Minutes_Cable TV Commission 11 7 12MINUTES OF CABLE TV COMMISSION MEETING
November 7, 2012
CITY HALL ANNEX —1st FLOOR CONFERENCE ROOM #1
MEMBERS PRESENT:
MEMBERS ABSENT:
OTHERS PRESENT:
Alan Vincent (chair), Jennifer Tigges (vice- chair), Pauline Maloney,
Kevin Stevens, Sr. Carol Hoverman, Kathy McMullen.
Ron Tigges.
Craig Nowack, City of Dubuque
Craig Schaefer, Dubuque Community Schools
Mike Cyze, Dubuque Community Schools
Jeff Dyer, Dubuque Community Schools
Darin Dean, Mediacom
Jim Barefoot, Mediacom
Vincent called the meeting to order at 4:02 p.m.
Acceptance of the Agenda
Upon a motion by Hoverman, seconded by Maloney, the agenda was accepted 6 - 0.
Approval of the Minutes of October 10, 2012
Upon a motion by Hoverman, seconded by Stevens, the Minutes were approved 6 - 0.
Public Notice
There was no public input.
School District Update
Mr. Schaefer and Mr. Cyze provided an update on Dubuque Community School's educational access
channel and the changes that have taken place since July 2012.
PEG Channel Re- Location
Mr. Dean provided some clarification on the problem that some cable subscribers are experiencing
with regard to the PEG channels. The digital channel, 97, where the PEG channels reside falls within
the range of the FM radio broadcast spectrum. Any problems with a subscriber's fittings or wiring can
cause FM radio to interfere with and often block PEG channel reception. Now that Mediacom's digital
transition has progressed far enough, there is available spectrum outside of the FM radio realm that
largely alleviate this problem. Nowack asked what digital channel the PEG channels would move to,
would they still be sequential within that channel like they are now, and would the converter box
numbers remain the same. Mr. Dean said he would have to check on channel availability, but he
thought they could remain in sequence and at the same converter box number. Mr. Schaefer said he
would like to know what the new channel number would be, but that key for him was the fact that it
would allow more people to see the channels.
Stevens moved to request that the PEG channels be re- located to a digital channel number free of FM
radio interference in a manner where the PEG channels would be on consecutive, sequential
subchannel numbers. The motion was seconded by McMullen and approved 6 — 0. Mr. Dean
informed the Commission that some television sets map the channels differently than the cable
company sets them up, but mostly they match the setup.
Access Equipment & Facilities
Mr. Dyer presented a request for some production equipment for Sageville School and provided some
background into the video production he's done for the School District, primarily at Fulton School.
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He's requesting funding for a new camera, editing computer with software, and some production
accessories. He is open to suggestions as to which camera to buy. Vincent suggested that because
of Mr. Dyer's history of quality production the Commission should recommend getting a good camera.
JTigges thought that some of the prices in the application looked low. Nowack suggested that the
Commission approve up to a higher amount than is being requested to allow Mr. Dyer and Mr.
Schaefer to confer about the exact equipment to achieve the production goals.
Maloney moved to approve up to $15,000 to purchase the requested equipment. The motion was
seconded by Stevens and approved 6 — 0.
Disposing of Old Equipment
This item was tabled until a future meeting per the request of Barefoot.
Mediacom Cable Report
Barefoot reported that most things are back on line after the recent server problems. However, he is
going to contact ECS tomorrow to work out a few remaining issues.
Cable TV Report
Nowack declined to report in order to go to the Historic Federal Building to prepare for tonight's live
Zoning Advisory Commission meeting telecast.
Adjournment
Upon a motion by JTigges, seconded by Hoverman, the meeting was adjourned at 4:58 p.m.
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