Minutes Cable Regulatory 5 11 05
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MINUTES OF CABLE TV REGULATORY COMMISSION MEETING
MAY 11,2005
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: Kathy McMullen, Mediacom
Merrill Crawford, Cable Franchise Administrator
Mr. Ellis called the meeting to order at 5:31 p.m.
1. Acceptance of the Agenda.
Upon a motion by Mr. Webster, seconded by Mr. Tigges, the agenda was
approved as distributed.
2. Approval of the Minutes of the December 8, 2004 Meeting.
Upon a motion by Mr. Webster, seconded by Mr. Tigges, the Minutes of the
December 8, 2004 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 had nothing new to report.
5. Franchise Renewal.
Mr. Crawford told Commissioners that the City Council had approved the terms of
the proposed franchise renewal agreement, the Cable Right-Of-Way Ordinance,
and the renewal of the hub site lease with Mediacom. The Commission discussed
the process and elements of the documents. The agreement and Ordinance will
take effect upon publication in the Telegraph Herald.
6. Mediacom General Manager's Report.
Ms. McMullen reported that she is in the process of developing spreadsheets to
assist in the management of the various obligations and timelines under the new
franchise.
Mediacom will increasing the maximum download speed of its cable modem
service from 3 megabits per second to 5 megabits per second at no additional
charge, and will be introducing a premium 10 megabits per second maximum
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download speed service for an additional charge. Also, alpha testing of voiceover
IP telephones will begin this month and Mediacom will be installing WI-FI
transmission equipment in the downtown and Ice Harbor area for the upcoming
America's River Festival, and then will configure a permanent WI-FI "cloud" over a
similar area for public use.
7. Cable Franchise Administrator Report.
Mr. Crawford told Commissioners about the receipt of proposals for a feasibility
study of a possible municipal communications utility for Dubuque. The City Council
will be asked at the next meeting to approve a contract for the conducting of such
study over the summer months.
8. Future Agenda Items.
Time will be devoted to future agendas to focus on elements of the new franchise
agreement and Ordinance.
9. Adjournment.
Upon a motion by Mr. Tigges, seconded by Mr. Webster, the meeting was
adjourned at 6:15 p.m.
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