Telecommunications Meeting Minutes April 4, 2011

North Liberty Telecommunications Commission
Meeting Minutes
April 4th, 2011

Attendance: Katie Colony, Denise Schechinger, Valerie Hoffman and Glen Cox

Also Present: Telecommunications Director Cheryl Caplinger, Production Coordinator Nick Bergus and Promotion Producer Erika Harper

Absent:  Joseph Wagner

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

Comments from the public.  None

Mediacom Update.
Lee Grassley was absent from the meeting.  Caplinger stated that in March Mediacom handed out converters and that they are working on various projects.  Caplinger also said that they are working with Mediacom and South Slope on franchise negotiations.

South Slope Update.
Heath Rinderknecht was at the meeting to represent South Slope he is the Video Services Coordinator.  Rinderknecht said that South Slope added 18 new HD channels in 2010.  In the next three weeks 10 more HD channels would be added due to customer requests.  South Slope is now adding bundle packages (more information was included in the packet) and these are based on what customers are asking for.  Rinderknecht said that ESPN3.com is being offered for free to South Slope customers with internet subscription which offers more live sports feed.  Rinderknecht suggested people go to southslope.com for more information regarding what they are offering.  The fiber project is on it’s last stage, but still ongoing.  Rinderknecht said that the major portion of the construction is finished.

Commissioners’ comments.
None

Telecommunications staff report.
Caplinger said that their working on the relocation of the Council Chambers which will be at Quail Creek Circle by 7-01-11.  There may be down time due to the wiring and waiting for furniture, but they will let people know about the timeline.  The lease on that facility will be up in 2015.  City Hall and the Council Chambers will be located in the new facility.
Caplinger said they are looking for volunteers for Prime Time.  And they are working with the public on programming.  Hoffman asked when Prime Time starts and Caplinger stated in June.  Caplinger said they do have some questions regarding games on Sundays and will be finding that out.
Caplinger stated that Quail Creek is a better location and that the current location for Council Chambers would be used by the fire department and they would also have access to the parking lot.
Hoffman asked about the NLTV budget and if all of their necessary resources will be covered.  Caplinger said they are looking over the franchise negotiations and will let us know and if they can be negotiated.  The City Attorney is reviewing other cities’ documents to see what they’ve done in the past to get an idea.
Colony asked about the new playback system and how it was working.  Bergus stated it was working very well and nice to have.
Hoffman asked if we were going to have the annual picnic with Coralville this year.  Caplinger said she would check into it.

Approval of December 6th, 2010 meeting minutes.
Cox moved to approve the minutes from December, Colony seconded.  Motion passed with all in favor.

Determine Next Possible Meeting Date.
The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, August 1st, 2011.

Colony moved, seconded by Cox to adjourn the meeting at 6:12 pm.  Motion passed with all in favor.

Respectfully submitted,
Denise Schechinger, Secretary