Laserfiche WebLink
Minutes of the Sherburne/Wright County Cable Commission <br /> Thursday, February 5, 2015, 1:00 p.m. <br /> Elk River City Hall <br /> Present: Chair Tina Allard, Commissioners Mert Auger, Kitty Baltos, Phil Kern, Cathy <br /> Shuman,Annita Smythe, Gina Wolbeck, and Lee Ann Yager. <br /> Absent: Commissioners Jim Bart,Terri Boese,Dan Carlson,and Shane Fineran. <br /> Also present: Technology Consultant Bill Bruce, Attorney Bob Vose, and Video Production <br /> Coordinator Mark Davis. <br /> 1. Call to Order- Chair Tina Allard called the meeting to order at 1:00 p.m. <br /> 2. Approval of Minutes—October 9.2014 and November 24.2014 <br /> Commissioner Auger motioned to approve the October 9,2014 and November 24,2014 <br /> Sherburne Wright Cable Commission Meeting Minutes. Seconded by Commissioner <br /> Yager,unanimous ayes,motion carried. <br /> 3. Treasurer's Report - Mert Auger presented the financial statements as outlined in the staff <br /> report. <br /> Commissioner Kern motioned to accept the Financial Statements as presented. <br /> Seconded by Commissioner Wolbeck,unanimous ayes,motion carried. <br /> 4. Attorney's Report <br /> a. Charter/Comcast Update - Commission Attorney Bob Vose reviewed the Charter and <br /> Comcast transaction agreement and noted that the Commission approved a Resolution <br /> authorizing the reorganization of Charter at the last Commission Meeting. Vose also <br /> informed the Commission that the merger is no longer inevitable explaining that is has <br /> become questionable if the FCC will approve the merger. Time/Warner's stock value has <br /> significantly dropped, the FCC has set a high bar for broadband requirements, and <br /> Comcast has issues with potential federal regulations regarding Internet access.Vose also <br /> discussed that the MN Public Utilities Commission (MPUC) has opened investigations on <br /> Charter and Comcast regarding their phone service activities that could affect their phone <br /> consumers. <br /> b. Charter Converter Update —Vose discussed Charters conversion from old style analogue <br /> to digital,which created channel changes for all government access channels and Channel <br /> 19. Vose noted that member cities are currently being charged for boxes, yet it is still <br /> unclear exactly what pricing charter is proposing. Vose also noted that it appears Charter <br /> is also unclear on how many boxes each City has. Vose recommended that Commission <br /> City's don't pay for box fees until this matter is settled. Vose discussed that Charter is <br /> proposing to structure a relationship similar to the St. Cloud model. Commission Auger <br /> discussed the need to consider implementing a cap on how much the Commission will <br /> cover. Commissioner Kern stated his frustration that Charter feels they can change the <br /> terms of the Franchise. Commission Members noted that Charter has been a good partner <br /> with the Commission up until this past year and questioned if our situation is unique. <br /> Vose noted that this issue is unique to the State of Minnesota, but not necessarily <br /> nationwide. Discussion was held that better communication from Charter at the onset of <br /> their digital conversion would have alleviated some of the problems that we have <br /> experienced.Vose also informed the Board that Century Link has announced its intention <br /> to operate a cable service in the near future and will most likely be seeking a Franchise. <br />