HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-02-01 Bd Comm minutes4b 1
IOWA CITY TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION APPROVED
MONDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2010--5:30 P.M.
CITY CABLE TV OFFICE, 10 S. LINN ST.-TOWER PLACE PARKING FACILITY
MEMBERS PRESENT: Hans Hoerschelman, Saul Mekies, Laura Bergus, Nolan Klouda
MEMBERS ABSENT: Gary Hagen
STAFF PRESENT: Mike Brau, Bob Hardy
OTHERS PRESENT:
RECOMMENDATIONS TO CITY COUNCIL
None at this time.
SUMMARY OF DISCUSSION
The draft Triennial Review report was unanimously approved with minor changes.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Bergus moved and Hoerschelman seconded a motion to approve the November 22, 2010
Triennial Review public hearing minutes. The motion passed unanimously.
APPROVAL OF DRAFT TRIENNIAL REVIEW REPORT
Mekies suggested that the report include language making it clear that the basic tier rates have
risen faster than inflation and that in this day and age the basic tier is a necessary service just as
telephone service. Cable TV plays a vital role in meeting the information needs of citizens.
Mekies said that slow Internet speeds have been a consistent complaint. Hardy said while this is
true, the Triennial Review is supposed to focus on cable TV service, as the City has no
regulatory authority with respect to Internet service. The Triennial Review does include
language noting the shared nature of the system and the effect of the limitations on bandwidth.
Hoerschelman said that language on the compression ratios used by Mediacom for high
definition signals should be added. Bergus said language noting that Mediacom has no plans to
upgrade the plant beyond 860 MHz should be included. Hoerschelman said Mediacom's plan to
provide free digital to analog converter boxes to subscribers as part of the transition to all digital
transmission should be added. Mekies said that the section that compares Iowa City consumer
rates to national averages should be expanded to include the effect of competition on subscriber
rates as demonstrated by Federal Communications Commission. Mekies noted that the Internet
service frequently is congested during peak times and noted that Mediacom launched a 100-
megabit service in Waterloo. Mekies asked why Waterloo had the service and Iowa City did not.
Bergus said that Mediacom had approached Iowa City as a place where they would have liked to
provide that service first but the City took too long to act. Mekies moved and Bergus seconded a
motion to approve the draft Triennial Review report with the agreed upon changes. The motion
passed unanimously.
ADJOURNMENT
Bergus moved and Hoerschelman seconded a motion to adjourn. The motion passed
unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 6:28.
Respectfully submitted,
Michael Brau
Cable TV Administrative Aide