Minutes

1. Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Rollin Bible.

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

Members Absent: Scott Hugstad-Vaa, John Magnusson

Others Present: Charles Grawe, Mark Moore, Ellen Martin, Denis LaComb

2. Approval of Agenda

Mr. Bible asked for changes to the agenda.

MOTION: Mr. Westbrook moved, second by Mr. Brown to approve the agenda as presented. Motion passed unanimously.

3. Approval Minutes of September 9, 2002

MOTION: Mr. Westbrook moved, second by Mr. Brown, to approve the minutes of September 9, 2002. Motion passed unanimously.

4. Discuss Charter Communications Proposed Rate Decrease for the Basic Cable Service Tier Effective February 2003

Mr. Grawe explained that the only rate regulatory authority the City has pertains to Basic Tier Rates. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) uses a formula to determine the allowed rate for Basic Cable Service. The City has the ability to challenge the application of the formula submitted by the cable company.

Charter is proposing a Basic Rate decrease from $13.59 per month to $13.44 per month.

Mr. Grawe said the Council Resolution 1993-242 called for a public hearing for cable rate changes. He noted that there have been large changes to the federal law concerning cable television and the public hearing might not be applicable when the FCC has largely resumed control of any rate regulation and federal law has deregulated the premium rates. He suggested that a replacement resolution might be appropriate to reflect the new federal communications laws. Mr. Grawe said he would propose a new policy and e-mail it to the Committee members for review.

MOTION: Mr. Westbrook moved, second by Mr. Rodell, to recommend to the City Council that the Cable Television Regulations and Policy be changed to reflect the changes in the federal cable law in 1996 and subsequent years. Motion passed unanimous.

5. Continuation of Task Force Report and Public Input on Public Access Television

Mr. Grawe said the proposed 2003 budget does not include any new staff positions. Mr. Moore said the Rosemount City Administrator has left the City. He said both Rosemount and Farmington are exploring more programming options. Mr. Moore said he would like to see if Rosemount and Farmington have an interest in a joint venture.

MOTION: Mr. Westbrook moved, second by Mr. Brown, to table the discussion of the public access proposal until the meeting of March, 2003. Motion passed unanimously.

6. 4th Quarter Complaint Log

Mr. Moore distributed the 4th Quarter Complaint Log.

7. Coordinator's Report

Mr. Moore briefly went over the items listed in the report. Three items for future consideration include: migrating from the current analog media to digital media for playback and storage, purchasing a non-linear editing system, and adding a part-time position for the joint powers commission.

8. Other

Mr. Moore noted that the description of an adjustment to the line-item labeled "franchise fee" in the Charter billing was changed to more accurately describe the action taken by the Company.

Mr. Moore noted that Frontier Communications is adjusting the Caller ID rate.

Ms. Martin said she is checking on the status of the interconnect that would allow Channel 6 to return. She said Charter has completed its end of the interconnect, but that Telcast has not built its system to the border.

Ms. Martin said Charter is launching an e-bill program so that customers can pay their bill through the web.

Ms. Martin said Charter launched the Charter Channel on channel 14.

Mr. Martin said HDTV is coming to the system in the near future. There will be a charge for the necessary box. At this time, HBO is the only channel available on the system in HDTV.

9. Adjourn

MOTION: Mr. Rodell moved, second by Mr. Brown to adjourn the meeting. Motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 7:47 p.m.