Minutes Cable Regula 11 13 02MINUTES OF CABLE TV REGULATORY COMMISSION MEETING
NOVEMBER t3, 2002
CITY HALL ANNEX CONFERENCE ROOM # 2, 1300 MAIN ST.
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Charles Ellis, Chairman, Kevin Nekvinda, Ron Tigges, Walt
Webster
MEMBERS ABSENT: Michael Pratt.
OTHERS PRESENT: Merrilll Crawford, Cable Franchise Administrator
Mr. Ellis called the meeting to order at 5:36 p.m.
1. Acceptance of the Agenda.
Upon a motion by Mr. Tigges, seconded by Mr. Webster, the agenda was
approved as distributed.
2. Approval of the Minutes of the August 14, 2002 Meeting.
Upon a motion by Mr. Tigges, seconded by Mr. Webster, the Minutes of the August
14, 2002 Commission meeting were approved as distributed.
3. Public Comment.
There was no one present to address the Commission.
4. Status of Telecom Projects in Dubuque.
Mr. Crawford told Commissioners that the Telecorp monopole cellular tower in
Murphy Park had finally been painted. He also told Commissioners that the design
of the new water tower being planned for property near the intersection of JFK
Road and the Northwest Artedal would accommodate wireless telecommunication
facilities. In addition, City representatives are meeting regularly with the Iowa
Communications Network, the Iowa Department of Transportation, and America's
River, to assure that conduit and fiber connecting the ICN point of presence on
West 3rd Street with the America's River campus will be installed by next year.
Also, homeland secudty issues have begun to increase opportunities and
applications for local government to use the ICN.
Mr. Crawford told Commissioners that the spread spectrum radio link from the
County Courthouse to the Water Distribution facility was being replaced with optical
lasers, but that eventually the new Public Works facility next to Eagle Window and
Door on Kerper Boulevard would incorporate the Water Distribution operation and
the operations currently housed temporarily in another small City building. The
g
data communication and telephone systems will then be combined in the new
facility.
Franchise Renewal.
Mr. Crawford reported on the receipt earlier in the week of the long-awaited I-Net
portion of the CBG Communications future cable-related needs ascertainment,
This is a draft, which is being marked up by City and School representatives and
sent back to the consultants. One last technical component is expected from CBG,
regarding recommendations for the rebuild or upgrading of the main subscriber
cable network.
Further discussion regarding franchise renewal centered around potential impact of
the recent election results, opportunities to meet the community's need for local
television news, due to the local FOX affiliate decision to drop their local news
coverage, and technical opportunities afforded by fiber interconnects with other
communities, such as the direct importing of ABC, CBS, NBC, and FOX broadcast
signals in lieu of off-air reception at the headend.
Mediacom General Manager's Report.
A Mediacom representative was not present for the meeting.
Cable Franchise Administrator's Report.
Mr. Crawford reported on the status of the request for proposals for a feasibility
study of municipal telecommunications options, reported that the Federal
Communications Commission had conditionally approved the proposed merger of
AT & T and Comcast, and distributed a series of handouts regarding Mediacom,
the slow consumer acceptance of broadband due to pricing issues, and new ultra
wideband technology that holds promise for cable television.
Future Agenda Items.
There were no additional items suggested for the agenda of the next meeting.
Adjoumment.
Upon a motion by Mr. Tigges, seconded by Mr. Webster, the meeting was
adjourned at 6:29 p.m.
MC/cj
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