HomeMy WebLinkAboutICTC-Agenda-and-Packet-2016-12-12
AGENDA
IOWA CITY TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
CITY CABLE TV OFFICE, 10 S. LINN ST., TOWER PLACE PARKING FACILITY, LEVEL 3A
DECEMBER 12, 2016, 5:30PM
1. Call to order
2. Approval of minutes
3. Announcements of Commissioners
4. Short public announcements
5. REPORTS
Consumer Issues
Mediacom Report
Local Access Reports
City Cable TV Office Report
6. Adjournment
DRAFT
MINUTES
Iowa City Telecommunications Commission
October 24, 2016 – 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 5:30 P.M.
Members Present:Nick Kilburg, Laura Bergus, Derek Johnk
Members Absent:Paul Gowder
Staff Present:Ty Coleman
Others Present:Gerardo Sandoval, Bond Drager
Recommendations to Council : NONE
Approval of Minutes:
Bergus moved and Kilburg seconded a motion to approve the September 26, 2016
minutes as presented. The motion passed unanimously.
Announcements of Commissioners:
None
Short Public Announcements:
None
Consumer Issues:
Johnk noted that there were a number of issues presented in the September 2016
consumer issues report. Coleman highlighted one issue that was part of the previous
month’s report that was still in the process of being resolved.
Johnk said that the issue regarding build-out of Mediacom’s service seemed to be moving
along. Coleman said he recently received an estimated completion date of November 9th
for the area mentioned in the issue report, as well as for another area that would be
included in the October 2016 report. Bergus asked where the developments were located
in Iowa City. Coleman said that one is on Shire Lane, involving two newly-built
multi-family units, and the other is on Lexington Avenue, involving newly-built homes
that were located in the middle of an existing neighborhood. Coleman said that the issue
was reported to have been due to a Mediacom staffing issue that was being resolved.
Coleman noted that after receiving complaints about these two very similar issues within
a week, he felt it made sense to contact higher-level Mediacom representatives as part of
the complaint resolution process. Coleman said that while the local staff do a good job of
1
DRAFT
providing information, in cases like these, they usually have limited details available.
Johnk mentioned the discussion from the previous Telecommunications Meeting
regarding the location and mapping of cable runs in Iowa City and asked if there was an
update on locating maps and determining whether there was confidential information to
be removed. Coleman said he had not yet been able to look into this but said once he
found the maps that were referenced in the discussion, he would check with staff to see
what limitations might exist with regards to their use.
Johnk asked about additional Internet service providers who might currently be building
out their own system. Johnk wondered if it would be possible to reach out to ImOn to see
what their plan is for residential build-out. Coleman said he would ask about this, though
noted that it was information the company may not be interested in sharing.
Mediacom Report not including litigation:
No report was provided.
Local Access Reports:
Gerardo Sandoval highlighted PATV’s success with a recent Bike-In Theatre involving
the Iowa City Bike Library and Little Village. Sandoval referred to these organizations
and others located in the same part of the city and noted that they were working together
to support each other’s events. Sandoval said this was a good way to bring in the public
and share with the community. Sandoval said that plans were in the works to collaborate
with FilmScene for future events to be held in the spring.
Sandoval also highlighted PATV’s work with a non-profit known as InterDance. The
group consists of members of other area dance organizations and holds community dance
events and other activities.
Johnk asked Sandoval if there were any limitations on where the Bike-In Theatre events
could take place. Sandoval said that they obtained a sound permit from the City since
they were amplifying the sound. He said that since the events occur within PATV’s
parking lot, as long as they have the proper permitting they are okay. Sandoval noted
that the City sound ordinance gives some restrictions as to how late the event can go.
Johnk suggested that if events were ever to be held outside of PATV’s property, it might
be helpful to coordinate with the City’s Parks Department with regards to licensing
required for showing films in public.
Sandoval commented that the Iowa City biking community is strong and that the event is
a good community event.
Bond Drager from the Iowa City Public Library noted that she had brought a hardcopy of
the Library’s report to the Commission. Drager also highlighted a special moment that
2
DRAFT
occured at a recent program about African American History at the University of Iowa.
The program featured one panelist who, in 1956, had been the first African American
woman elected as Homecoming Queen at a state university. Drager commented that at
the event, University of Iowa President Bruce Harreld had requested to make some
remarks and formerly apologized to the woman for the University’s treatment of her
during this time. Drager noted the woman had expressed in an interview prior to the
event that the University had never formally acknowledged her as the elected
homecoming queen and had treated her poorly. Drager commented on the value of
recording programs like these and stated that if the Library staff hadn’t been recording,
this moment may have been lost forever.
Sandoval added that the Bike-In Theatre event he discussed had been done in honor of
National Community Media Day.
City Cable TV Office Report:
Coleman said that the Cable TV Office would be working with the Johnson County
Coalition Against Domestic Violence to cover its annual Pat Meyer Vision Award
program. Coleman also said that staff was in the process of working with the Human
Rights Office to put together a short presentation about what the office offers, noting that
it would be useful in educating the public about situations in which one should consider
seeking help from the Human Rights staff.
Coleman highlighted that the Cable TV Office would be presenting a live stream of
election results on Channel 5 on election night, as provided by the Johnson County
Auditor’s Office.
Coleman said that the Cable TV Office would be including snow-related information in
upcoming programs as winter approaches. Details about rules and regulations, the City’s
snow ordinance, and clearing snow off of sidewalks would be covered.
Coleman noted the date of the next Telecommunications Meeting, Monday, November
28th, saying that it would not likely be impacted by the Thanksgiving holiday.
Coleman said he had asked Mediacom if there was any news to report to the Commission
and hadn’t yet received anything.
Johnk asked if there had been any progress in filling the vacant spot on the
Telecommunications Commission. Coleman said he hadn’t heard anything, but that the
City Clerk’s Office had posted the vacancy. Coleman said he would check with the
Clerk’s Office to see if there had been any recent activity related to this.
Adjournment:
Kilburg moved and Bergus seconded a motion to adjourn. The motion passed
unanimously. Adjournment was at 5:43 p.m.
3
December 8, 2016
To: Iowa City Telecommunications Commission
From: Ty Coleman, Media Production Services Coordinator (MPSC)
Re: Cable Complaints - November 2016
Ongoing Issues:
1.)
Late Payment Charges and Collections Fees
Date: Originated on 08/09/16
Update:
Payment has not yet been received from the customer. Mediacom has sent notice of the amount due after having removed a
late fee. The account is in the hands of the collections agency.
2.)
Problems with CenturyLink DSL
Date: Originated on 10/08/16
Update:
MPSC followed up to be sure CenturyLink had been able to resolve the issue with the customer and the customer reported
that nothing had been resolved. The customer mentioned that someone from CenturyLink had stopped by, but was there to
resolve a cable burial issue, which was not the issue.
MPSC followed up with CenturyLink’s Chad Sanasack to check on the status of the issue. No reply has yet been received.
New Issues:
1.)
Date: 11/01/16
Method of contact: Phone call to MPSC
Complaint/Comment Summary:
Customer called to ask about getting the cable on his lawn buried.
Resolution Summary:
MPSC presented the issue to Mediacom’s Rick Karnes, who arranged for the cable to be buried and reported it to have been
completed by 11/07/16.
Date of Resolution:11/07/16
2.)
Date: 11/07/16
Method of contact: Phone call to MPSC
Issue/Comment Summary:
A CenturyLink customer complained that she had a phone line on her lawn that had been there since February 2016.
Resolution Summary:
MPSC forwarded the issue to CenturyLink’s Chad Sanasack, who said that CenturyLink staff would contact the customer.
MPSC spoke with the customer later and was told that someone had called her to say burial of the cable would be complete
within the week.
MPSC later followed up with the customer, who reported that the cable had been buried, but noted that there were some
communication problems in getting it arranged and also mentioned that there was an issue with the cable being connected to
the residence. The customer said she was uncertain if this had been resolved, due to being out of town, and would report the
status once she knew.
Date of Resolution: Unresolved until the customer’s service is connected and operating as expected.
3.)
Date: 11/18/16
Method of contact: Online cable complaint form via the citychannel4.com website
Issue/Comment Summary:
Resident complained that after moving into a newly constructed home and learned that he could not get Mediacom service,
despite having made prior arrangements and pre-paid. Resident was later told he was not eligible and that his area would be
revisited in the spring of 2017.
Resolution Summary:
MPSC forwarded the issue to Mediacom’s Construction Coordinator, Tim Eagan. Eagan informed MPSC that this was another
project missed by staff, as had occurred with a couple other areas. (These issues presented to the MPSC in September and
October 2016.) Eagan said that there was not enough time to get this project approved and construction completed before the
cold weather prevents underground work. Eagan said the plan is to complete the build-out in the area in the spring.
MPSC asked if there were any other known areas that had been missed. Eagan stated that there were no others of which he
was aware.
MPSC informed the resident. The resident understood the situation, though was still frustrated due to the lack of options
available.
MPSC will follow-up in the early spring to check on this issue.
Date of Resolution: 11/23/16
4.)
Date: 11/29/16
Method of contact: Phone call to Communications Office
Issue/Comment Summary:
Mediacom phone customer called MPSC to ask if it was safe to cut a telephone cable installed in her home that was no longer
in use.
Resolution Summary:
MPSC asked Rick Karnes if he could have someone call the customer to assist. Karnes later reported that the customer had
been contacted and her question had been answered.
Date of Resolution: 11/30/16
Mediacom Communications Corporation
1 Mediacom Way • Mediacom Park, NY 10918 • 845-443-2600 • Fax 845-698-4100
Mediacom Communications Marks 20th Anniversary
by Announcing $1 Billion Capital Investment
Wide-scale Deployment of 1-Gig Broadband Service Headlines List of Company Initiatives
Mediacom Park, NY – March 14, 2016 – In recognition of the 20th anniversary of its first cable
system purchase, Mediacom Communications announced today that the Company intends to invest $1
billion over the next 3 years to, among other projects, upgrade and expand its national broadband
network. Headlining the list of planned company initiatives is “Project Gigabit,” a wide-scale
deployment of 1 gigabit per second broadband services to virtually all of the 3 million homes and
businesses within the 1,500 communities located in Mediacom’s 22 state footprint.
“From the time we acquired our first cable system in March 1996, Mediacom’s focus has always been
to offer the smaller communities we serve the same communications and video services that are
available in America’s largest cities,” said Mediacom’s founder and CEO, Rocco B. Commisso.
“Project Gigabit will allow us to go even further by giving our customers access to one of the fastest
broadband networks in the world.”
Project Gigabit will build upon the residential gigabit product launches completed by Mediacom in
2015 and the widely available Gigabit+ Fiber SolutionsTM offered by Mediacom Business today. The
Company expects to bring the first wave of Project Gigabit communities online as early as the fourth
quarter of 2016. Unlike some other 1-Gig providers whose services are limited to selected
neighborhoods and/or are relying on federal, state or local taxpayer subsidies, Mediacom will invest its
own money to make gigabit speeds available to essentially all of the residences and businesses along its
network.
In addition to Project Gigabit, Mediacom’s $1 billion capital investment plan will fund a number of
other important customer initiatives including:
• Expansion of Mediacom Business’s high-capacity network inside downtown areas and
commercial districts in order to create more “lit buildings” within the Company’s footprint and
bring tens of thousands of new business customers on-net with immediate access to fiber-based
communications services.
• Extension of Mediacom’s deep-fiber residential video, Internet and phone network in order to
pass at least an additional 50,000 homes.
• Deployment of community Wi-Fi access points throughout high-traffic commercial and public
areas across Mediacom’s national footprint.
“The $4.2 billion in private capital invested by Mediacom over the last 20 years has allowed us to,
among other things, create an all-digital video network, launch a variety of advanced broadband
services and deploy nearly 600,000 strand miles of fiber,” continued Commisso. “We decided to
accelerate our capital spending over the next 3 years because our Company wants to be the engine that
drives economic growth and development for businesses and residents in the communities we serve.”
For Immediate Release
About Mediacom Communications
Mediacom Communications Corporation is the eighth largest cable operator in the U.S. serving about
1.3 million customers in smaller markets primarily in the Midwest and Southeast through its wholly-
owned subsidiaries, Mediacom Broadband LLC and Mediacom LLC. Mediacom offers a wide array of
information, communications and entertainment services to households and businesses, including video,
high-speed data, phone, and home security and automation. Through Mediacom Business, the company
provides innovative broadband solutions to commercial and public sector customers of all sizes, and
sells advertising and production services under the OnMedia brand. More information about Mediacom
is available at www.mediacomcc.com.
Contact:
Tom Larsen
SVP – Government & Public Relations
845-443-2754
tlarsen@mediacomcc.com
Date: December 7, 2016
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 December 2016 meeting
Media Production Services
Recent production activities:
●Covered the Englert Theatre’s annual “Festival of Carols”.
●Recorded 2 Iowa City Foreign Relations Council meetings including the topics such as an
average day in Damascus, Syria.
●Recorded the State Historical Society of Iowa’s “History for Lunch” series about an analysis
of the Civil War through the study of Iowa’s history at the time.
●Recorded the Preucil School of Music’s Piano Festival.
●Covered a public forum held by the Iowa City Police department for its accreditation
process with the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies.
●Shot and produced 2 Iowa City Updates. Topics included a proposed Public Art Project
seeking ideas, Holiday for the Hounds fundraiser, Holiday Farmers Market, and the Master
Parks Plan.
●Created a December edition of Iowa City In Focus that reviewed the purpose and status of
the First Avenue Grade Separation Project. Other topics included parking rules during a
snow emergency, holiday events as part of the ‘Tis the Season campaign, and an Eagle
Scout project that put an osprey nesting platform up at Terry Trueblood Recreation Area.
Upcoming productions:
●Record the Iowa City City Council’s Economic Development Committee meeting on
December 13.
●Cover an Iowa City Foreign Relations Council lecture with featuring former congressman
Jim Leach.
●Record the Greater Iowa City Area Student Scholarship Show Choir event.
●Record the City Manager’s opening statement to the budget process and the Capital
Improvement Projects portion of the City of Iowa City’s budget meetings.
●Continue producing weekly Iowa City Update program on varying projects and events
happening in Iowa City.
●Complete a December edition of Iowa City In Focus, which will include an outline of the
Washington Streetscape Project as the project wraps up.
●Community Highlight projects in December will include the Holiday Tuba Concert, Thieves’
Market, ‘Tis the Season, Holiday with the Hounds and Winter Solstice Program.
Programming and Interactive Services
Recent and Upcoming Projects:
Created a slideshow of photographs of the City’s recent Employee Appreciation Lunch. Continued
work to improve stability and accuracy on both the InfoVision video-on-demand system and our
scheduled programming playback system.
Website:
In November, we had 3,892 users access 7,137 pages in 5,787 sessions. Our most popular pages
were Mediacom's channel lineup, our home page, our video page, Mediacom's cable rates, our
program schedule, and Meet The Candidates page.
Our streaming media provider reports 11,018 total hits, which includes 3,729 Events (player window
was loaded), 574 Sessions (media was played), and 5,065 OnDemand Hits (media was scrubbed or
index point was clicked). 1,518 podcasts were downloaded, and our HQ media was accessed 124
times. Our live stream was accessed 643 times.
YouTube reports 20,868 views for 182 hours and 14 minutes. Our most popular videos last month
were the City Council meeting of Nov 15, the November episode of Iowa City in Focus, the Jeff
Speck presentation: Toward a More Walkable City, and the League of Women Voters panel
discussion of Voting Rights for Returning Citizens.
Programming:
We cablecast 127 programs produced in-house 905 times for 547 hours of programming, 36
locally-produced (DITV, Senior Center, Hoover Library, JC Board of Supervisors, Coralville, North
Liberty and University Heights) programs 108 times for 111 hours of programming, and 21 imported
programs 67 times for 29 hours of programming. We also showed 89 PSAs 1090 times for 26 hours
of programming.
Below, you will find a complete list of programs completed in November 2016 by the Cable TV
Office.
Programs Completed by the Cable TV Office in November 2016
●Iowa City Book Festival 2016
○Who Do You Read?
○Binaries on the Run
○Indie Authors
●2016 Pat Meyer Vision Award
●Iowa City Foreign Relations Council
○Seven Myths About Immigration
○Murder to Justice - Iowa to China: A Cross-National Collaboration
○The Sad State of Turkish Democracy: Why We Should Care
●LWV: Why Can't We Vote?: Voting Rights for Returning Citizens
●Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce - A Toast to Our Communities Breakfast Program
2016
●History for Lunch - Invisible Hawkeyes: African Americans at the University of Iowa During
the Long Civil Rights Era
●Iowa City City Council Work Session
○November 1, 2016
○November 15, 2016
●Iowa City City Council Meeting
○November 1, 2016
○November 15, 2016
●Building and Crossing Bridges Together - Panel Discussion
●MPOJC Urbanized Area Policy Board meeting of 11/16/16
●Benefits of Disability in the Workplace: Mythbusting Common Barriers
●First Avenue Grade Separation Project Update November 2016
●Iowa City Update
○Meet the Police Chief Finalists
○Weatherization Program
○Small Business Saturday
○Public Art Project
●Iowa City In Focus
○December 2016 - First Avenue Construction, Snow Emergency, ‘Tis the Season,
Osprey Nesting Platform
●Community Highlights - Volunteer Service Day 2016
●Holiday Thieves Market 2016 PSA
The Library Channel
Report prepared for the Iowa City Telecommunications Commission monthly meeting by Bond Drager, Equipment
Specialist. December 2016
The Library Channel Monthly Update:
The library has had some notable children’s programming as usual this December:
• Ellen Buchanan performed a special storytime with puppets and artwork
• Combined Efforts Men’s Choir performed for the Cocoa and Carols event
• Casey performed a Winter Stories Sing-a-Long
• Ballet Quad Cities visited to show excerpts from their performance of The Nutcracker
• Regina Orchestra and Choir will give a special holiday performance
• A special gingerbread themed storytime will be held followed by gingerbread decorating and holiday crafts
• Noon Year’s Eve Party: Join us at 11:30 and we will count down to noon with a balloon drop and dancing
Monthly Program Update:
This month: December 2016 Next Month: January 2017
Live Children’s Programs • 2 • 0
Live Children’s Special Events • 7 • 0
Live Adult Programs • 0 • 3
Programs Cablecast • 559
Programs videotaped by
Govt. Channel/CTS
• 1 • 0