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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 08Lakeville Memorandum To: Mayor and City Council Members Allyn Kuennen, Interim City Administrator From: Sue Palm, Communications Manager Date: Monday, Nov. 24, 2014 Subject: Consideration of Cable Board restructure City of Lakeville Communications City Council members have recently expressed an interest in reviewing the structure and responsibilities of the Cable TV Board. The Board was originally established in 1982 and has been changed by resolution five times over the years. The most recent changes occurred in 2011. Over the course of its 32 years of existence, the changes in responsibility have been due mainly to franchise changes, changes in the FCC rulings, and changes in technology. History 7982 -Cable Board was formed after the first cable franchise. It was created to provide advice to the City Council on cable TV franchise, renewals and administration, including performance and programming. Resolution called for seven members - including one from each school district. 7990 - Membership changed to eight members - still including one from each school district. Added making recommendations to the Council on use of the franchise funds. 1998 -Minor changes concerning membership and attendance. 1999 - Established a Telecommunications Commission. The City recognized the progression of technology and added new areas of responsibility - including fiber and technology. For several years during this time period metro cities had the ability to collect franchise fees on the Internet portion of bills, providing the impetus for including telecommunications and Internet in the duties. 2011- Reestablished a Cable Board and removed technology and telecommunications responsibilities, The board now focused on cable franchise administration only. Membership changed to five members. Current Cable Board Currently, the Cable TV Board structure limits the area of responsibility specifically to that of Cable Franchise administration. The current Board of five members is recognized as one of the strongest boards in the metro area. Expertise on the board includes members with knowledge in both the areas of cable and telecommunications. • Robin Selvig — Currently employed as Customer Relations Manager for MVTA. Served on previous Cable Board, Telecommunications Commission, and the City's Business and Technology Task Force in 2007. Was part of advisory group that set up the Burnsville/Eagan cable and technology board. • Mike Reardon —Currently serves as the St. Paul Cable Communications Officer, overseeing franchise, government access, broadband, and telecommunications. Twenty years of service to local government in the telecommunications field. Currently president of MACTA, the Minnesota Association of Telecommunications Administrators. • C. John Harrison — Currently serves as Manager of Cable and Media services for the City of Minneapolis. Has extensive knowledge in technology and fiber. • Terry Lind — member of the previous Telecommunications Commission, teacher and Principal for Lakeville public schools. • Doug Thompson — Currently retired from the telecom industry, previous member of the City's Telecommunications Commission, previous instructor in Telecommunications for DCTC. Recommendations At the Nov. 12 Cable Board meeting members reviewed the Board history, discussed other cities boards, and formed a recommendation for the Council's consideration. The board recommends: Changing back into a Telecommunications Commission, The commission would oversee administration of the cable franchise including public access television and right-of-way. Also seek and assess potential opportunities and partnerships in telecommunications, broadband, and fiber technology. Membership: Nine members: three with expertise in cable television; three with IT/broadband/fiber expertise; and the final three from technology or business. Staff liaisons would be Communication Manager and IT Manager. Economic Development and Planning would be resources as appropriate. Board would meet quarterly and as needed. Staff is available any time prior to the Work Session to answer questions or supply additional information.