TC 05-02-01Telecommunications Commission
Regular Meeting
May 2, 2001
MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Chair David Eggleston at 7:02 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Commissioners present: David Eggleston, Ernest Tsui, Sal Algeri; Reggie Duhe
Commissioners absent: L.T. Guttadauro
Staff: Rick Kitson, Linda Lagergren
AT&T: Eddie Garcia
De Anza: Bob Haber
Guests: Linda Grodt, Bob Lewis, Bill Ingalls
APPROVAL OF APRIL 4, 2001 MINUTES
Algeri made a motion to accept the minutes as submitted, Tsui seconded the motion. All in
favor. Duhe abstained. Motion passed.
COMMUNICATIONS
Oral: Linda Grodt said she began training on the digital editing equipment.
Written: No other written communication was submitted.
Commission agreed to take New Business items out of order.
NEW BUSINESS
Infrastructure Alchemy Associates - Bob Lewis of Alchemy Associates presented to the
commission a brief history of their company and services. Bill Ingalls spoke about Alchemy's
involvement in current projects.
Commission wanted Kitson to check with Colin Jung on the consultant agreement and see if
any of the roles of this company would overlap. Commission also wanted a list of the city's current cell
site leases and revenues, an updated map and current vendors and municipal properties available, and
the status of the consultant's contract.
OLD BUSINESS
Activities Calendar. The producer's meeting was moved to July 9~.
Report on Internet Access Forum - Eggleston sent an e-mail to AT&T (cable), Pacific Bell
(DSL), Earthlink (satellite), and Sprint (wireless) with requirements and the format of the presentation
for the Interact Forum. He also asked for the names of the presenters.
Eggleston asked Commission about extending the Forum to 1-½ hours with each presenter
having 15 minutes for their presentation. Algeri was concerned if we made it longer, it may seem more
like a sales pitch then a presentation. Commission agreed to four presentations of 10 to 15 minutes
each and a question and answer period of 15 to 30 minutes.
Kitson said he would put the Forum on the cover of the June Scene and include an article
inside. He will also put information about the Forum on the City Channel and distribute press releases
to the World Journal, Sing Tao Daily and San Jose Mercury News. Kitson stated that the residents
would be able to send e-mail questions to him in real time during the presentation.
The Commission agreed to each be prepared with 2 or 3 questions for the presenters.
Commission was in agreement that this forum would not be a sales pitch to the citizens, but an
informational forum.
Tsui volunteered following the Forum to write a summary of the event. The City will send
complimentary tapes of the Forum to the presenters.
NEW BUSINESS
Annual Report Video - Commission viewed the annual report video.
Reports from:
AT&T: AT&T representative Eddie Garcia stated that the 30-day notification, of AT&T's
price increase of $6 per month, was distributed. He also mentioned that the number of installation
requests were high. The phone stats for calls answered within 30 seconds were at 73%, which is below
the standard of 90%. In November of 2000, City Manager Dave Knapp sent a letter to AT&T regarding
phone call response not meeting the standards called out in the franchise. Since then AT&T hired a
Vice President of Customer Care. At that time all types of calls were handled at all locations. Now
calls are spread out to three call centers with each call center specializing in a particular type of call
(technical, new service or upgrades, and billing). The expectation of AT&T is to again meet the 90%
standard. Garcia said AT&T is having a difficult time hiring and retaining people in the call centers.
Currently, they have 100 vacant slots.
Garcia invited the commissioners to tour the San Jose Call Center. He will work with Kitson to
set up a tour. Tsui asked i£the commission could also tour the Switching Center in Santa Clara. Garcia
said he would work with Kitson to set up both tour dates.
City of Cupertino: Kitson reminded the commission of upcoming events - Cupertino Day at
Blackberry Farm on May 5 and the Interact Forum on June 6.
De Anza College: Bob Haber reported that two of the access producers have been honored
with first place awards in the National Hometown Video Competition sponsored by the Alliance for
Community Media. The Citizen of the Year and Star Award tapes have been completed. Haber gave a
DV-Cam copy of the two events to the City Channel. Haber said they are making great progress
training the producers for non-linear editing. They shot another episode of Vegetarian Indian Gourmet.
ADJOURNMENT
Tsui made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:06 p.m.; Duhe seconded and the motion passed
unanimously.
ATTEST:
City Clerk
APPROVED
ChairpersOn(/