TICC 06-20-07
Technology, Information & Communications Commission
Special Meeting
June 20, 2007
MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER
Andy Radle called the meeting to order at 7:07 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Commissioners present: Andrew Radle, William Allen, Wallace Iimura, Luke Lam,
Peter Friedland, Eric Klein
Commissioners absent: none (C~ar1ie Ahern - resigned prior to the meeting)
Staff: Rick Kitson, Linda Lagergren
Guests: Linda Grodt, Diane Benedetti, Andrea Dorey
APPROVAL OF MAY 2, 2007 MINUTES
7. Wally Iimura / Bill Allen moved and seconded to approve the minutes as submitted. Eric
Klein abstained. The motion carried 5-0
COMMUNICATIONS
Oral: Diane Benedetti asked if the City Council approved the budget item for' grant money that
the Better Part (Cupertino Senior Television) had requested. The money was for equipment to
convert VCR tapes to DVD and then put in the Library for the public. Kitson said the budget
item had been approved.
Eric Klein and Andy Radle will check the possibility of video on demand for the Better Part
shows. The Commission requested interest in touring the City Channel control room and
speaking with the staff. Rick Kitson will arrange a time for the Commission to tour the City
Channel.
The Commission elected to take item #8 out of order.
NEW BUSINESS
7. Utility User Tax Ballot Measures - David Woo, Finance Manager spoke to the
Commission about the Utility User Tax Ballot Measure. The City's tax ordinance was
written before the introduction of new communication technologies. This ballot measure
would replace the existing telephone users' tax with a modern communications users' tax,
while keeping the rate at 2.4%. The tax would be imposed on charges for the use of
telecommunication services (defined to include "the transmission, conveyance, or routing of
voice, data, audio, video, or any other. information or signals to a point, or between or
among poiIits, whatever the technology used") and ancillary telecommunications services
(defined as "services that are associated with or incidental to the provision, use or
enjoyment of telecommunications services").
. Like the existing telephone users' tax, the communications users' tax would be a general tax,
with its proceeds deposited into the City's.general fund.
This measure will be brought before the City Council at the July 3rd meeting for approval. If
approved, it will go on the November ballot.
The City will do a poll to see what the public's viewpoint is before taking it to Council.
The COnimission discussed the language of the ballot measure in detail.
Eric Klein made a motion that based on the information presented and the handout provided of
the summary text titled "Utility User Tax Ballot Measure" the ballot measure text is overly
broad and the Commission could not support it in its current form. The Commission
recommends the measure be modified to cover the insurance of revenue continuation of
telephone services to include cell phones and landlines. Peter Friedland seconded the motion.
All in favor. Motion carried 5-0.
Written: Commission reviewed the following written communications.
2. April 25, 2007 - Comcast letter re: price and package changes.
3. May 4, 2007 - Comcast letter re: programming changes.
4. Comcast monthly service report for April 2007.
5. May 17, 2007 - Comcast letter re: NFL Network.
6. Graph charting monthly percentage of Comcast call answered in 30 seconds.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS -
8. 2007 Work Program Subcommittee reports.
Communication subcommittee - Wally Iimura / Luke Lam
Wally had no report at this meeting. Luke stated he was talking to each of the council members
regarding e-services. He spoke to Kris Wang, Richard Lowenthal, Dolly Sandoval and Dave
Knapp. He still needed to speak to Orrin Mahoney and Patrick Kwok. He said the e-services
that are most often used were for recreational services, permits and business licenses. Dolly and
Richard both thought that we already had a great program. Luke said he needed time to work
with city staff to understand what they think they want to do with the content management
system.
The commission asked Rick to send them an electronic version of the old e-services plan.
Wireless subcommittee -Andy Klein /Peter Friedland / Eric Klein
Peter reported on the survey that was done. There were 616 responses to date. Rick will check
to see if the City has any software to do an analysis on the survey. The subcommittee will meet
to analyze the data.
"
Legislation & Regulations subcommittee -- Bill Allen
Charlie Ahern had been working on the service side of the subcommittee. Bill Allen was
. working on the PEG side of the legislation and regulation. The committee will look at what is
required in an ordinance for collecting PEG fees.
Reports from:
9. Mayor's Meeting with Commissioners - Peter reported on the Mayor's meeting.
10. City of Cupertino - No report
11. Video Franchises - No report.
ADJOURNMENT
Peter Friedland / Eric Klein moved and seconded to adjourn the meeting at 10:00 p.m. The
motion carried unanimously.
SUBMITTED BY:
APPROVED BY:
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