December 16th, 2002

Cable Franchise Board

   MEMBERS PRESENT

Stuart Rhodes, Chairman
Pete Blum, Member
Daniel Lynch, Member
Charlie Hiltunen, Member
Dollyne Pettingil-Sherman

  OTHERS PRESENT

Stuart Rhodes, chairman, brought the meeting to order.

 The first item on the agenda was the approval of the October 21^st, 2002 and November 21^st, 2002 minutes.  Motion was made by Mr. Blum seconded by Mr. Lynch.  Motion carried unanimously.

The next item on the agenda was the Cable Communications Agency report.  Mr. Maultra stated the Cable Agency and its counsel has been working with both cable operators with regard to a proposed resolution on cable theft. 

The Cable agency continues to work with Action Audits with regard to reviewing recent rate increases to the limited basic tier and associated equipment by both cable companies.  Stating the Agency has been assisting the consultant to secure additional information as he requires.

The Cable Agency has met with both cable operators WKOG’s facilities in hopes of getting the low power TV station on the digital tier with both cable TV providers.

The Cable Agency attended a seminar sponsored by the Information Services Agency (ISA) with regard to E-GOV and Homeland Security.

The Agency has been invited and have accepted to serve on the Indiana Association of Cities and Towns (IACT) Telecommunications Task Force.  Stating the Agency participated a number of years ago and IACT is wanting to reinstate this group.

The Agency has been invited to participated with ISA, the Mayor’s Office, Public Works and MECA (Metropolitan Emergency Communications Agency) to begin discussions with regard to a master telecommunications plan for the City and County.

Mr. Maultra states the Agency has added numerous content to the Cable Agency website and will add more for those interested in recent cable developments.  Stating the Agency receives considerable feedback on its web site.

The Cable Communications Agency has been serving as a consumer advocate to Indianapolis and Marion County cable subscribers in assisting them in mediating cable complaints on their behalf.

The next item on the agenda was the Channel 16’s Government Access programming report presented by Mr. Montgomery.  Mr. Montgomery highlighted some activities of Channel 16 for the month of November.  There were 49 hours and 16 minutes of new Live and Tape delayed meeting coverage.  Special Events productions totaled 15 hours and 34 minutes.  In Kind Services were 2 hours and 19 minutes.

There were 10 Series programming for a total of 6 hours.

Total in November for all categories was 73 hours, 9 minutes.

The next item on the agenda was the Cable Operator’s Management Report.  Mr. Aldridge stated Time Warner has met all requirements of report of customer contact.

Mr. Aldridge stated Time Warner ran in-kind promotional spots for American Cabaret Theatre, Phoenix Theater, American Heart Association, City of Indianapolis (1)-Microchip your pet, (2) Spay/Neuter your pet, The Indianapolis Opera and the Kidney Foundation of Indiana.  The value of these in-kind spots was $58,025.

Time Warner was a major sponsor at the Family Services annual fundraiser, at the Indianapolis Colts Complex.  The division provided advertising support and an item for the event’s silent auction.  The event raised several thousand dollars for support of Marion County Families.

Time Warner Cable was one of the sponsors of the 1^st annual 100 Black Men of Indianapolis fundraising Dinner Dance at the Indianapolis Marriott.  The organization raises funds to support leadership education and gender responsibility programs for African American males within Marion County. 

Time Warner was one of the major sponsors of the 2002 FaithFest held at the Indianapolis fairgrounds in November.  FaithFest is a jubilee of entertainment,

education and enlightenment.  It is a day of fellowship and faith.  Bringing together people of all ages, races and denominations.  The division provided over $10,000 dollars of support for the event.

Provided support to the Indiana Chapter of Hemophilia of Indiana’s annual Holiday Poinsettia fundraiser.  Not only did the division purchase plants and also assisted in community delivery.

The division adopted a United Way family in need for the Thanksgiving Holiday.  Through an internal fundraiser, the division’s employees raised enough funding to not only provide a wonderful Thanksgiving feast, but was able to provide a plethora of food and household supplies for the week following Thanksgiving.

The Public Relations Manager continues to serve the community through membership on the Indianapolis Public Schools Education Foundation (IPSEF) board, a member of the Indianapolis Press Club, and the president of Hemophilia of Indiana, Inc. 

The next item on the agenda was Comcast management report.  Mr. Apple stated Comcast had an increase of customers in November.  Incoming calls were 56,668 received and 54,976 handled; 90.23% of calls answered in 30 seconds or less.  Busy rate was 0.5%.  There were 64 interruptions for the month.  Service call report was 99.05% of total service calls addressed within next business day.  Comcast completed 99.96% of its installation within 7 days or by customer request.  There were 65 written complaints in the month of November.

Construction was completed in 3 new subdivision and several apartment complexes.

Comcast aired over 175 hours of local community interest programming in November.

Comcast produced and aired “Election 2k2” featuring 74 candidates for political office.  The 2-1/2 hour program ran three times on Comcast channel 18 prior to the November 5 election.

November 21 was Comcast Customer Appreciation Night for the Radio City Rockettes performance at the Murat Theatre.  Comcast customers were given the opportunity to purchase tickets for the performance prior to the general public on sale date. 

The next item on the agenda was the TOTALink of Indiana presentation.  Mr. Roberts reported TotaLink submits this Month Report to keep the Board and public aware of TOTALink’s continued efforts and interest in the Indianapolis market.

TOTALink appreciates the action at the November Cable Board meeting granting an extension until June 18^th, 2003, for the dated by which construction of the network is to begin.  The company will continue to be in contact with City officials and Mr. Maultra’s office to develop a mutually acceptable working arrangement for the INET and to resolve any other outstanding issues.

Stating there have been no significant developments in the financial markets since the last Board meeting for us to report.

TOTALink, along with its owners, Utilicom Networks, and our partner, Vectern Corporation, continue to closely monitor the financial market conditions and watch for a positive direction in the capital markets, which would enable funding of the Indianapolis Cable System.

The next item on the Agenda was the ETC report.  Mr. Harris stated “Education News Parents Can Use” is a series produced by the U.S. Department of Education.  The program features brief segments, including one-on-one interviews, “how to” demonstrations, and brief conversations with parents, educators, community, business and religious leaders, and education experts.  This program will be seen on ETC 1 and 2.

Operation School Bell, a part of the Assistance League of Indianapolis, has provided ETC with apiece profiling their program and the help it provides to students in the Indianapolis area.   Referred student are given the opportunity to shop, for free, for new clothing and supplies.  The profile will be seen on both ETC Channels.

“The IPS Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration” will be seen live on ETC 1 on Friday, January 17^th from 10:00am to 11:00am.  The program will feature performances by students and speeches by representatives of the Governor and Mayor’s office honoring the life and work on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.   The program will be live from IPS Crispus Attucks Middle School.

Mr. Harris also stated there was a miscommunication with Time Warner and ETC signing of contracts. 

Under new business, the Cable Franchise Board approved the 2003, Cable Franchise Board new meeting times for the year.  (See meeting schedule on www.indygov.org/cable website.  Motion was made by Mr. Hiltunen, seconded by Mr. Lynch to approve the 2003 Cable Franchise meeting times.  Motion carried unanimously.

 The next item on the agenda was the closed captioning contract.  Mr. Montgomery stated this Agreement for Closed Captioning Services for City-County Meetings (Agreement), entered into by and between the City of Indianapolis Cable Communications Agency (Agency) and Captivision, (Contractor), is executed pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth. (see agreement).

 This agreement shall commence on January 1^st, 2003 shall terminate on December 31^st, 2003 unless earlier terminated in accordance with this Agreement.

 For Closed captioning service provided under this Agreement, Agency shall compensate Contractor at a rate of Ninety-five dollars ($95.00) per hours, with a minimum of Seventy-five ($75.00) per City Council meeting.  Contractor shall bill on (15) minute increments, beginning with the designated meeting stat time.  Contractor shall not bill for prep time prior to the meeting.

 The Agency shall pay Contractor a one-time set-up fee in the amount of Two Hundred ($200.00) to cover all testing to Agency’s encoder and to caption a trail meeting prior to the start of the regular captioning schedule.

 Also, the Contraction shall submit on a monthly basis a properly itemized invoice for services performed and expenses incurred under this Agreement and shall cooperate with and provide any other necessary information to Agency.  Agency shall pay Contractor within thirty days after receipt of such properly itemized claim forms.

 Motion was made by Mr. Hiltunen, seconded by Mr. Blum, to approve the Closed Captioning Services for City-County Meetings entered into by and between the City of Indianapolis Cable Communications Agency and Captivision. 

 Under old business, Rick Maultra addressed the Theft/Vandalism resolution.  Mr. Maultra stated it’s important for the City and the Cable Agency to take a stand on cable theft.  Stating, hopefully the board will approve this resolution.

 Motion was made by Mr. Hiltunen, seconded by Mr. Blum to approve the Resolution of the Indianapolis-Marion County, Indiana, Cable Franchise Board supporting cable operators’ efforts to curtail vandalism of cable facilities and theft of cable services.  Motion carried unanimously. 

 Mr. Nesbit thanked the Board for approving the Cable Theft Resolution.  Also, stated Time Warner would like the next cable Board meeting to be hosted at Time Warner Cablevision, to give Time Warner the opportunity to demonstrate the V.O.D., D.V.R. and HD/TV products.

 The Cable Board agreed to have the meeting at Time Warner Cable, 3030 Roosevelt Ave, Indianapolis In, Tuesday, January 21^st, 2003 at 5:00p.m. 

 Mr. Rhodes adjourned the meeting.