Agenda - Council - 12/20/1983 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

I I I ! I I I I I I I I I I I I i I QUAD CI?IES CABLE COMMUNICATION CO.WLMISSION SPECIAL MEETINC October 6, 1983 The special meeting of the Quad Cities Cable Communication Commission was called to order by Chair Dan Hartman at 5:06 p.m. in Anoka City Hall. Members present: Donald Jacobson, Pat Lindquist, Jerry Dulgar, Dean Rick, John Beissel, Donald Melrose and Ben Deemer. Member absent: Sue Van Wagner. Staff present: Thomas Creighton. Group W: Dick Beens and Terry O'Connell. Chair Hartman said that he felt the NATOA Conference was very worthwhile. He found alot of cable administrators were frustrated with the relationship with the cable companies. He pointed out that all the cable systems had professionals representing their systems. He felt that the Quad Cities should consider hiring an administrator. Pat Lindquist also felt the conference was very good. She expressed her appreciation that each session was held twice. Jerry Dulgar stated that he felt we had a good franchise after talking to others concerning theirs. Many did not have penalties. He also felt that we should look at hiring someone to administer our franchise. Donald Jacobson questioned if any other cities with Group W franchises were contacted at the conference. Chair Hartman said that they did talk with an individual from Dubuque, Iowa and that they were having alot of trouble with their franchise and Group W also. They have hired auditors to audit Group W which is costing approximately $18,000. Chair Hartman felt that the Quad Cities should host a meeting of all the cities within the region who have Group W franchises. Donald Melrose questioned Terry O'Connell as to how many cities had administrators. Mr. O'Connell stated that in the Twin Cities all have administrators or are in the process of hiring one. Thomas Creighton said that he felt the Quad Cities should hire an administrator, so that he could do the work of an attorney rather than staff duties. Pat Lindquist said that our system was in the middle of completion where some cities had their systems completed early and others were over 1 year late. Thomas Creighton also encouraged the meeting between all the cities in the area who were working with Group W. He felt this would be extremely beneficial. It was moved by Don Melrose and seconded by Pat Lindquist to pursue the idea of having a Group W Midwest Regional Conference. Ail voted in favor. Motion carried. Jerry Dulgar felt that since the local access programming was not completed immediately that extra advertising should be done to promote this. Terry O'Connell presented Group W's Progress Report. He said that tie distribu- tion system will be fully operational by October 14 and the building will be complete on October 14 or 15th. He also said that the access channels regular programming started last week. Thomas Creighton said that approximately 16% of ~he entire system Wasn't balanced. He questioned Group W if they had hired the missing acces~ staff. M~. O'Connell sa~ ~,.~.' wc~ taken out of the 1983 ~udget, but were included in th~ 84 budget.