Minutes_Cable TV Commission 06.16.21Copyrighted
December 6, 2021
City of Dubuque Consent Items # 1.
City Council Meeting
ITEM TITLE: Minutes and Reports Submitted
SUMMARY: City Council Proceedings of 11/15 and 11/22; Arts and Cultural Affairs
Commission of 11/23; Cable TV Commission of 6/16 and 11/17; Civil
Service Commission of 11/04; Historic Preservation Commission of
11/18; Human Rights Commission of 9/13; Library Board of Trustees of
9/23; Library Board of Trustees Update of 11/18; Zoning Board of
Adjustment of 10/28; Proof of Publication for City Council Proceedings
of 11 /01.
SUGGESTED Suggested Disposition: Receive and File
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
City Council Proceedings of 11/15/21 Supporting Documentation
City Council Proceedings of 11/22/21
Arts and Cultural Affairs Commission Minutes of
11 /23/21
Cable TV Commission Minutes of 6/16/21
Cable TV Commission Minutes of 11/17/21
Civil Service Commission Minutes of 11/04/21
Supporting Documentation
Supporting Documentation
Supporting Documentation
Supporting Documentation
Supporting Documentation
Historic Preservation Commission Minutes of 11/18/21 Supporting Documentation
Human Rights Commission Minutes of 09/13/21 Supporting Documentation
Library Board of Trustees Minutes of 09/23/21
Library Board of Trustees Minutes of 09/23/21
Library Board of Trustees Update of 11/18/21
Zoning Board of Adjustment Minutes of 10/28/21
Proof of Publication for City Council Proceedings of
11/01/21
Supporting Documentation
Supporting Documentation
Supporting Documentation
Supporting Documentation
Supporting Documentation
DRAFT MINUTES OF CABLE TV COMMISSION MEETING
June 16, 2021
VIRTUAL MEETING
MEMBERS PRESENT: Pauline Maloney (Chair), Jennifer Tigges, Ron Tigges, Alan Vincent
MEMBERS ABSENT: Garrett Heidenreich
OTHERS PRESENT: Randy Gehl, City of Dubuque
• Maloney called the meeting to order at 4:29 p.m.
Acceptance of the Agenda
• Upon a motion by JTigges, seconded by RTigges, the agenda was accepted by a vote of
3-0.
Approval of the Minutes of May 12, 2021
• Upon a motion by RTigges, seconded by JTigges, minutes of the May 12, 2021, meeting
were approved 3 - 0.
Public Input
• There was no public input.
Review of PEG Fund
Maloney asked Gehl to share information on the commission's previous questions about
use of PEG equipment funds. He reported that he consulted with Barry Lindahl, the
City's senior counsel and former city attorney, and Craig Nowack, retired cable TV
coordinator, to review the commission's questions. Gehl said requests for funding are
qualified as long as it gets used to produce programming (or to facilitate the
broadcasting of programming) on the PEG channels. Currently, the funding cannot be
used for equipment for streaming video, or projecting video, or for distributing video
within a facility. The equipment must be used to produce or broadcast content on a PEG
channel. Gehl cited section 477A.7 of the 2007 state franchise law, as amended, which
states, "All fees collected pursuant to this subsection shall be used only for the support
of the public, educational, and governmental access channels." Commission discussion
followed regarding the validity and enforcement of the requirement in the context of the
Iowa Utility Board's responsibility for the state franchise agreement. Commissioners
expressed interest in exploring the possibility of additional flexibility regarding use of
PEG funds to support the production of videos that support/enhance the community that
would be shared through non -PEG channels like YouTube, for example.
Commissioners asked Gehl to research options to redirect PEG funds to benefit more
people and report back at a future meeting.
Mediacom Update
• Gehl reported that the City was notified by Mediacom of its intentions move from its
Asbury Road location this year and to subsequently cease support of the public access
channel. He noted that Mediacom is not required to support the channel beyond
transmitting it. Gehl said Mediacom has asked the City for direction on what to do with
the channel as well as related equipment at Mediacom's facility. He noted that very little
programming is being provided for this channel and the City's view is that the City does
not have the capacity to take over operations of this channel and that it is not utilized
enough to warrant it. Two occasional sources of programming for the channel are two
local churches, both of which stream the same videos on YouTube channels and
Facebook. Commissioners agreed with the assessment and commented that the
elimination of this channel is one less option for public access programming, in the
context of the previous agenda item. Gehl said he plans to consult with contacts at
Loras College and the Dubuque Community School District regarding possible use of the
public access equipment as well as their future plans for the two education access
channels.
Staff Update
• Gehl provided an update on the search to fill the Multimedia Specialist position and said
the goal is to have the position filled within the next few weeks.
Next Meeting
• Commissioners agreed to meet on an as -needed basis. Next meeting tentatively
requested in September to continue PEG Fund discussion and meet new Multimedia
Specialist.
Adjournment
• Upon a motion by Vincent, seconded by RTigges, and 3-0 vote, the meeting adjourned
at 5:08 p.m.