Minutes_Cable TV Commission 11.17.21Copyrighted
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
Nov. 17, 2021
HYBRID MEETING (City Council Chambers & Virtual)
MEMBERS PRESENT: Pauline Maloney (Chair), Jennifer Tigges, Ron Tigges
MEMBERS ABSENT: Garrett Heidenreich, Alan Vincent
OTHERS PRESENT: Randy Gehl & Felicia Carner, City of Dubuque; Nathan Smith, Dubuque
County Historical Society
• Maloney called the meeting to order at 5:03 p.m.
Acceptance of the Agenda
Upon a motion by RTigges, seconded by JTigges, the agenda was accepted by a vote of
3-0.
Approval of the Minutes of June 16, 2021
• Upon a motion by RTigges, seconded by JTigges, minutes of the June 16, 2021,
meeting were approved 3 - 0.
Public Input
• There was no public input.
Staff Update
Gehl introduced Felicia Carrier, the City's multimedia specialist, who started employment
with the City in August and filled the vacancy created by Cable TV Coordinator Craig
Nowack's retirement. She spoke briefly with the commission and summarized her
previous experience. Gehl also provided an update on the equipment upgrades made
recently to the City Council Chamber's broadcast system to enhance broadcast
functionality of virtual meetings. These improvements were funded with a PEG grant
recommended by the commission in summer 2021.
Review of PEG Fund
As a follow-up to the commission's request that Gehl further explore any flexibility in
allowable uses of PEG funds, Gehl provided commissioners with a copy of related
language from the state code related to cable franchises. Because Mediacom operates
in Dubuque under a state franchise, it applies to use of Dubuque PEG funds. The code
states, "All fees collected pursuant to this subsection shall be used only for the support
of the public, educational, and governmental access channels." Gehl also said he
discussed the issue with City of Dubuque Senior Counsel Barry Lindahl and former
Cable TV Coordinator Craig Nowack, both of whom agreed that use of the funds is
limited to support of PEG channels. Gehl informed the commission that the only way to
change the state franchise language would be through state legislation. Commissioners
briefly discussed the issue and agreed with the assessment, but expressed a desire for
more flexibility with use of the funds.
PEG Fund Request
Gehl and Carner reviewed a $30,200 PEG fund request (attached) from the City of
Dubuque for equipment needed for CityChannel Dubuque to continue its growth of high -
quality programming at an increased quantity. A memo explaining the request and three
bids/estimates for the equipment were submitted with the lowest -bidding vendor
recommended as the source. Commissioners reviewed the request and equipment list
and asked Carner several questions. Upon a motion by JTigges, seconded by RTigges,
the commission voted unanimously to recommend PEG funds be used for the purchase.
Gehl then explained the Dubuque County Historical Society had submitted a PEG fund
request the afternoon of the previous day (Nov. 16). He then shared the application
form that was submitted along with the equipment lists/estimates and additional
clarifications that were provided by DCHS. Nathan Smith, a DCHS employee, was a
virtual participant in the meeting and answered several questions from commissioners
related to the request. Commissioners agreed that additional detail was needed to fully
consider the request. Smith said he would provide the requested details and the
commission agreed to review at its next meeting, which they agreed would be held at 5
p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 8, for the purpose of further consideration of the request.
Next Meeting
Commissioners agreed to meet at 5 p.m on Wednesday, Dec. 8. Gehl said the meeting
would again be held in a hybrid format, offering in -person or virtual participation.
Adjournment
• Upon a motion by RTigges, seconded by JTigges, and 3-0 vote, the meeting adjourned
at 5:49 p.m.