TC 04-02-03Telecommunications Commission
Regular Meeting
April 2, 2003
MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Ernest Tsui called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL
Commissioners present: Ernest Tsui, Sal Algeri, Steven Ting
Commissioners absent: L.T. Guttadauro, David Eggleston
Staff: Rick Kitson, Linda Lagergren, Colin Jung, David Knapp
Guests: Linda Grodt, John Heather, Barbara Bartchenfeld, Dan Morales, Diane DiBennedetto
APPROVAL OF FEBRUARY 19, 2003 MINUTES
Algeri made a motion to approve the minutes as submitted. Ting seconded the motion. All in
favor. Motion passed.
PRESENTATIONS
City Manager David Knapp attended the Commission meeting and requested input on the
Commission's role. Knapp said in the future he would also be including a Commission section in his
annual report. The Telecommunications Commission is a very specific charge and very technical and
the City couldn't have afforded to hire people with this kind of expertise.
The following items were addressed and the commission hopes to see progress in these areas:
Franchise renewal
Educational Grants
Continue COPA Program (Cupertino Outstanding Producers Award)
Liaison between City and Comcast
Informational articles in the Scene
Educational Forums
E-Government Plan (including an electronic method to apply for commissions)
Wireless Services
Wireless Master Plan
Additional comments from Commissioners: Good support from staff
Feel isolated from Council and would like to be linked closer to Council
COMMUNICATIONS
Oral: Linda Grodt distributed articles from San Jose and Campbell on cable franchises. She
said she attended the Producers meeting and a discussion took place regarding the negotiations belween
the City and De Anza. There was some confusion on what was taking place.
Barbara Bartschenfeld stated that several Community Access producers planned to
attend the City Council meeting.
Dan Morales asked if the Commission had received his grant request. Staff said we had
not received it, but if he could get a copy to us we would be happy to put it on the next agenda.
Kitson reported on the status of the negotiations between the City and De Anza on
public access. Kitson said when the City was first approached by De Anza it was stated that De Anza
couldn't work under the current contract. The City would need to contribute more for the same level of
service. With the current budget constraints, the City cannot provide any more financially. Discussions
are continuing. Both De Anza and the City want to have public access. Kitson said he would continue
to report any progress on this topic.
Written: A thank you note from Charles Johnson for receipt of the public access grant was
included in the Commissioner's packets.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Wireless Master Plan -- Colin Jung reported on the progress of the Wireless Master Plan.
Andrew Rattner of Ridge Communications (representing Verizon Wireless) was in attendance. Rattner
said he read the ordinance and had some minor comments.
Jung said drafts of the Wireless Master Plan had been sent to the private industry and Verizon
had been the only one to respond. Jung said he needed to get the Telecommunications Commissions
response to the plan. The Telecommunications Commission will send a recommendation to the
Planning Commission and then the Planning Commission will forward a recommendation to City
Council.
Discuss ideas for topics for upcoming Informational Forum - Commission agreed to
continue this item.
NEW BUSINESS
Public Access Grant Request form John Heather - The Commission was concerned that the
grant was for advertising costs for a celebration and not a production program. Heather said they were
going to tape the celebration and turn it into a taped show. The Commission said according to the
guidelines the grant could defray costs of production fees. The Commission recommended that John
Heather come back with specific costs of producing the program and the Commission would consider
it at that time. No action was taken.
Comcast Internet Cable Rates / Comcast Report - Kitson distributed a letter fi'om Comcast
on the fee increases. The fee increases are actually part of the new bundling of services. He also
distributed the Comcast customer service report. For the first time in months Comcast has met the 90%
requirement of calls answered within 30 seconds.
Reports from:
City of Cupertino - Kitson indicated that the transfer of ownership language is our franchise
agreement is very weak. We will bc changing that language.
De Anza College - No report
MISCELLANEOUS
Activities Calendar. The date of the CREST Awards ceremony was changed from the 15th of
May to the 16th of May.
Action Item List: Two items were added to the Action Item List.
1. Write article after implementation of EFM on what residents can do to improve
cellular coverage.
2. Clarify the Producer Grant language.
ADJOURNMENT
Algcri made a motion to adjourn thc meeting at 9:40 p.m. Ting seconded the motion and the
motion passed unanimously.
SUBMITTED BY:
Linda Lagergren, Recording Secretary
APPROVED BY:
Chairperson