Minutes Cable Regulatory 11 9 05
MINUTES OF CABLE TV REGULATORY COMMISSION MEETING
NOVEMBER 9,2005
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
Randy Gehl, City of Dubuque Public Information Officer
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 distributed.
2. Approval of the Minutes of the Sept. 14, 2005 Meeting.
Upon a motion by Mr. Webster, seconded by Mr. Tigges, the Minutes of the Oct.
12, 2005 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. Gehl reported that the City is working on connecting several fire houses yet
this fall. The Municipal Services Center is connected. Future projects (next year)
include the remaining fire houses and the new fire training facility on Seippel
Road.
Mr. Webster said Qwest is adding more DSL nodes on the west end of town
5. New Franchise.
Mr. Gehl reported that the October 20 deadline for the first quarter Franchise Fee
and PEG Capital Grant adjustment was met. Mediacom also provided the City with
organizational chart and maps of their facilities in ROW by October 28, as outlined
in the franchise. Ms. McMullen also mentioned an October 31 deadline for a
lease. She said she needs a copy of the updated lease in order to request
payment. Mr. Gehl said Assistant City Manager Cindy Steinhauser is working on
the issue.
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6. Mediacom General Manager's Report.
Ms. McMullen provided a map of the progress being made on the I-Net's
construction. She said Darin Dean reported that Mediacom is continuing on the
conduit for the core sites and trying to combine two projects that will involve
running the backbone fiber from Highway 20 Arterial to the Industrial Center West,
which would include Keystone and the Fire Training Facility. By focusing on the
conduit this year, she said next year they can quickly and easily pull the fiber. Ms.
McMullen then indicated on the map where the conduit and some fiber is being
installed. She said she will occasionally bring updated maps to the commission
meetings for updates. She added that the majority of the project will be done next
year - with all the core sites done by June of 2006 with the entire project
completed by December 2006, possibly sooner.
A brief discussion on the results of the municipal utility referendum vote followed.
7. Staff Report/Update on Cable TV Coordinator Search
Mr. Gehl explained the City is considering acquiring the Federal Building and is he
is currently studying costs associated with converting the Federal Building's
courtroom into the City Council Chambers. He also provided an update on the
Cable TV Coordinator search. The position has been offered to a finalist who has
asked for time (Nov. 16) to consider the offer.
A brief discussion of City Channel 8's conversion to digital format followed. Mr.
Ellis asked that the commission receive information on the major projects for the
new cable television coordinator once one is selected.
Mr. Gehl provided additional details on the City's potential acquisition of the
Federal Building and noted that he has a meeting next week to visit the facility and
examine the courtroom with a vendor regarding potential costs to equip the room
for broadcasts of City Council meetings. A brief discussion of the facility's current
condition and tenants followed.
8. Future Agenda Items
The same agenda items were recommended for the next meeting.
9. Adjournment.
Upon a motion by Mr. Tigges, seconded by Mr. Webster, the meeting was
adjourned at 6 p.m.
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