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July 17th, 2000
City County Building Indianapolis IN 46204
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Carlton Curry, Chairman Stuart Rhodes, Member Charlie Hiltunen, Member Ray Patel, Member Terry Thurman, Member
OTHERS PRESENT:
| Ken Montgomery, Channel 16 |
Shary Johnston, Time Warner |
| Mark Apple, Comcast |
Al Aldridge, Time Warner |
| Rick Maultra, Cable Communications |
Andrea Price, PAI |
| Janise Winston, Cable Communications |
James Smashey, Public |
| Mark Harris, ETC |
Blair Karsch, Public |
| Bob Borgmann, Office of Corp Counsel |
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Chairman Curry brought the meeting to order at 2:30 P.M.
SUMMARY OF DISCUSSION
The first item on the agenda was the update on cable rate filings/Crowe Chizek review for Comcast/Time Warner. Mr. Borgmann stated the City has received from Crowe Chizek the report in regards to Time Warner rate filings stating there were no exception noted in the report. Mr. Borgmann also stated he has not received the Comcast report.
The next item on the agenda was the Cable Agency Report. Mr. Maultra presented the Cable Agency report which highlighted the events that have taken place at the Cable Agency in the last month. Mr. Maultra stated the Cable Communications Agency sent a letter to Time Warner requesting additional information as it pertains to their proposed merger with American On Line and how that will affect certain aspects of their operations locally.
The Cable Agency staff has been involved in the preparation of the 20001 budget, that has included meetings with the Controller’s office and writing the budget narratives.
In June, Mr. Maultra stated he had the pleasure of serving as conference chair for the NATOA (National Association of Telecommunications Officers & Advisors) annual Legal Conference. The conference was considered a success based upon the feedback.
The Cable Agency has been serving as a consumer advocate in mediating a number of cable television complaints received by its office.
The next item o the agenda was the Channel 16 programming report presented by Mr. Montgomery. Mr. Montgomery highlighted some activities of Channel 16 for the month of June. In June there were 45 hours and 57 minutes of Live and Tape delay meetings. Special Events production totaled 23 minutes and 05 minutes.
In the area of In-Kind Production, Channel 16 had 1 hour and 7 minutes. Series programming totaled 4 hours and 30 minutes. Total new production for the month of June was 74:39:00 hours.
The next item on the agenda was the Cable Operator’s Management Report. Mr. Aldridge stated Time Warner lost 714 customers in the month of June. Installations for the month were 3,209; completed 2,372. Incoming calls for the month were 37,381 received and 36,696 handled. Service calls for the month were 3,178 received and 1,476 completed. Time Warner had 87 outages including 10 planned outages. There was no construction in Time Warner area in the month of April. The Community Involvement report supports a list of different community events and programming (see report).
The next item on the agenda was the Comcast’s Management Report. Mr. Apple stated Comcast will be adding new programming beginning in the month August. Stating specifically Comcast basic customers will begin to receive Discovery health and Court TV. Mr. Apple stated these two new channels are additions to the new channel 64 which is already being broadcast. Mr. Apple also stated there are 34 new networks that’s coming to its Digital Cable customers in the month of August.
Mr. Terry Thurman questioned Mr. Apple in regards to Comcast rate increase, stating he is unhappy with the latest rate increase.
Mr. Apple stated Comcast had a good month with a gain of over 1200 customers in its 3 tiers. Incoming calls for the month 70,240 received and 69,639 handled. Comcast had 147 outages for the month. Comcast received and scheduled 2,601 service calls and completed 2,585; 99.6% were completed within 36 hours or by customer request. Installations: Comcast scheduled 2,917 and completed 2,801; 100% were completed within 7 days or by customer request.
Mr. Apple stated Comcast aired 31 hours of local programming on Comcast leased access and an additional 106.5 hours of lease access programming on WAV-53. Comcast aired and produced 10 public service announcements and 16 newsmaker segments. For Comcast events and sponsorships; see report.
The next item on the agenda was the ETC report. Mr. Harris stated ETC has put together its Annual Report covering the last year. Stating it includes information about management, programming, budget and future objectives of the organization.
ETC1/ETC2
Beginning in August, the ETC will make a major change in the way the two channels are programmed. ETC1 will have programming targeting information aimed at birth through Grade 2. ETC2 targeting University throughout the rest of life.
WTBU, Butler University Television, has contacted the ETC about relocating its playback site at the WTBU Building the 28th and Illinois. ETC has also discussed with Ken Montgomery of Government Television the possibility of using WTBU Building as the location as a joint Education/Government Television Facility. Future updates will come.
The ETC have been contacted by Ignatius University. The University produces education courses for television and has inquired about putting program courses in the Indianapolis area. The ETC is looking into the programming option.
The ETC will make its Public Purpose Grant request at the August Cable Franchise Board meeting.
Under Old business, AOL/Time Warner cable transfer. Mr. Borgmann stated he received a 394 form for request of transfer Time Warner to AOL. Mr. Borgmann stated the transfer between Comcast and Time Warner has come to a hold. Time Warner has asked for a alternative transfer with AOL.
Mr. Curry explained the application process between the City and Comcast/ Time Warner regarding the swap of services. Stating Time Warner has discussion with AOL in regards to ownership transfer. Mr. Curry stated there are two business transaction both pending neither completed. Mr. Curry also stated Time Warner is asking for the permission to continue with the Time Warner/AOL transaction in the event that the Time Warner/Comcast swap does not happen. Mr. Curry stated Comcast has consented to signing a letter requesting Time Warner/AOL transfer if needed. Mr. Curry proceeded to reading the resolution between Time Warner/AOL.
Mr. James Smashey, Andrea Price and John Gipson, commented on the Time Warner/AOL transfer and their desire to have public access in Marion County.
Motion was made by Mr. Rhodes, seconded by Mr. Patel, to approve the resolution authorizing the transfer of control of Time Warner Entertainment-Advance Newhouse Partnership Cable Television Franchise to America Online, Inc. Motion carried unanimously.
The next item on the agenda was the approval of May 15th, 2000 for the Cable Board’s meeting. Motion was made by Mr. Rhodes seconded by Mr. Hiltunen to approve the minutes. Motion carried unanimously.
Under New Business, Cable Agency/Channel 16 proposed budget. Motion was made by Mr. Rhodes, seconded by Mr. Hiltunen, to send the budget to the City County Council for further process. Motion carried unanimously.
Public comment Jim Smashey asked the board to solve the local origination issue, Blair Karsch introduced himself to the new Board Members and his desire to bring back Public Access. Andrea Price spoke on the non existing of Public Access stating that the public would like to see public access to return. Carl Kaksuleff asked questions in regards to Time Warner’s plan to build in Comcast area, he also asked about the rules and policy meeting on August 1st, 2000. Mr. Kakasuleff also stated he would like to see public access in the Indianapolis area.
There were no further business to come before the Board, Mr. Curry adjourned the meeting at 4:30 p.m.
___________________________________ Mr. Carlton Curry, Chairman
___________________________________ Mr. David Leonard, Member
___________________________________ Mr. Ray Patel, Member
___________________________________ Mr. Terry Thurman, Member
___________________________________ Mr. Stuart Rhodes, Member
___________________________________ Charlie Hiltunen, Member
___________________________________ Ms. Janise L. Winston
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