LACAC Meeting Minutes for February 21, 2012
Members present: Gary Bernklow, Chris Funkhouser, Lisa Lavina. Len Golder joined the meeting at 8:30 pm.
Cable Advisory Committee Members present: Arny Buckman, Bob Mong
Also present: Anne Van Tine, Stow TV Coordinator, Kathy O’Keefe, Assistant Coordinator, Bill August Esq. representing Stow. Tim Kelly, Comcast Representative, arrived at 7:10 pm and left at 8:40.
The meeting was called to order 7:00 pm. Attendees briefly reviewed the main negotiating points.
Tim Kelly joined the meeting at 7:10 pm. Negotiations began with a review of the ascertainment document submitted to Comcast. Stow representatives gave further background on the estimate of future operational expenses, and how they related to the request for an increase to the subscriber-fee percentage over what Stow currently receives.
There was discussion of the rate request in relation to the revenue received via the Verizon contract. Mr. Kelly implied that Comcast saw no need to go beyond that level of funding. Attendees challenged that view and Mr. Kelly commented that he had to try it. There was no resolution or commitment on funding percentage.
Also discussed were the proposed Stow/Bolton switch, and the prospects for a third channel. There was no resolution or commitment on this.
Attendees agreed to meet again on March 20, 2012. It was agreed that in the interim, Attorney August and Mr. Kelly would work on the contract, with Attorney August providing updates to Stow. Mr. Kelly agreed to have a marked up contract for the March 20th meeting.
Mr. Kelly left the meeting at 8:40.
Bernklow moved, and Funkhouser seconded approval of the minutes of the February 21 minutes as submitted. This was unanimously approved.
Attorney August gave a wrap up review of the session and commented on additional information needed or cases to be made, including:
- Calculation of the percentage increases needed to reach the budget projections.
- Customer head count from Verizon.
- Development of a plan for 2 channels: either 2 wholly operated by Stow, or 1 operated by Stow and the other managed as a Stow/Bolton switch.
- Determination of what programming coming from Bolton is of value to Stow viewers.
- Bill August believes that Comcast will agree to the continuation of the senior discount and iNet.
Adjournment 9:00 pm
Golder moved and Funkhouser seconded meeting adjournment. Approved unanimously.
Prepared by: ___________________________________________________
Lisa Lavina
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