APPROVED MINUTES

CABLE ACCESS ADVISORY COMMISSION

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

PRESENT: Bob Balwinski, Scott Cochran, Bob Granstra, Roy Green

ABSENT: Linda Malekadeli

Also Present: Ron Beacom – MCTV Director, Melissa Barnard – Library Director, Sheri Tausk-Office Assistant

I. Call to Order: Beacom called meeting to order at 7p.m.

II. Minutes: September 12, 2012 approved as submitted.

III. Public Comments:

No public comment

IV. Old Business:

a. CAAC Goals, 2012-13

Quarterly receive report on status of Cable Communications Fund

Quarterly receive report on activities of Friends of MCTV

Quarterly receive report on status of video franchising laws and legislation

Inform access users and public about challenges and opportunities facing MCTV

Inform public about benefits of MCTV

Participate in MCTV’s Honors Night 2012

b. CAAC Annual Report, 2011-12

Approved and submitted by the board

c. Cable Communications Fund

Attached

Workshops- we will get a bump in the next few months when we sign kids up for 3 video camps.

Access User Fees- we will get a bump in the next couple months because that fee was implemented in March of 2007. Fifty nine notices were just mailed out at beginning of week. April is also a big month for access fee collection.

d. Friends of MCTV

Beacom reported the fund balance is just under $31,000. They are going to donate money for purchasing field equipment for MCTV. MCTV will be asking for $25,000. Friends next board meeting is March 12, 2013.

V. New Business –

a. AT & T’s U-Verse

Beacom stated that MCTV is starting the process to send our signal to AT&T to be on their U-Verse product. We are already collecting 26% of our franchise fees from AT&T. There are approximately 3,000 AT&T subscribers (connections) in City of Midland. We have been receiving more inquiries from public as to why we are not on AT&T. One extra benefit for MCTV is that we will be on the Flint-Saginaw service area for AT&T, which means some viewers in Bay City, Saginaw, and Flint will be able to receive MCTV.

We are in the process of requesting bids. Conservatively speaking, we should be active within 4-6 weeks after receiving encoders. A status report will be given at the Cable Access meeting of May 8, 2013. If we are up and running prior to that, emails will be sent to board members.

b. CAAC Terms of Service

Attached

Robert Balwinski announced he will not seek another term on the commission after his term ends in June.

VI. Announcements

Friends of MCTV Board Mtg, Tuesday, March 12, 5:30pm

ACM Michigan/NATOA Workshop/Meeting, Wednesday, March 13, 8:30am-5:30pm, Lansing

Friends of the Library Book Sale February 22, 23, & 24.

VII. Adjournment at 7:25pm

Next meeting is May 8, 2013 at 7pm, Council Chambers