Telecommunications Minutes January 4, 2010

North Liberty Telecommunications Commission
Meeting Minutes
January 4, 2010

Attendance: Joseph Wagner, Glen Cox, Valerie Hoffman and Katie Colony

Also Present: Telecommunications Director Cheryle Caplinger, Production Coordinator Nick Bergus, Promotion Producer Corinne Lemmage and Mediacom Representative Lee Grassley

Absent: Denise Schechinger

Hoffman called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm.

Comments from the public.  None

Mediacom Update.
Lee Grassley stated the Sinclair/Mediacom eight-day extension for a broadcasting contract indicates a favorable sway in the negotiations. “If they were not in good favor,” Grassley said, “they wouldn’t have come to a temporary agreement.” Therefore, Grassley is very optimistic an agreement will be reached. Mediacom is hoping for FCC intervention if necessary. Broadcasters throughout the country tend to favor Sinclair while providers favor Mediacom. This is not just an issue in Iowa, but throughout the nation.

Hoffman asked, “Mediacom put a different CBS/FOX signal on the last time this happened. If an agreement is not reached, can’t you just do that again?” Glassley responded the FCC ruled that was not a lawful alternative.

Caplinger then asked, “If there is no agreement or signal, what happens?” Grassley said that without signal the channels would just go black. He added that some people may be asking, “Well, what about SouthSlope? I will still be able to get those channels through SouthSlope. Why is that?” He remarked that Sinclair and SouthSlope have reached an agreement; therefore, SouthSlope customers would not lose a signal.

Colony followed up by asking, “So after days of an extension and if there is no agreement, will the FCC intervene?” To which Grassley replied that the FCC has already contacted both parties.

Finally, Caplinger asked “If Mediacom paid Sinclair, would there be a rate increase?” Grassley said, “There will be no rate increase for local customers. If there would be an increase, it would be at a regularly scheduled timetable. I believe it’s in April or August for this area. I will follow up on that.”

South Slope Update.
Name changes for channels that were included in the packet.

Commissioners’ comments.
Hoffman remarked on the new Council Chambers equipment including cameras, tripods and lavs. She thanked the Telecommunications Department for their hard work on the set up.

Telecommunications staff report.

Caplinger thanked Bergus for his time and energy replacing equipment in Council Chambers. She also mentioned the department is working on goal setting sessions, as well as budgets in the coming weeks. The department also has several project videos in development. Finally, Caplinger said plans for the annual Super Bowl party have yet to be announced due to the Sinclair/Mediacom contract. As the Community Center has a Mediacom signal in the Gerdin Conference Center, there may or may not be a signal for the game depending on the contract. As the department needs at least a month to plan and if arrangements have not been reached by Friday, January 8 at midnight, the party will be canceled.

Wagner recommended seeking a SouthSlope feed for the Community Center or even holding the event at SouthSlope. Caplinger said she would follow up with SouthSlope to see if relocation to that facility is a possibility.

Approval of November 2, 2009 meeting minutes.
Cox moved to approve the minutes, seconded by Colony.  Motion passed with all in favor.

The next meeting is scheduled for the second Monday in February (the 8th), 2010.  

Wagner moved, seconded by Cox to adjourn the meeting at 6:20 pm.  Motion passed with all in favor.
Attendance: Joseph Wagner, Glen Cox, Valerie Hoffman and Katie Colony

Also Present: Telecommunications Director Cheryle Caplinger, Production Coordinator Nick Bergus, Promotion Producer Corinne Lemmage and Mediacom Representative Lee Grassley

Absent: Denise Schechinger

Hoffman called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm.

Comments from the public.  None

Mediacom Update.
Lee Grassley stated the Sinclair/Mediacom eight-day extension for a broadcasting contract indicates a favorable sway in the negotiations. “If they were not in good favor,” Grassley said, “they wouldn’t have come to a temporary agreement.” Therefore, Grassley is very optimistic an agreement will be reached. Mediacom is hoping for FCC intervention if necessary. Broadcasters throughout the country tend to favor Sinclair while providers favor Mediacom. This is not just an issue in Iowa, but throughout the nation.

Hoffman asked, “Mediacom put a different CBS/FOX signal on the last time this happened. If an agreement is not reached, can’t you just do that again?” Glassley responded the FCC ruled that was not a lawful alternative.

Caplinger then asked, “If there is no agreement or signal, what happens?” Grassley said that without signal the channels would just go black. He added that some people may be asking, “Well, what about SouthSlope? I will still be able to get those channels through SouthSlope. Why is that?” He remarked that Sinclair and SouthSlope have reached an agreement; therefore, SouthSlope customers would not lose a signal.

Colony followed up by asking, “So after days of an extension and if there is no agreement, will the FCC intervene?” To which Grassley replied that the FCC has already contacted both parties.

Finally, Caplinger asked “If Mediacom paid Sinclair, would there be a rate increase?” Grassley said, “There will be no rate increase for local customers. If there would be an increase, it would be at a regularly scheduled timetable. I believe it’s in April or August for this area. I will follow up on that.”

South Slope Update.
Name changes for channels that were included in the packet.

Commissioners’ comments.
Hoffman remarked on the new Council Chambers equipment including cameras, tripods and lavs. She thanked the Telecommunications Department for their hard work on the set up.

Telecommunications staff report.

Caplinger thanked Bergus for his time and energy replacing equipment in Council Chambers. She also mentioned the department is working on goal setting sessions, as well as budgets in the coming weeks. The department also has several project videos in development. Finally, Caplinger said plans for the annual Super Bowl party have yet to be announced due to the Sinclair/Mediacom contract. As the Community Center has a Mediacom signal in the Gerdin Conference Center, there may or may not be a signal for the game depending on the contract. As the department needs at least a month to plan and if arrangements have not been reached by Friday, January 8 at midnight, the party will be canceled.

Wagner recommended seeking a SouthSlope feed for the Community Center or even holding the event at SouthSlope. Caplinger said she would follow up with SouthSlope to see if relocation to that facility is a possibility.

Approval of November 2, 2009 meeting minutes.
Cox moved to approve the minutes, seconded by Colony.  Motion passed with all in favor.

The next meeting is scheduled for the second Monday in February (the 8th), 2010.  

Wagner moved, seconded by Cox to adjourn the meeting at 6:20 pm.  Motion passed with all in favor.