Minutes Cable Regulatory 3 10 4
MINUTES OF CABLE TV REGULATORY COMMISSION MEETING
MARCH 10, 2004
CITY HAll ANNEX CONFERENCE ROOM # 2
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Charles Ellis, Chairman, Ron Tigges, Walt Webster
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Michael Pratt. One seat remains vacant on the Commission.
OTHERS PRESENT:
Merrill Crawford, Cable Franchise Administrator
Mr. Ellis called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
1.
Acceptance of the Agenda.
Upon a motion by Mr. Webster, seconded by Mr. Tigges, the agenda was
approved as distñbuted.
2.
Approval of the Minutes ofthe February 11, 2004 Meeting.
Upon a motion by Mr. Webster, seconded by Mr. Tigges, the Minutes of the
February 11, 2004 meeting were approved as distributed.
3.
Public Comment.
There was no one present to address the Commission.
4.
Telecom Projects in Dubuque.
Mr. Crawford told Commissioners he had just seen the updated five-year street
improvement plan which includes those streets which will have telecommunications
conduit installed as a part of new construction or reconstruction, through the year
2009.
5.
Franchise Renewal.
Mr. Crawford told Commissioners that the City Council had authoñzed the
advancing of the formal cable franchise renewal process concurrently with
continuation of informal negotiations, as provided in the 1984 Cable Act. At the
upcoming City Council meeting, the Council will be asked to award a contract to a
financial consultant who will perform a two-year franchise fee payment analysis of
Mediacom's system, and Council will be asked to expand the scope of services
assignments for the Miller & Van Eaton law firm and CBG Communications, our
technical consultants, for tasks associated with the formal process. CBG
Communications will then begin work on a technical audit of the Dubuque system
and Miller & Van Eaton will begin work on a formal request for renewal proposal,
work on new ordinances, etc.
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6.
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8.
10.
11.
MC/cj
Negotiators for Mediacom and the City met on February 26, 2004 and are
scheduled to meet again on March 18, 2004 and are attempting to set up
additional communications on a regular basis between technical experts from both
sides to concentrate on the design of the I-Net. Mediacom attorneys have asked to
speak privately with Rick Ellrod of the Miller & Van Eaton firm pñor to our next
negotiating session on the 18th.
City Expo.
Mr. Crawford led a discussion with Commissioners on possible topics for the Cable
TV Division booth display at City Expo, which will be the evening of Tuesday, Apñl
13. Following discussion, there was consensus that a display of old photographs
and old cable-related equipment compared to its new counterparts might be
interesting and relatively easy to create, honoñng the fifty years of cable in
Dubuque, which will be marked later this year.
Mediacom General Manager's Report.
There was no report as Mediacom Manager Kathy McMullen was in Des Moines
for the "Dubuque Night" event.
Cable Franchise Administrator Report.
Mr. Crawford distñbuted a number of media articles, including two regarding
Mediacom's current financial status as subscñber levels decrease, but revenues
increase, two articles regarding cable rate increases and the reaction of Congress,
and an article in the Chicago Tribune regarding the Comcast bid to purchase the
Walt Disney Company.
Future Agenda Items.
There were no additional items were suggested for the next meeting agenda.
Adjournment.
Upon a motion by Mr. Tigges, seconded by Mr. Webster, the meeting was
adjoumed at 6:00 p.m.
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