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HomeMy WebLinkAboutICTC Agenda and Packet 2019-09-23 Agenda Iowa City Telecommunications Commission City Cable TV Office, 10 S. Linn St., Tower Place Parking Facility, Level 3A Monday, September 23, 2019, 5:30PM 1. Call to order 2. Approval of minutes 3. Announcements of Commissioners 4. Short public announcements 5. Upcoming work of the Telecommunications Commission regarding municipal broadband 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. PRELIMINARY Iowa City Telecommunications Commission 08/26/2019 Meeting Minutes Page 1 of 3 Minutes Iowa City Telecommunications Commission August 26, 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 Members Absent:Andrew Austin Staff Present:Ty Coleman Others Present: Recommendations to Council:​ ​None Approval of Minutes: Stockman moved and Reyes seconded a motion to approve the July 22, 2019 minutes as presented. The motion passed unanimously. Announcements of Commissioners: None. Short Public Announcements: None. Post-franchise role of the Telecommunications Commission: Coleman said the Telecommunications Commission’s proposal had been presented to the Council within an information packet and that they had planned to discuss it at their last work session. Coleman said that the discussion of the proposal was deferred to the Council’s next meeting, which would take place on September 3, 2019. He said that work sessions are open to the public, however, the Council does not typically take comments from the public during those meetings. Coleman said he would plan to send the members of the Commission a link to the portion of the meeting video containing the Council’s discussion of the topic. Consumer Issues: Brenton referred to the issue described in the cable complaints report involving a customer who was experiencing dropouts in his cable TV service, noting that the customer had not responded to Mediacom’s call. Coleman said he had not heard anything new about this issue since his last check-in on August 22, 2019. He noted that this issue had been presented about a year ago from the same person at the same address, but until now, he had not heard from the resident since the issue was resolved at that time. Brenton said that while Mediacom had upgraded its infrastructure, it’s possible the problem is due to something between the node and the house or that there could be an issue with the wiring inside the residence. Brenton also referred to the issue in the report that involved an area where Mediacom service was planned to be extended. Coleman said he would be following up on the issue with Mediacom once the estimated completion date had passed. Mediacom Report: Coleman reported that he had not received any information from Mediacom. PRELIMINARY Iowa City Telecommunications Commission 08/26/2019 Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 3 Local Access Reports: Coleman said that PATV had submitted a report for the meeting packet. He said he also continues to include staff from the The Library Channel on the mailing list for messages about upcoming Telecommunications Commission meetings. He said that although they are no longer sending staff to the meetings, he would include any information or reports they might provide. Brenton said it would be interesting to hear about any significant milestones or new services they may be offering. Coleman recalled that the last time Bond Drager from the Library came to a meeting, she talked about The Library Channel’s efforts to live stream much of their meeting room programs and that they had been putting links to completed videos in the calendar event descriptions within the Library’s online calendar. City Cable TV Office Report: Coleman said the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) had recently issued an order that allows cable companies to charge back the market value cost of in-kind services provided to municipalities. He said these are services that often have been included within franchise agreements, such as free cable service to public schools and government buildings as well as the local access channels provided. Coleman said that the order is being disputed by many municipalities since it could significantly reduce the amount of franchise fees received. Coleman said he would be tuning in to a couple of webinars on the topic to learn more about the potential impact of the order in the coming weeks. He noted that the City currently receives somewhere between $500,000 and $600,000 in annual franchise fees from Mediacom. Brenton suggested that the issue would likely be contested in court, but that the results of those efforts could take years. Coleman said the City has not yet been contacted by Mediacom regarding the order. Coleman said the Cable TV Office was currently in the process of hiring a new Media Production Assistant, as the former person in the position had recently moved away. He said the person in the position produces video of council meetings, lectures, and concerts, and also creates short videos, such as public service announcements. Coleman said he would be reviewing applications soon. Adjournment: Stockman moved and Reyes seconded a motion to adjourn. The motion passed unanimously. Adjournment was at 5:55 p.m. PRELIMINARY Iowa City Telecommunications Commission 08/26/2019 Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 3 Gowder Brenton Pierce 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 08/26/2019 o/c x x x vacant (x) = Present (o) = Absent (o/c) = Absent/Called (Excused) September 19, 2019 To: Iowa City Telecommunications Commission From: Ty Coleman, Media Production Services Coordinator (MPSC) Re: Cable Complaints August 2019 1.) Date: ​07/31/19 Method of contact: Phone call to MPSC Complaint/Comment Summary: Resident was concerned that some workers completing digging work in her neighborhood ImOn had left a couple of holes in her backyard, posing a trip or fall hazzard. Resolution Summary: MPSC reached out to ImOn and was contacted by ImOn’s Tyler Green, Construction Supervisor. Green said he stresses to those doing the work that the properties need to be put back to the condition they were when the work began and said he would look into it. The resident later reported that a utility company was in her neighborhood and that she called the number on the side of the truck and spoke with someone about the issue who said they would send someone out very soon, saying that the holes should have been covered with plywood if the work hadn’t been completed yet. The resident reported that the issue had been resolved. Date of Resolution:​ 08/22/19 2.) Update on issue from the July 2019 Cable Complaints Report The issue involving the lack of availability of service to a series of new townhomes was resolved, according to Mediacom’s Rick Karnes, who reported that the project had been completed. Date of Resolution:​ 09/06/19 Public Space One (PS1) and Public Access Television (Channel 18) to Form Integrated Organization to Provide Enhanced Access to Media and Digital Production Resources for the Johnson County Community --Area Non-Profit Associations to Combine Resources and Facilities to Expand the Scope of Services Provided for Digital Production, Creative Support, Education and Training September 18, 2019 – Iowa City, Iowa Public Space One (PS1) and Public Access Television – Channel 18 (PATV) in Iowa City have announced plans to form one, integrated non-profit organization designed to provide enhanced community access to a wide variety of media, digital production, and creative support services across Johnson County. The new organization will live under the PS1 brand name and integrate the assets, facilities and resources of both organizations. The new PS1 organization will operate and maintain both the current PATV stu dio facility located at 206 Lafayette Street and the new PS1 facility located at 225/229 N. Gilbert Street. Under the new PS1 entity, the current PATV Channel 18 public access station will discontinue operations for broadcasting local programming, and instead focus on offering public access to digital video, audio (podcasts), and web creation enabled through the current PATV studio and technology resources. The organization intends to carry forward the legacy PATV mission of providing affordable public access to the local Johnson County community for production and broadcast of customized, digital content. Rather than the traditional form of cable broadcast, this digital content will still be produced locally and available for broadcast through live streaming, social media and web channels. The current PS1 focus on art production, presentation, and educational opportunities will continue and now utilize the expanded assets and facilities of the new integrated organization. “We are very excited to enhance the community access, resources, technology and services of Public Space One by combining our efforts with that of Public Access Television. PATV-Iowa City has a long and valued history of serving the local community and providing affordable access to the creation and broadcast of unique and valuable content not available through other, mass-media channels. The missions of our organizations overlap in supporting community created media and beyond.”, said John Engelbrecht, Director of PS1. “We intend to carry that legacy forward and enhance it by offering the community access to digital media tools, education, and programming. Combined with the current creative opportunities, resources, and programs offered by PS1, this new organization will continue to be a valuable resource to the local Johnson County community”. The new PS1 organization will be led by Mr. Eng elbrecht and include of several additional Board Members from the current PATV organization. In addition to maintaining and enhancing present PS1 and PATV facilities, the new organization will also work closely with Uptown Bill’s who is a current tenant at the PATV facility on Lafayette Street. “Since 2001, Uptown Bill’s has been a gathering place for people of all ages and abilities to work, play, listen and create in a safe and comfortable environment. Their “all ages, any are welcome” venue meshes perfectly with our ethos. It has provided a venue to practice and to showcase a diversity of artists, offer volunteer and workplace experience for individuals with and without disabilities, and provide a community forum on abilities awareness”, said Mr. Eng elbrecht. “We value that legacy and intend to work to complement it under our new, expanded PS1 organization.”, said Eng elbrecht. “We are very excited to continue the mission of Public Access Television (PATV) for Iowa City by collaborating with John and the team at Public Space One”, said Tom Nothnagle, President and Board Chair of PATV. “Technology is changing rapidly, and so is the way that content is created and distributed. By integrating our NEWS RELEASE Sept. 18, 2019 resources and technology with PS1, we can now continue to provide access to production and distribution of localized content for the local Johnson County community and avoid having that valuable service fade away”, said Mr. Nothnagle. Current operations at Public Access Television – Channel 18 will be suspended soon and a brief transition period is planned to redesign the facilities, business practices, and operating guidelines for the new PS1 organization. More details will be released soon about short-term hours of operation for current PATV members and the timing for the new organization and launch plan. For more information about this release, media contacts are as follows: Public Space One (PS1) John Engelbrecht Director Phone: 319-331-8893 Email: john@publicspaceone.com Public Access Television – Channel 18 Greg Crosby PATV Board Member Phone: 319-621-2424 Email: gcrosbynextgen@gmail.com About Public Space One (PS1) Public Space One (PS1) is an artist-led, community-driven, contemporary art center founded in 2002. We aim to: • provide an independent, innovative, diverse, and inclusive space for making and presenting art • produce unique programs that stretch boundaries and present diverse perspectives • provide resources for artists and cultural educational opportunities, and • advocate for the importance of art in everyday life for any and everyone. About Public Access Television – Channel 18 PATV-Channel 18 has for the last 25 years been the only free speech, public access channel that provides area residents free training and access to equipment that allows them to create and broadcast programs for the community. Public Access Television is a resource dedicated to diversity in community communication. PATV has provided opportunities for local citizens to make use of current technology to exchange information and ideas and to participate in the democratic process. PATV has promoted media literacy through training in media production and critical viewing. Date: ​September 16, 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 September 2019 meeting Media Production Services Submitted by Jack Brooks, Special Projects Assistant, and Ty Coleman, Media Production Services Coord. Recent production activities: ●Coverage of the United Way of Johnson and Washington Counties’ Campaign Kickoff event. ●Recording the last concert of the Summer of the Arts’ 2019 Friday Night Concert Series. ●Recording an informational forum sponsored by the Johnson County Livable Community Housing Action Team as part of its Aging in Place series. This forum focused on ways to prevent falls in your home. ●Topics covered for episodes of our weekly ​Iowa City Update​ ​program included Back to School Safety, Dog Paddle, Jingle Cross, and Rental Tips. ●Produced ​Community Highlight​ videos from the Farm to Street Dinner, Emergency Response Training, Taste of Market, and Taste of Iowa City. ●Created PSA videos on how to deal with storm debris and the role of the Streets Division. Upcoming productions: ●Candidate forums for those running for a seat on the Iowa City City Council. ●An Iowa City Book Festival lecture, featuring author and activist Raj Patel. ●The annual luncheon program of the Iowa Women’s Foundation, who is celebrating 25 years of improving the lives of Iowa’s women and girls. ●Upcoming Iowa City Update topics include the Housing Rehab Program, Northside Oktoberfest, and more. Programming and Interactive Services Submitted by Kevin Crawley, Communications Technician Website: In August, there were 4,661 users accessing 7,630 pages in 6,073 sessions. Our most popular pages were Mediacom's channel lineup page, page, our home page, Mediacom's channel rates, our live-video page, our watch-online page and our program schedule. On YouTube, we had 6,765 video views account for 21,129 minutes (352 hours and 9 minutes) of watch time. We added 14 more subscribers, and our current total is 688. Our most watched videos by views were the Welcome to Iowa City! video, Iowa City in Focus, Iowa City Update episodes on Emergency Training, National Night Out and Climate Crisis Declaration.The most watched videos by time were the Council live stream of August 6, the Hindustani Vocal Concert, the Council live stream of August 20, and the latest episode of Iowa City in Focus. I generally just note the top 3-7 videos in my monthly report, but I've attached a spreadsheet showing some of the breadth of programming that is viewed. I’ve included 30 of the 500+ videos that were watched in August. Please note that some of the videos are also posted to the City’s Facebook page, where they receive additional views. Top viewed programs in August Title Views City Council Meetings of August 6, 2019 51 Welcome to Iowa City! 1536 CARTHA: North Indian (Hindustani) Classical Vocal Concert by Dr. Ashwini Bhide 134 City Council Meetings of August 20, 2019 36 Iowa City In Focus: Treatment for the Emerald Ash Borer 338 History - Iowa in the Civil War 30 Iowa City City Council Meeting of August 20, 2019 24 Iowa City City Council Meeting of August 6, 2019 37 Iowa City Update: Emergency Training Exercise 222 Iowa City Update: Climate Crisis Declaration 148 Iowa City Update: 2019 National Night Out 156 Prison Dog Training Program 115 Iowa City Update: School Safety Reminders 96 Police practice defensive tactics with Iowa wrestling team 97 Slam O Vision Poetry Slam 2019 21 Iowa City Fire Department recruitment video 64 Join the Iowa City Police Department 53 Iowa City Dog Parks 41 How to Use Curbside Collection 93 Mazahir Salih interview 46 Iowa City Online - Utility Bill Payment 134 Single Stream Recycling 40 MusicIC 2019 - PROGRAM I: À LA RUSSE 18 Building Trades Apprenticeship Programs 39 Mormon Trek Boulelvard - Four to Three Lane Conversion 54 Ashton House video tour 58 Iowa City establishes new rental permit requirements 30 2019 Iowa City Monarch Festival Promo 93 Water Purification Process 27 Restoring Historic Cabins 26 Programs Completed by the Cable TV Office in August 2019 ●2019 Farm to Street Dinner ●2019 Friday Night Concert Series ○Grupo Innstinto ○Rude Punch ●2019 Leaf Vacuum Program ●2019 Soul & Blues Festival ●Aging in Place Forum ○Changes to Your Homes & Resources to Help ○Stay Active ●Economic Development Committee Meeting of 08/28/2019 ●Iowa City City Council Meetings ○August 6, 2019 ○August 20, 2019 ●Iowa City City Council Work Sessions ○August 6, 2019 ○August 20, 2019 ●Iowa City Foreign Relations Council Presents ○Neoliberalism, Chicago Boys, and the Americas ●Iowa City In Focus: Tree Treatment for the Emerald Ash Borer ○Topics: ■Emerald Ash Borer treatment ■Riverfront Crossings Park Grand Opening ■Iowa City traffic stop study data ■Iowa City Monarch Festival ■Kids Day at the Farmers Market ●Iowa City Update weekly episodes ○Back to School Safety ○Climate Crisis Declaration ○Emergency Training Exercise ○National Night Out ●Kids Day at the Farmers Market ●Market Music 2019 ○Ines and Matt Cring ○The Twisted Roots ○The Young Ramblers ○Ingrid Streitz ●Party in the Park - Thornberry Dog Park ●Riverfront Crossings Park - Grand Opening ●Slam Poetry Open Mic ●Soul & Blues Fest 2019: Black Authors Panel ●What does our Streets Division do?