11-24-2014 SWC MIN - Laserfiche WebLink

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• Minutes of the Sherburne/Wright County Cable Commission Monday, November 24, 2014, 1:00 p.m. Buffalo City Hall Present: Chair Tina Allard, Commissioners:Mert Auger, Cathy Shuman,Terry Boese,Peggy Carlson,Marlene Kittock,Shane Fineran,LeeAnn Yager Absent: Commissioners Phil Kern and Gina Wolbeck Also present: Technology Consultant Bill Bruce and Attorney Bob Vose 1. Call to Order Chair Allard called the meeting to order at 1:07 p.m. 2. Potential Notice of Violations Attorney Vose stated Charter made the decision to make their services digital and encrypted, which now requires a converter box in order to view their programming. He reviewed a proposed Notice of Franchise Violations with the Commission. Attorney Vose stated some cities may have received a municipal survey document notice from Charter regarding their changeover to digital services.He asked cities to let him know if they have been charged any install fees for converter boxes. Ms. Shuman stated the City of Monticello was told earlier in the year that they would be able to get free service at their public works building but then were later told they needed to pay for installation fees. LeeAnn Herrera,Director of Government Relations for Charter—Stated that in order to remain competitive, Charter has made the decision to upgrade its systems. She stated customers have been asking for faster Internet speeds and having the converter boxes makes theft of services non-existent. She stated when the 2005 franchise was implemented;no one knew what technology would be like in the future. She stated cities are being given one converter box for free. Ms.Herrera stated the 621 Order allows cable companies to deduct in-kind services from city franchise fees. She stated the monthly rate for Standard Definition (SD) or High Definition (HD)is $6.99 per month per converter box. Mr.Bruce stated he was given different quotes from Charter on what the actual fee would be so he ended up installing the SD boxes in member cities.He stated he wouldn't have put in the SD boxes if he knew he could have gotten the HD ones for$6.99. Ms. Herrera stated they charge one rate if only one or two boxes are installed,but if there are more than 10 boxes they charge a business rate.Ms.Herrera stated schools typically get a box and them,historically;the cable service is redistributed on the inside of the building. Ms.Bremer stated converter boxes are not part of free services. She stated Charter and the Commission should continue discussions to work out a billing/payment solution. Ms. Shuman stated it sounds like Charter doesn't want to work out a solution based on past history. Attorney Vose stated he disagrees with Ms.Bremer and Ms. Herrera on all points regarding the 621 Order and the charges for the converter boxes.