2.0.A SWCSR 04-22-2021 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Minutes of the Sherburne/Wright County Cable Commission Thursday, April 23, 2020, 1:00 p.m. (Buffalo City Hall) Present: Chair Tina Allard (Elk River), Vice Chair Gina Wolbeck (Big Lake), Commissioners Mert Auger (Buffalo), Laureen Bodin (Buffalo), Terri Boese (Dassel), Phil Kern (Delano), Rachel Leonard (Monticello), Audra Etzel (Rockford), Shane Fineran (Watertown) Absent: Andrew Carlson (Cokato), Sabrina Hille (Maple Lake) Also present: Technology Consultant Bill Bruce, Attorney Bob Vose, Production Coordinator Jackson Groskruetz 1. Call to Order – Chair Allard called the meeting to order at 1:00 p.m. 2. Approval of Minutes – August 15, 2019 Commissioner Wolbeck made a motion to approve the August 15, 2019 minutes as presented. Seconded by Commissioner Boese, unanimous ayes, motion carried. 3. Treasurer’s Report a. Financial Statements – Treasurer Mert Auger presented the financial statements as outlined in the staff report. He noted a balance of $548,372.04. Commissioner Fineran made a motion to accept the financials. Seconded by Commissioner Wolbeck, unanimous ayes, motion carried. b. Return of Franchise Fees – Treasurer Auger recommended returning franchise fees to the cities for the next two quarters, subject to review of the account balance. Commissioner Kern spoke in support of the recommendation as it is consistent with commission precedent and will help cities handle an uncertain financial future during the COVID-19 pandemic. Commissioner Kern made a motion to refund franchise fees for the next two quarters to the cities. Seconded by Commissioner Boese, unanimous ayes, motion carried. c. Approval by consent of commissioners to have position of treasurer remain with the City of Buffalo. Following Commissioner Auger’s retirement in April 2020, incoming Commissioner Bodin will become treasurer. 4. Attorney’s Report a. FCC Order 621 Update – Commission attorney Bob Vose reiterated the potential impacts from the recent FCC order, but he noted Charter has not attempted to offset any costs yet. No public position on the order from any of the large cable providers nationwide. b. New Internet Providers – Mr. Vose highlighted a statewide influx of new, smaller wireless and fiber optic internet providers. Commission cities have limited control over the entrance of these companies into their communities since they are not seeking cable franchise agreements. c. Technology during COVID-19 Pandemic – Mr. Vose commented on how many organizations are seeing the value of technology in real-time. He spoke about the importance of the Commission’s work to provide a platform for virtual meetings, public information, etc. and urged commission members to stay committed to this work going forward.