November 1991

November 21, 1991 - 3:30 PM
Comcast Cablevision of Indianapolis
5330 East 65th Street

MEMBERS PRESENT

Donald Hargadon, Chairman
Donald R. McPherson, Board Member
Joe Rink, Board Member
Robert Lugar, Board Member

MEMBERS ABSENT

Julian Martinez Jr., Board Member

STAFF PRESENT

Steve Neff, City Legal
John Knox, Government Cable Channel 16 Studio Manager

The meeting was called to order by Chairman Donald Hargadon.

Motion was made by Mr. Donald McPherson to approve the minutes of:
October 10, 1991 - Regular Session
October 29, 1991 - Special Session
of the Cable Franchise Board meetings, with noted correction on the October 10, 1991 minutes, it was seconded by Mr. Robert Lugar, motion carried.

Topics of Discussion

Mr. Donald McPherson stated that his schedule has not permitted him to revise/review the Walker DataSource: Cable Television Subscribers Survey Questionnaire and requested that this item be tabled until the next scheduled Cable Franchise Board meeting, it was seconded by Mr. Joe Rink, motion carried.

Mr. Jerry Murray, Comcast Cablevision, reviewed with the Cable Franchise Board members the maps of areas which Comcast Cablevision is currently servicing.  Mr. Murray stated that the areas in yellow are currently being served by Comcast.  The areas that are shaded orange are under construction and will be completed by year-end.  Also, Mr. Murray further stated that they are construction in low density areas that has streets looking at plot maps to see if there is a reason and/or density suitable enough to build.  The outside areas that are not marked does not have any streets.  Also there are no large areas of houses that are not being served or in the process of being built.

Mr. Donald McPherson asked if any of those areas being served are under the line extension policy.  Mr. Murray responded that none of these areas are paying a fee to have service hooked up to their homes.  Further if there are under 40 homes per mile and if an area requests service, Comcast Cablevision would have to write in the franchise to say that they would build, but those individuals will have to share in the cost in the ratio that there are less than 40 homes per square mile.  In the last three years they have had no requests for that type of service.

Mr. Joe Rink stated that there are areas still on the map that are not shaded and asked if those areas are mostly farm land?  Mr. Murray stated that it is generally one road that runs down through those areas, as opposed to several sacks off a particular area.  Mr. Murray further stated that at this point he would be surprised if any of the unshaded areas would have densities of 15 homes per mile at least to the Marion County border.

Motion was made Mr. Bob Lugar, to accept Resolution No. #3 - 1991, (Establishing 1992 Board Meeting dates), and it was seconded by Mr. Joe Rink, motion carried.

Old Business

Ms. Amy Warner, representing the Educational Television Cooperative, (ETC) and IUPUI, passed out materials to the Cable Franchise Board members of ETC's financial and programming status reports.  Ms. Warner reviewed the materials on the revenue, which included encumbered funds with the Cable Board members.  Further, Ms. Warner pointed out that the "Member Institution In-Kind Contributions" category now will include the City of Indianapolis' $75,000.00 contribution to provide intern and the programming/equipment support.  Further, the In-Kind contributions of 96% are in programming and the other 4% is in management.

Mr. Joe Rink questioned the personnel and programming totals and wanted to know what consists of the programming.  Ms. Warner responded that the total of $566,000.00 is looking at programming that is produced by the schools outside any of the commitments from the City of Indianapolis.

Mr. Bob Lugar asked if Comcast Cablevision is fulfilling their past commitment.  Ms. Linda Haywood, ETC's Vice-President, stated that their are four main players in ETC's whole operation and they are: City of Indianapolis; American and Comcast Cablevisions; and two interns.  The interns work with both cable companies to provide some of ETC's programming.  Ms. Haywood further stated the one of the interns and herself has completed two programs at Comcast Cablevision and the production crew is wonderful.  Also, some programming is lined up at American Cablevision and they have also been super in the past.

After further discussion from Ms. Dana Anderson, ETC's intern, Ms. Amy Warner, IUPUI and the Board members was shown an edit sample tape of ETC's programming.

Ms. Haywood reviewed ETC's 1992 goals as follows:

• 10% increase in school participation

• Add a totals of 100 hours of elementary school programming and senior adult programming

• establish a comprehensive marketing plan to increase community and school awareness in Educational Access programming

• 10% increase in locally produced programming

ETC is confident they can meet these new goals and achievements.  The Cable Franchise Board members commended ETC efforts.

Mr. John Knox, Manager of Government Cable Channel 16, stated that WTBC TV 69 at Butler University is wanting to re-broadcast portions of Channel 16's programming.  Mr. Knox also pointed out that this would not cost any additional funds.

The Cable Board members reviewed Butler University's draft on the outline of the agreement which they would like the City of Indianapolis to enter into with their organization.  After further discussion, it was determined to have City Legal look at the Franchise Agreement and the Joint Programming Agreement draft to make any revisions if needed.  Further discussion on this matter will be discussed at the next Cable Franchise Board meeting.

Mr. Jay Satterfield, American Cablevision, briefed the Cable Franchise Board members on Resolution No. 4, Itoh and Company Ltd.  This resolution is announcing an agreement to create a unique strategic partnership at the subsidiary level, to be known as Time Warner Entertainment Company, L.O. ("TWE").  Time Warner, through subsidiaries, will be the managing general partner of the TWE with full management, operational and creative control over TWE's cable and other business.

Mr. Steve Neff, City Legal, informed the Board members that there are corrections that will need to be made to this Resolution before it is approved.

After further discussion, motion was made by Mr. Joe Rink, to table Resolution No. 4 1991, until the next Cable Franchise Board meeting, and/or call a Special Cable Franchise Board Meeting if it is in the pleasure of the City-County Councilors, it was seconded by Mr. Donald McPherson, motion Carried.

Mr. Donald Hargadon, Chairman stated that he would like the Secretary to the Cable Franchise Board to forward the home and business numbers of each cable member to each Board member.

There will be no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

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