LACAC Meeting Minutes for March 20, 2012
This was a joint meeting with the Cable License Advisory Committee (CLAC).
Members present: Gary Bernklow, Chris Funkhouser, Lisa Lavina, Len Golder joined the meeting at 9:40 pm
Also present: Anne Van Tine, Stow TV Coordinator, William August, Esq., Lew Halprin, and CLAC members Arny Buckman and Bob Mong, Comcast rep Tim Kelly joined the meeting at 7:30pm
The Meeting was called to order at 7:05pm
Committee members and Atty August began the meeting with a review of where we are in the process and a reminder of the key items we want to negotiate into the contract.
Comcast rep Tim Kelly joined the meeting at 7:30pm
We began the review by walking through the financials, including a discussion of the proposed fee percentages over the term of the 10-year contract, and the capital contribution Comcast is initially proposing. Members indicated that the fee percentages proposed by Mr. Kelly were not acceptable. Mr. Kelly indicated the Comcast probably would not pay more for capital contribution than what was paid by Verizon, pro-rated to length of the contract. Members conveyed to Mr. Kelly that Stow needs two programmable channels as well as continuing to be able to view the Bolton channel.
After discussion and questions, we moved on to a review of the draft contract. The goal of this review was for Mr. Kelly’s understanding of Stow’s goals for this contract, as well as for Stow to get some understanding of where the contract has flexibility, and where Comcast has been taking firmer stances in other recent contract negotiations.
Discussions concluded with a discussion of next steps:
- Mr. Kelly will send a Comcast mark-up of the contract to Atty. August
- Atty. August will review the mark-up and begin negotiations with Mr. Kelly
- Atty. August will return to LACAC/CLAC for a meeting on the mark-ups and preliminary negotiations and to get guidance from the Stow committees.
- The next joint meeting will take place in approx.. 4 weeks.
Mr. Kelly left the meeting at 9:15pm. The Joint meeting continued after Mr. Kelly’s departure. There was a brief discussion of the conversation with Mr. Kelly. Atty. August listed the most significant items in the contract whose negotiation will be guided by the Stow committees:
- User Fee percentages
- Capital contribution
- Number of viewable/accessible channels.
Attorney August departed at 9:30pm.
CLAC members left the meeting at 9:35pm.
Meeting Minutes and Reports approval:
Bernklow moved, and Funhouser seconded, approving the minutes of the February 19th meeting. Unanimously approved.
Bernklow moved, and Funkhouser seconded, adopting the annual report of the Local Access Cable Advisory Committee. Unanimously approved.
CLAC members left the meeting at 9:35pm.
Renewal of Assistant Coordinator and Technical Assistant Contracts
Lavina moved, and Golder seconded, that we approve the Assistant Coordinator’s contract, with a 3% salary increase and the addition of one hour to the work week. Unanimously approved
Bernklow moved, and Funkhouser seconded, that we approve the Technical Assistant’s contract, with a 3% increase. Unanimously approved
Meeting Adjourned
Bernklow moved, and Funkhouser seconded, that we adjourn the meeting at 9:50pm. The motion passed unanimously.
Prepared by: _________________________________
Anne VanTine
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