TC 11-04-98 Telecommunications Commission
Regular Meeting
November 4, 1998
MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Bill Mannion at 7:02 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Commissioners present: Bill Mannion, Ernest Tsui, Mike Winch
Commissioners absent: Sal Algeri, L. T. Guttadauro
Staff: Donna Krey, Linda Lagergren
De Anza College: Bob Haber
TCI: Dave Walton
Guests: Linda Grodt, Karen Bumett (FUHSD), Deborah Vanni 0Vlonta Vista High School)
APPROVAL OF SEPTEMBER 2, 1998 MINUTES
Mannion made a motion to approve the minutes as written; Tsui seconded and the motion
._ passed.
COMMUNICATIONS
Oral: Orodt reported "Silicon Kids" was a finalist in the WAVE awards. G-rodt attended the
WAVE awards in Reno. G-uttadauro also was present at the awards ceremony.
Written: Krey brought the FCC booklet for commission to review. The second page of an FCC
ruling denying Cupertino's appeal of TCI's expanded basic rate increase was distributed to the
commission. Krey also distributed to commission an e-mall from an irate TCI customer and her
response.
Commission agreed to take new business item - FUI-ISD (Karen BurneR) out of order.
NEW BUSINESS
Report from ItUItSD (Karen Burnett) - Bumett reported FUHSD students are currently
puffing on a full schedule of programming. Burner questioned if FUHSD had until the end of the
calendar year to use the grant money. Krey said yes. Burner reported they are moving at a snail's pace
but this coming year things are going to change. They will come back with another grant proposal,
hopefully for one large project instead of splitting the money up between a variety of small projects.
Burner expressed some concerns she had regarding available resources. She said the district is
doing a needs assessment and coming up with strategies. Winch suggested De Anza might be able to
"- assist FUHSD with student interns. It was suggested the district contact Willie Pritehard, Dean of
Technology, when it was ready.
Debbie Vanni, Monta Vista instructor, reported to commission on her students achievement in
receiving a iYrst place in the WAVE awards. She expressed her concern in that her film class was being
eliminated from the high school English department curriculum. Vanni was looking at ways to get the
class back in the curriculum.
OLD BUSINESS
Project timeline: Wincn asked for updates to the timeline. The date for the producers meeting
was changed from Dec. 8 to Dec. 7.
TCI Rebuild Update - System Testing and Monitoring Procedures - Tsui had questions
with the system testing. He had two conversations with Dennis Seace and Brent Payon of TCI on Oct.
7 and Nov. 2 to review his questions. Tsui reported Seace provided a lot of good information.
Installation Policy for Upgraded System - Tsui looked back at test procedures and found
some inconsistencies. He will follow up with Seace. Walton offered to find answers and report back as
well.
Walton reported on the status of the rebuild. One hundred forty-eight miles of the system
design is complete.
During the month of October, TCI experienced some problems with the contractors who did not
perform to TCIs standards. As a result, one company was let go. This situation caused a loss in
production, problems for customers and impacted the City through customer complaints. TCI hired two
new contracting companies to replace the one that lef~ and to supplement those that are currently
working. The additional contractors will ensure that the project remains on schedule, according to
Walton.
Construction crews upgraded or replaced 85 pedestals. Eight miles of the fiber backbone have
been installed. Node numbers 5, 7 and 8 have been activated and the final testing on these nodes will
begin by mid-November. Nodes l, 2, 3, 4 and 6 are currently under construction. Nodes 9 through 14
will be constructed at the end of November and activated at the beginning of December.
Twenty-four and eight-tenths miles of the system electronics have been replaced to date. Two
and three-tenths miles of the new construction portion of the upgrade were completed in October.
The customer notification plan is progressing as scheduled.
Production of videotapes - cultural diversity video: Mannion reported they were making the final
master tape of the cultural diversity video. The first six minutes were completed. Mannlon said he had
a rough edit of the video if anyone wanted to view it.
Annual report - Krey distributed a list of'the commission's achievements for 1998.
Commission will review the list. The goal is to have the video completed in January. Krey will prepare
a written annual report for council.
Community education event - Krey said Walton did a good job of explaining in layman terms the
TCI rebuild process. Winch asked if Rotary would be interested in seeing a little different program next
year. Mannion reported EYarryl Stow was very pleased with the presentation. Commission requested the
recommended wiring practices be put in the Scene. Walton will fax information to Krey. It was
suggested we acknowledge in the Scene and the Courier that there were TCI upgrade problems and
outages this month and include the reasons for these outages.
NEW BUSINESS
Recommendation from COPA subcommittee - Tsui reported the subcommittee, consisting
of himself and Algeri, reviewed the four applications and recommended awarding it to Linda Crrodt.
Winch made a motion to accept the recommendation l~om the subcommittee. Mannion seconded the
motion. All in favor, motion carried. Krey reported the presentation will occur at the producers meeting
on Dec. 7 and she will do a press release.
Reporl~ from:
TCI: Walton reviewed with commission the TCI Cablevision's Customer Service Report for
the month of S~ptember. The outages were up for the month. The new call center will be occupied in
two weeks. TCI went through a restructuring of their Area Directors. Dave Walton received the Silicon
Valley Area Director position. He said this restructuring will not impact Cupertino operations. Eddie
Garcia will remain as the Government Affairs Manager.
City of Cupertino: Krey said tomorrow she is hosting a CAPIO workshop in which the topic is
"Winter Preparedness." She will show the "Storms of 98" video to the attendees. Krey also reported
the city is upgrading its computer systems.
De Pm~a College: Haber reported the WAVE Awards Ceremony took place on Oct. 24, at the
Peppermi]l Hotel in Reno, Nevada. The first place winners were Don Yeager for "On the Move,"
Hema Kundargi for "Vegetarian Gocu~iiet," Deborah Vanni of Monta Vista High School for "Four
Student Video Projects," and Andrew T. Willyoung for "What's Up Wit That." The finalists were
Robert Haber and Mary Chow for "Little Pianist, Big Program," Robert Haber for "Cupertino Access
Pub #8," Dorothy Stevens for "The Better Part B-29 Pilot," Linda G-rodt for "Silicon Kids," David
Cain for "Real Estate Matters," and George Maragoluf for "Assyrian Weekly Magazine."
Access Pub show #11 aired on Oct. 31. Haber gave an update on the pilot marketing program
through TCI.
Haber reported George Maragoluf, producer of Assyrian Magazine will have completed his
1,000z show. Hema Kundargi completed two more vegetarian Indian cooking shows.
ADJOURNMENT
Wincn made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:18 p.m.; Tsui seconded and the motion
passed unanimously.
ATTEST: APPROVED:
Chairperson