Members Present: Dale Rodell, Rollin Bible, David Westbrook, Scott Hugstad-Vaa, John Magnusson, Jerry Brown

Members Absent:

Others Present: Gary Humphrey, Charles Grawe, Richard Kelley, Denis LaComb, Gary Shade, Nancy Ludwig, Cheryl Bittner, Mike Meier, Karen Martinez Paz, Carmelo Martinez, Laura Rosario, Danielle Rosario, Ruben Rosario

Mr. Bible explained that the purpose of the meeting is to assess the communities telecommunications needs. The meeting was prompted by the renewal of the current franchise agreement. Committee members introduced themselves.

Mr. Bible said that the Committee received a letter requesting that Marcus add the Univision Channel. Mr. Bible asked a series of questions to help prompt discussion.

Mr. Bible explained that the City had received several phone calls from business interests requesting improved telecommunications services. Representatives from these businesses said they were unable to attend the public meeting, but would send their requests in writing.

Ms. Ludwig volunteered to distribute a survey to businesses through the Chamber newsletter. There was brief discussion about businesses that have either not located in or have left their locations in Apple Valley due to inadequate telecommunications services.

Ms. Laura Rosario asked if the Committee only represents businesses. Mr. Bible responded that the Committee represents all citizens of Apple Valley. Ms. Rosario said that she had tried other avenues to get Marcus to provide Univision but was unsuccessful. She wanted to know how the Committee could help get the channel. Mr. Meier responded for Marcus and said that existing channel capacity is full. He explained that the fiber optic upgrade scheduled to begin in 1997 would allow for more channels. Ms. Rosario said that there is much interest in Univision now and wanted to know why another channel could not be replaced with Univision. Mr. Meier responded that it is difficult to remove existing programming. Ms. Rosario wanted to know how channel popularity is determined. Mr. Meier explained that Marcus sends out random surveys to households to determine what channels are desired. Mr. Carmelo Martinez said that his area was missed by the survey. Mr. Martinez expressed that the school district may also find a value in Univision for teaching. Mr. Meier responded by listing services which Marcus currently provides to the School District.

Ms. Laura Rosario asked how the City knows what the community needs for programming. Mr. Bible explained the Committee is holding the meeting for that same purpose. He said that he would make the Univision channel part of the agenda for franchise renewal. He further explained that the City can not force a cable company to carry a particular channel, but the City can try to persuade them to carry it.

Mr. Gary Shade asked the Committee to try to get Frontier to provide ISDN lines to residential customers.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:17 P.M..