HomeMy WebLinkAboutICTC Agenda and Packet 2019-08-26
Agenda
Iowa City Telecommunications Commission
City Cable TV Office, 10 S. Linn St., Tower Place Parking Facility, Level 3A
Monday, August 26, 2019, 5:30PM
1. Call to order
2. Approval of minutes
3. Announcements of Commissioners
4. Short public announcements
5. Post-franchise role of the Telecommunications Commission
6. REPORTS
Consumer Issues
Mediacom Report
Local Access Reports
City Cable TV Office Report
7. Adjournment
If you will need disability-related accommodations in order to participate in this program/event, please contact Ty
Coleman at 319-356-5454 or ty-coleman@iowa-city.org. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow
sufficient time to meet your access needs.
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Iowa City Telecommunications Commission
07/22/2019 Meeting Minutes
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Minutes
Iowa City Telecommunications Commission
July 22, 2019 – 5:30 P.M.
City of Iowa City Cable TV Office, 10 S. Linn St. - Tower Place, Level 3A
Call to Order:Meeting called to order at 5:35 P.M.
Members Present:Matthew Brenton, Gina Reyes, Adam Stockman, Andrew Austin
Members Absent:
Staff Present:Ty Coleman
Others Present:Gerardo Sandoval
Recommendations to Council: None
Approval of Minutes:
Stockman moved and Reyes seconded a motion to approve the June 24, 2019 minutes as presented.
The motion passed unanimously.
Announcements of Commissioners:
Commissioners exchanged introductions with newly-appointed member Andrew Austin. Coleman
announced that Commission member James Pierce had recently indicated he would need to step down
from his responsibilities with the Commission due to conflicting commitments.
Short Public Announcements:
None.
Election of Officers:
Matt Brenton was elected as Chair and Adam Stockman was elected as Vice Chair by a unanimous vote.
Post-franchise role of the Telecommunications Commission:
Brenton summarized that since the City’s franchise agreement with Mediacom had expired, the
Telecommunications Commission’s authority had been reduced and the group had been asked to
consider its role going forward. Brenton said that a proposal to Council had been drafted which
recommends that the City should look into the feasibility of municipal broadband.
Coleman said that the proposal would be included within an upcoming Council information packet.
Brenton said City Council members had expressed an interest in the topic in the past. He noted that one
issue that had been brought up was that Iowa City does not own its own electric utility and that a lot of
communities who had successfully built their own municipal broadband network had done so by
“piggy-backing” off of their municipal electric utility’s infrastructure.
Brenton referred to the lawsuit that had been filed by Mediacom a few years back in response to the City
leasing fiber to ImOn for the provision of Internet and phone services. Coleman explained that companies
offering cable television service are required to operate under a franchise agreement and pay franchise
fees. He said that ImOn was only intending to provide Internet and phone services and was therefore not
required to obtain a franchise and pay franchise fees. Brenton said the courts had sided with the City and
ImOn. He said ImOn had recently stated it planned to build out its broadband network and begin offering
residential broadband service over the next couple of years. Brenton said he wasn’t sure if competitive
service providers such as ImOn would affect the Council’s interest in looking into municipal broadband.
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07/22/2019 Meeting Minutes
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Stockman said the group wants to first see if there is any interest by Council in municipal broadband.
Brenton said that the proposal offers to set up an advisory board to look into the topic, but that if Council
does not have an interest in it, then the Telecommunications Commission would plan to disband.
Andrews said the potential for working on a municipal broadband proposal and gathering data for it was
one of the things that attracted him to the Commission. Brenton said the proposal does not include that
existing Commission members would automatically become municipal broadband advisory board
members, but said he’d expect anyone on the Commission interested in becoming a member of the
advisory board to have an opportunity to do so.
Coleman said he said he would be including a couple of documents along with the proposal to provide
information, including the excerpt from the Iowa Code dealing with municipal broadband and the City’s
Cable TV Franchise Enabling Ordinance. Coleman said a memo accompanying the proposal would
suggest that the Council find a time to meet with the Telecommunications Commission to discuss and ask
questions. Brenton noted that the proposal isn’t to establish municipal broadband, but rather to make a
recommendation. Brenton said it could be possible that the recommendation would be to not pursue it.
Consumer Issues:
Brenton referred to the issue described in the cable complaints report involving a customer who was not
getting the speeds he felt he should have been getting. Brenton noted that the speeds are typically listed
as being up to a certain speed. Coleman said some customers in the past have expressed that there was
nothing they could do about receiving service that didn’t meet their expectations and said that bringing in
competition or discussing municipal broadband would help to address the concern of not having other
options.
Mediacom Report:
Coleman reported that he had not received any information from Mediacom other than a notice that a few
upper tier channels were being moved.
Local Access Reports:
Sandoval reported that PATV would be changing its hours based on current usage of the facilities. He
said the PATV board has been aggressively looking at how PATV can continue its mission and said they
had some promising leads. Sandoval said that activity at PATV increases when the school year begins.
He said independent filmmakers had been using the facility and the podcast room had seen increased
use. Sandoval said an upcoming project would be to provide a way to include video for podcast
recordings.
Sandoval said that PATV has been around for 40 years, starting at the City, and operating for 30 years as
an independent non-profit organization. He said PATV’s building is owned by Public Access, making it
community-owned. Sandoval said PATV’s funding has always been pass-through money from the cable
company, passed through the City. Despite the current lack of a funding stream, he said that the City still
contracts with PATV to provide the service so that community members can have a channel on which to
put their content.
City Cable TV Office Report:
Coleman referred to the report the Cable TV Office had submitted in the meeting packet. He mentioned
that the City’s Rummage in the Ramp event would be starting soon and that Cable TV Office staff would
be doing a Facebook Live event to highlight the event and to show people what’s there as well as to
inform the public of the impact the event has, including diverting items from the landfill and distributing the
profits to participating non-profit organizations.
Coleman said he had been working with the Johnson County Mobility Coordinator, as well as transit
systems from Iowa City, Coralville, the University of Iowa, and Johnson County, to produce a series of
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07/22/2019 Meeting Minutes
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short videos to highlight the public transportation offerings in our area as well as to provide some how-tos
on things like planning your route and transferring between buses. Andrews commented that the video
series is a good idea for new students coming to town.
Adjournment:
Stockman moved and Reyes seconded a motion to adjourn. The motion passed unanimously.
Adjournment was at 6:05 p.m.
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Iowa City Telecommunications Commission
07/22/2019 Meeting Minutes
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Gowder Bergus Brenton Johnk Pierce
08/27/2018
Meeting not held due to
lack of quorum.
vacant vacant
9/24/2018 x vacant x vacant x
Paterson
10/22/2018 x o x vacant x
11/26/2018
Meeting not held due to
lack of quorum.
vacant
12/17/2018 x o x vacant x
01/22/2019
Meeting not held due to
inclement weather and
lack of quorum.
vacant
resignation Stockman
02/25/2019 x vacant x x o/c
Reyes
03/25/2019 resignation o/c x x x
04/22/2019 vacant x x x o/c
06/03/2019
Meeting not held due to
lack of quorum.
vacant
06/24/2019 vacant x x x o
Andrews
07/22/2019 x x x x resignation
(x) = Present (o) = Absent (o/c) = Absent/Called (Excused)
Date: July 22, 2019
To: Ashley Monroe, Assistant City Manager
From: Ty Coleman, Media Production Services Coordinator
Re: Future of the Telecommunications Commission
Introduction:
The Iowa City Telecommunications Commission has been asked to consider its role as a
commission, given that the local cable TV franchise agreement with Mediacom has expired.
History/Background:
The City Council formed the Iowa City Broadband Telecommunications Commission at the time
of Iowa City’s first cable TV franchise agreement with its first cable TV service provider. The
Council enacted the Broadband Telecommunications Franchise Enabling Ordinance (later to be
known as the Cable Television Franchise Enabling Ordinance), which established standards,
regulations, and procedures for the granting of a cable television franchise, as well as defined the
Telecommunications Commission and its role (attached).
The purpose of the Commission was to recommend policies to the City Council on the regulation,
development, and operation of cable television, telecommunications, and communications
systems in Iowa City. Many of the Commission’s established duties included actions related to
the powers of the City as allowed by the local franchise agreement, such as resolving disputes
between subscribers and the cable provider, providing recommendations related to basic tier rate
regulation, conducting a triennial review of the cable TV system and recommending
improvements to the system and amendments to the franchise agreement, establishing and
administering sanctions to ensure compliance with the franchise enabling ordinance, and
soliciting, reviewing, and providing recommendations to Council for selection of applicants for
franchise. Other duties included promoting awareness of the local access channels, educating
the public on telecommunications matters affecting consumers, identifying public rights-of-way
issues and concerns, and making recommendations regarding development of the local
communications infrastructure.
In 2007, Iowa adopted a law that created a state franchise process for cable providers. Our
local franchise agreement with Mediacom was able to remain in effect until its natural expiration,
which took place on August 1, 2018. Mediacom has been operating under a state-issued
franchise since this date and it is highly unlikely that a cable TV provider would ever seek a local
franchise agreement in the future, though permissible by state law.
Discussion of Solutions:
Given the lack of a local cable TV franchise, the Telecommunications Commission has been
considering its role going forward and how it might envision its potential for providing a valuable
service to our community. While members of the Commission have agreed that the group does
not have as great a purpose as it once did due to the end of the local franchise and a reduced
number of access channels (UI, ICCSD, and ICPL channels have ceased use of their channels),
the group has discussed its interest in the development of a municipal broadband advisory board.
The Commission’s proposal is attached for City Council’s review and consideration.
The Telecommunications Commission has stated that it will continue to operate as a Commission
until it is decided by Council that it should either disband or that a municipal broadband advisory
board be formed to explore the potential for creating a municipal broadband system in Iowa City.
Recommendation:
Staff recommends that the Commission’s proposal be reviewed and that the City Council
determine whether the Commission should be disbanded, whether to proceed with an advisory
board, or whether it is necessary to meet with the Telecommunications Commission to
discuss the proposal.
August 20, 2019
To: Iowa City Telecommunications Commission
From: Ty Coleman, Media Production Services Coordinator (MPSC)
Re: Cable Complaints July 2019
1.)
Date: 07/19/2019
Method of contact: phone call to MPSC
Complaint/Comment Summary:
Resident complained that he has had continued problems with his cable TV service, including intermittent
dropouts and pixelating. Resident said that technicians have come out multiple times to investigate and have
replaced the fittings on his cables with no improvements. Resident said one technician had noted that the
infrastructure in his neighborhood was old.
Resolution Summary:
Coleman presented the issue to Mediacom’s Rick Karnes. Karnes said that infrastructure in Iowa City has been
upgraded and was not likely the issue. Karnes passed the issue to Mediacom’s Heath Piercy, who left the
customer a message to offer assistance. As of August 22, Piercy reported that the customer had not responded.
Date of Resolution: 08/22/2019
2.)
Date: 07/22/2019
Method of contact: phone call to MPSC
Issue/Comment Summary:
The resident of a newly-completed townhouse learned that Mediacom service was not yet available for his unit or
others in a series of seven townhouses. Resident said the builder had been trying to get service extended to the
buildings but was having a difficult time getting a response from Mediacom.
Resolution Summary:
MPSC asked Mediacom about the status of this project. Mediacom’s Darwin Driscoll said that it was a new-build
construction that needed a project submitted and approved. MPSC asked Driscoll for an estimate on how long it
could be before the project was submitted, approved, and completed. Driscoll said it could be four to six weeks
before the project would be complete.
Date of Resolution: Not yet resolved
PATV Report to Iowa City Telecommunications Commission August 2019
August has been a month of the return of some of our regulars like The Lyle Style Show, Hello It’s Us
and Rev Ray’s Right on Time Gospel and the continuation of Latino Hour and Joey’s Game Shack.
PATV supports the Iowa City Latino Film Festival.
PATV Board Meetings
PATV Board of Directors next meeting September 17th., at 7pm.
Intro Workshop
Guidelines orientation is the 2nd Sat. of every month, 10AM at PATV or online @ www.patv.tv
Next Guidelines is Saturday September 14th. at 10AM.
Video Workshops Schedule
Studio Training – The second Mondays of the month from 5 – 7pm.
HD Camera – The third Mondays of the month from 5 – 7pm.
Digital Editing – The third Thursday of the month from 12 - 2pm.
Current and upcoming staff supported productions
Joe’s Gaming Shack
Latino Hour
GreenFire
The Lyle Harris Show
Hello It’s Us
Submitted by Gerardo Sandoval 8/22/19
206 Lafayette St. • Iowa City, Iowa 52240 • Phone 338-7035
Fax 338-8456 • contact@patv.tv • http://www.patv.tv
Date: August 20, 2019
To: The Iowa City Telecommunications Commission
From: Ty Coleman, Media Production Services Coordinator, City of Iowa City Cable TV Office
Re: City of Iowa City Cable TV Office report for the August 2019 meeting
Media Production Services
Submitted by Jack Brooks, Media Production Specialist, and Ty Coleman, Media Production Services Coord.
Recent production activities:
●Topics covered for episodes of our weekly Iowa City Update program included Rummage
in the Ramp, Soul and Blues Fest, National Night Out, Emergency Training Exercise, and
Climate Crisis Declaration.
●Released a new Iowa City In Focus program with topics including Emerald Ash Borer
Treatment, ICPD Traffic Stop Study, and the Monarch Festival.
●Produced Community Highlight videos from the Thornberry Park Party in the Park,
RIverfront Crossings Park Grand Opening, and the Soul and Blues Festival.
●Created PSA videos for the EMS Kids Day, Leaf Vacuum Program, and Kids Day at the
Farmers Market.
●Released Iowa City Matters podcast on inclusivity and accessibility.
●Streamed Facebook Live events at Rummage in the Ramp.
●Recorded the Black Authors Panel program at Prairie Lights as part of the Summer of the
Arts’ Soul & Blues Festival.
●Recorded a program on making house modifications to allow you to age in your own
home, sponsored by Johnson County Livable Community.
Upcoming productions:
●Continue producing Iowa City Update programs with topics including back to school
safety tips, Taste of the Market, and the annual Dog Paddle.
●Recording the first Iowa City Foreign Relations Council lecture of the fall 2019 semester.
●Coverage of the upcoming meeting of the City Council’s Economic Development
Committee.
●Recording the Urbanized Area Policy Board Meeting of the Metropolitan Planning
Organization of Johnson County (MPOJC).
Programming and Interactive Services
Submitted by Kevin Crawley, Communications Technician
Recent and Upcoming Projects:
I've picked up another locally produced program from PATV. "Hello! It's Us" is a show devoted to
disability issues. It does not have a specific slot, but the 25-40 minute episodes help to fill out our
community programming slots. I have also replaced our long-time series on Family Caregivers
(which has been out of production for several years now) with a new imported program called
"Conversations with Dr. Don" -- a one-hour program produced in Portland with a wide range of
guests and topics. On the tech support side, we've been moving all of our media files to a new
server, and I've implemented a new file organization framework to simplify our backup strategy.
Website:
In June, there were 3,571 users accessing 6,016 pages in 4,742 sessions. Our most popular
pages were Mediacom's channel lineup page, our live-video page, our home page, Mediacom's
channel rates, our program schedule and our watch-online page.
On YouTube, we had 7,546 video views account for 24,916 minutes (415 hours and 6 minutes) of
watch time. We added 12 more subscribers, and our current total is 608. Our most watched
videos by views were the Welcome to Iowa City! video, the Hindustani Vocal Concert, our
College Green Park drone video, Iowa City Update episodes on Recycling Reminders, Phase 2 of
the Ped Mall Project, and the Iowa Arts Festival. The most watched videos by time were the
Hindustani Vocal Concert, the Council live stream of May 7, the ICPD Narcan Training, the
Welcome to Iowa City! video, and the latest episode of Iowa City in Focus.
In July, there were 3,759 users accessing 6,096 pages in 4,791 sessions. Our most popular
pages were Mediacom's channel lineup page, Mediacom's channel rates, our home page, our
live-video page, hour watch-online page, and our program schedule.
On YouTube, we had 7,429 video views account for 18,305 minutes (305 hours and 5 minutes) of
watch time. We added 24 more subscribers, and our current total is 657. Our most watched
videos by views were the Welcome to Iowa City! video, Iowa City Update episodes on Riverfront
Crossings Grand Opening, Rummage in the Ramp (two videos), and the Hate Crime Ordinance,
the Hindustani Vocal Concert, the short video on the Riverfront Crossings Park Grand Opening,
and the IC Update episode on the Soul & Blues Festival.
Programming:
In June, we cablecast 117 programs
produced in-house 601 times for 502 hours
of programming, 29 locally-produced (DITV,
Senior Center, Hoover Library, Task Force
on Aging, Education Exchange and
meetings of the JC Board of Supervisors,
Coralville, North Liberty, University Heights,
and ICCSD School Board) programs 102
times for 106 hours of programming, and 41
imported programs 132 times for 79 hours
of programming. We also showed 113
PSAs 1118 times for 31 hours of
programming.
In July, we cablecast 109 programs
produced in-house 730 times for 522
hours of programming, 32
locally-produced (DITV, Senior Center,
Hoover Library, Task Force on Aging,
Education Exchange and meetings of the
JC Board of Supervisors, Coralville,
North Liberty, University Heights, and
ICCSD School Board) programs 112
times for 109 hours of programming, and
47 imported programs 153 times for 87
hours of programming. We also showed
114 PSAs 1383 times for 39 hours of
programming.
Programs Completed by the Cable TV Office in July 2019
●2019 Friday Night Concert Series
○Kevin BF Burt & Big Medicine
○Pigs in Clover
○Soul Sherpa
●2019 Iowa City Jazz Festival
●2019 Juneteenth Commemoration
●Emerald Ash Borer Treatment Process
●Inclusive Teaching Awards
●Iowa City City Council Meetings
○July 2, 2019
○July 16, 2019
●Iowa City City Council Work Sessions
○July 2, 2019
○July 16, 2019
○July 24, 2019 (Special Meeting)
●Iowa City Foreign Relations Council Presents
○Africa's Future Opportunities
○Disinformation in Social Media
●Iowa City Police Traffic Stop Study
●Iowa City Update episodes
○2019 Rummage in the Ramp
○Hate Crime Ordinance
○Riverfront Crossings Park Grand Opening
○Rummage in the Ramp
○Soul and Blues Festival
●Market Music 2019
○David Zollo
○Ingrid Streitz & Seven House Radius
○New Dawn
●MPOJC Urbanized Area Policy Board of 07/10/19
●MusicIC 2019
○A La Russe
○Every Moment Present
○With Our Compliments
●Party in the Park - Mercer Park
●Riverfront Crossings Park - Grand Opening
●Slam O Vision Poetry Slam