Minutes Cable Teleprogram 12 3MINUTES OF CABLE COMMUNITY TELEPROGRAMMING COMMISSION MEETING
DECEMBER 3, 2002
CITY HALL ANNEX CONFERENCE ROOM # 2
MEMBERS PRESENT: Sr. Carol Hoverman, Paul Kohl, Jennifer Tigges, Dan Wilant
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Three seats remain vacant on the Commission
OTHERS PRESENT:
Jim Barefoot, Mediacom
Merrill Crawford, Cable Franchise Administrator
Mr. Kohl called the meeting to order at 5:40 P.M.
1. Acceptance of the Agenda.
Upon a motion by Mr. Wilant, seconded by Sr. Hoverman, the agenda was
accepted as published.
2. Approval of the Minutes of the November 12, 2002 Meeting.
Upon a motion by Sr. Hoverman, seconded by Ms. Tigges, the Minutes of the
November 12, 2002 Commission meeting were approved as distributed.
3. Public Comment.
There was no one present to address the Commission.
4. Access Equipment Expenditures.
Mr. Kohl noted the comments of a previous meeting of Craig Schaefer of Loras
College regarding the condition of the mobile production unit, some of its
equipment, and particularly camera cables. Mr. Barefoot led a discussion of the
physical deterioration of the twenty-year-old vehicle, and the difficulties with
equipment and camera cables. He reminded Commissioners of the
approximately $60,000 remaining in the access equipment fund and the
uncertainty as to how the City and Mediacom will agree to resolve the payment
or expenditure of that money. He also told Commissioners he had sent several
defective camera cables (also twenty years old) to the Mohawk repair facility for
analysis of whether the cables can be repaired. Mr. Crawford reported on having
found prices for several lengths of new camera cables that would connect the
Hitachi FPC10 camera heads to their camera control units directly, eliminating
the need for repair of the old cables and eliminating the need to use "pigtail"
cable adapters on each one. The Commission discussed various interim options
to meet needs until the long-term agreement regarding PEG access and
equipment funding is reached in the franchise renewal process. It was moved by
Ms. Tigges, seconded by Sr. Hoverman, that if needed for replacement, the
Commission allocate $15,000 for cables for remote van use. Following further
discussion, Mr. Wilant offered an amendment in the nature of replacement
wording to that of the motion, as follows: "The Commission grants Mediacom
x
authorization to pay for new cables for the remote van, not to exceed the amount
of $15,000." The proposed amendment was accepted by the mover and
seconder of the original motion. The motion, as amended, passed unanimously.
Mr. Barefoot and Mr. Craw~ord agreed to proceed within the authorization
granted by the Commission, as soon as word was received from Mohawk
regarding the feasibility and cost of repairing the old cables.
Access Programming.
Mr. Barefoot and Mr. Crawford noted there had been diminishing activity on the
part of Dubuque Championship Wrestling (DCW) and a little bit of activity from
the Dubuque Wrestling Federation (DWF), but that overall the backyard wrestling
phenomenon as manifested on Dubuque's public access channels appears to be
in a decline compared to this time last year.
Mr. Crawford did report on a complaint received from a citizen regarding
imported programming produced by Platform Productions advocating positions
that the citizen viewed as pro-Iraqi and anti-American, to the extent of
threatening national security.
Mediacom Cable Franchise Renewal.
Mr. Crawford reported to Commissioners on his review, editing, and return of
preliminary draft components of the CBG Communications report identifying
Dubuque's cable-related needs. One rather important technical component
remains to be reviewed and returned, after which a full report should be
generated by CBG and we can begin face-to-face negotiations with Mediacom in
earnest. Also, Mr. Crawford informed the Commission that he and the City's
attorneys were recommending an additional temporary franchise extension to
March 31, 2003 to enable the remainder of the ascertainment process and face-
to-face negotiations and public hearing to take place.
Mediacom Cable Report.
Mr. Barefoot told Commissioners that the hallway carpeting in the Mediacom
facility was being replaced with tile and that during that work, access to certain
facilities may not be possible.
The Media 100 non-linear editing system has been delivered to ECS in
Davenport for repair.
Cable Franchise Administrator Report.
Mr. Crawford answered questions about the request for proposals that the City
has issued for a municipal cable/telecommunications feasibility study.
9. Future Agenda Items.
The next regular meeting of the Commission is tentatively scheduled for
Tuesday, January 7, 2003.
10. Adjournment.
Upon a motion by Ms. Tigges, seconded by Mr. Wilant, the meeting was
adjourned at 6.40 P.M.