The meeting was called to order at 7:01 p.m. by Chairperson Bible.

Members Present: Rollin Bible, Jerry Brown, John Magnusson, Dale Rodell, David Westbrook

Members Absent: Scott Hugstad-Vaa

Others Present: Charles Grawe, Mark Moore, Dennis LaComb, Ellen Martin, Max Thompson

Mr. Bible asked for changes to the agenda. No changes were requested. The agenda was approved as presented.

Mr. Mark Moore introduced himself and provided a brief history of his experience in cable television.

Mr. Thompson gave a brief history of Metricom. He said the first version of the Ricochet service is in place in Washington D.C., Seattle, and San Francisco. He showed the current transmitter/receiver the company is proposing to mount at a frequency of seven receivers per square mile. He said the company prefers light poles with the "cobra hood" style fixtures with photo sensors. The company is able to attach the receiver onto the photo sensor electrical input, thereby eliminating the need for a separate power source. Mr. Thompson noted the receiver must be mounted in the horizontal position to function properly. He explained that the wireless modems transmit their signals to the transmitter/ receiver boxes that then relay the signal to larger receiving sites where it can be passed through a wired network. He said the drawback to the service is that it will not function in zones with poor transmitter/receiver coverage.

Mr. Thompson said Metricom is talking with 75 cities in seven counties at this time. His initial recommendation to the company was to locate on a permit basis, but Metricom rejected the permit process in favor of agreements with each community. He said he negotiated the model agreements with both the League of Minnesota Cities and the Suburban Rate Authority attorneys. He said the cities that have passed the agreement to date include Chaska, Maple Plain, Mounds View, Bayport, Birchwood, and Medicine Lake. Mr. Thompson said the company is not working with the Cities of Rosemount, Lakeville, or Farmington as part of the initial penetration. He said Metricom is working with the local power companies to establish a set fee for each site location.

Mr. Thompson explained the agreement with the City is granting the right to work in the right of way. Metricom would have separate leases of $60 per pole for locating on the poles. Metricom will continue to pay any other standard permit fees. In addition, Metricom will pay a Right of Way Reimbursement Fee equal to 1% of gross revenues for users in the City.

Mr. Thompson noted that Metricom has not erected any poles to date. He said there may be areas in the City in which there are not adequate poles and thus no Metricom service. He noted, however, that there are often more existing poles than cities realize. He presented a draft location map for the City of Brooklyn Center. He said he does not expect to need to trench power to pole locations. He noted that the typical pole height needed for the service is 20 to 40 feet. Metricom will reimburse $1,000 for staff and legal fees associated with the approval and will provide 10 free wireless Internet subscriptions to the City for its use.

Mr. Bible asked about the Metricom saturation plan. Mr. Thompson said the plan is for full saturation of all communities in the Metro area. Mr. Bible asked about the target market. Mr. Thompson said it is largely residential users, but also business users. Mr. Bible said the transmitter/ receiver boxes would be prohibited on the decorative light poles in the downtown area. Mr. Bible also expressed his concern that the number of existing adequate poles may be very limited. He asked what Metricom would do if the existing poles did not provide adequate coverage. Mr. Thompson said Metricom typically uses about three percent of all the poles in a community. He said in general, the company would rather provide limited service than no service to a community.

Mr. Thompson said the goal is to have the system in place by the end of the year. Mr. Bible said it could take some time to review the issues and make a recommendation to the City Council. He said staff will meet with the City Attorney to review the proposed agreement.

Mr. Grawe briefly explained the City is in the process of constructing a new City Hall building. He explained the construction budget includes $150,000 for audio/video equipment in the new building. He said the City has an additional $90,000 capital grant from the Cable Company. Mr. Grawe said it may be desirable to upgrade equipment with funds from the capital grant at the same time new equipment is purchased for the new building. Mr. Grawe passed out a draft sheet of estimated equipment costs.

Mr. Moore briefly explained the proposed audio and video systems.

Mr. Bible said he was comfortable using the capital grant funds in this manner as the grants were intended for such expenses. The Committee’s consensus was that such expenditures in conjunction with the City Hall project were acceptable.

Mr. LaComb presented four possible government programming series. There was a brief description distributed about each of the programs. The Public Works and City Government programs are projected at $800 per episode at four episodes. The Art Series and Historical Series are projected at $1,250 per episode at four episodes per year. Mr. Bible asked about the current programming budget. Mr. Grawe said the current programming budget includes $17,100 for Apple Valley Today, $4,800 for Police Beat, $4,800 for Hook & Ladder, and $3,600 for additional new programming. This is a total of $30,300 for annual programming expenses. Mr. Bible said he wanted to recommend three additional programs for 2001.

Mr. Westbrook moved, second by Mr. Brown, to recommend the City Council approve two additional programs for 2000, one on City Government and one on Public Works, as proposed by Mr. LaComb. Motion passed unanimous.

Mr. Westbrook moved, second by Mr. Magnusson, to recommend the City Council increase the total government programming budget to $45,000 and provide for three additional programs. Motion passed unanimous.

a. Mr. Grawe said Charter is raising its rates for the premium channels.

Mr. Rodell moved, second by Mr. Brown, to adjourn the meeting. Motion passed unanimous. The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m.