HomeMy WebLinkAbout[06] Cable Operations Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the City Council for the City of St. Joseph met in special session
on Tuesday January 25 at 5:00 PM in the St. Joseph City Hall.
Members Present: Mayor Rick Schultz. Councilors Dale Wick, Bob Loso, Renee Symanietz, Steve
Frank. Administrator Judy Weyrens.
City Representatives Present: Finance Director Lori Bartlett, Police Chief Pete Jansky, Public Works
Director Terry Thene.
Others Present: Ellen Wahlstrom, Mike McDonald, Tom Klein, Brad Veenstra.
Mayor Schultz called the hearing to order and stated the purpose of the meeting is to discuss the Cable
Commission and operations and facility planning as it relates to the former Credit Union building adjacent
to the City Hall.
Cable Operations: Weyrens presented the Council with the existing Cable Policies that were adopted in
1998. When the Cable Commission was adopted in the late 1990's, the Council considered adopting an
Ordinance but opted for a adoption of a policy. The current policy identifies a number of meetings that
would be broadcast but in reality only the Council and Planning Commission are broadcast.
Loso expressed frustration with the staffing of the Cable Commission as during the budget process only
one commissioner was included and now we are looking at two. He stated that it was his understanding
that we were going to have one Commissioner with part time help, paid per meeting. Wick stated that he
understood that there would be two commissioners and would not have supported only one. After
clarifying the action at the December 2010 Council meeting, Wick stated that he misunderstood the
discussion. Schultz stated that before resolving the number of Commissioners, the Council should first
determine what will be televised.
Frank stated that it is his opinion that all meetings of all boards /commission be televised including Council
workshops. Wick stated that he disagrees with televising the EDA meetings as businesses are less likely
to present projects if they have to share their business via the television. Frank stated that he does not
believe that philosophy and if a business is seeking assistance the public should be able to witness such.
Wick stated that any financing assistance requires Council action and most likely a public hearing, at that
time the public is part of the process. When a project is discussed at the EDA level it is in the planning
stage. With regard to the Park Board, some of the meetings are held off site in the Parks and it would be
difficult to televise.
Frank suggested that the City move the EDA meetings to a time that is more accessible to residents such
as 7:00 PM. If the meetings were moved he would not be as adamant that the meetings be televised as
they would then be more available to the public. Wick and Symanietz concurred that moving the meeting
to the evening is not as business friendly. Frank stated he would concede on the EDA if the Council
would agree to televise at least the budget workshops. After considerable discussion the Council agreed
that the Planning Commission and regular City Council meetings along with budget workshops should be
televised and they agreed to formalize such at the February 3, 2011 Council meeting.
The Council went back to the issue of how many Cable Commissioners should be staffed. Symanietz
agreed with Loso and stated that the Council made a decision in December and it is only one month later.
If it after trying one Commissioner it is determined that another is needed she would reconsider. Loso
stated that the Cable Commission currently has two interns that are underutilized. Frank stated that it
comes down to what the Council has for expectations. Schultz questioned Brad Veenstra, Cable
Commissioner, as to his thoughts as whether one person could take care the service.
Veenstra stated that it would take more than one person to operate the system whether it is
Commissioner or support personnel. Schultz questioned Veenstra on future plans for the cable
operations. Veenstra stated that he and Tom Klein have reviewed the equipment and current process.
While the existing equipment works, most of the equipment is home surveillance in nature. The feedback
during broadcasting is a result of all the microphones being on all the time. It is his opinion that after the
initial equipment was installed, new pieces or replacements were added "on top" of the existing
equipment/wiring so the system is piece milled. He also stated that it is his understanding the City is
required to offer hearing devices for those in attendance that have special needs and the new system
would make the City compliant. Frank stated that he appreciates the improvement to the audio that has
recently been made, residents have noticed the difference.
Veenstra stated that he has been working with Marco to upgrade the equipment and presented the
Council with a proposed blue print for digital broadcast television. The proposal would include replacing
all the equipment including cameras and microphones. When questioned if the existing equipment has
value, Veenstra stated that he would propose to sell the existing either through an online process such as
eBay or a garage sale. He stated that the City has other old equipment to dispose of as well.
In addition to the broadcasting equipment, the second phase of the improvement is the cable access
bulletin board. The proposed system would allow remote access to update the bulletin board and the City
could even give rights to groups to create and manage their own page. To help monitor the cable access
channel, television could be installed in the corner of the lobby and staff could resolve problems when
they arise.
Weyrens stated that the peg access fees would be used to cover the cost of the upgrade. The current
balance in the fund is approximately $ 38,000 and can only be used for the cable access equipment. If
approved a portion of the Commissioners salaries will also be charged to the access fund as they will
have considerable time in coordinating and setting up the new system. The total cost of both phases is
approximately $ 42,000. While it exceeds the current balance the City accrues approximately $ 10,000
per year in access funds. Loso stated that he prefers completing the entire project and questioned
• Veenstra if he received a second quote. Veenstra stated that he did not, but will check to see what other
• vendors would do such installation and if possible secure a second quote.
The Council requested Veenstra contact the vendor to see if they could provide the Council with a demo
on the proposed bulletin board improvements, to which Veenstra stated he would. The Council agreed to
consider the cable infrastructure at the February 3, 2011 Council meeting.
Back to the question of the number of Commissioners needed, Loso stated that the Council should stick
with the budget that was adopted to which Symanietz agreed. Wick reiterated that he would not have
supported the motion in December had he fully understood the action. Schultz and Frank concurred that
the City should have two Commissioners. The Council agreed to resolve this matter at the February 3,
2011 Council meeting.
City Facilities: Due to the length of the meeting Mayor Schultz stated that he would like to schedule
another meeting to have a full discussion on City facilities and complete long range planning on City
facilities. The City incurred the expense to prepare a facilities study and then nothing was completed.
The Council agreed to meet on this matter at another time. Weyrens stated that the City has received a
counter offer from the Central MN Federal Credit Union regarding the building located adjacent to City
Hall. The Council should meet to consider the offer. The Council agreed to consider this offer on
February 3, 2011.
Adjourn: The motion was adjourned by consensus at 7:15 PM.
Judy Weyrens
Administrator
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