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Mounds View City Council January 13, 2014 <br />Regular Meeting Page 3 <br /> <br /> <br /> E. Resolution 8199, a Resolution of Appreciation for Jennifer Wagner- <br />Harkonen for her Service on the Economic Development Commission (EDC). <br /> <br />Mayor Flaherty read a Resolution in full commending Jennifer Wagner-Harkonen for her service <br />on the Economic Development Commission. <br /> <br />MOTION/SECOND: Meehlhause/Mueller. To Adopt Resolution 8199, a Resolution of <br />Appreciation for Jennifer Wagner-Harkonen for her Service on the Economic Development <br />Commission (EDC). <br /> <br /> Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. <br /> <br /> F. Presentation by Cor Wilson, Executive Director of the North Suburban <br />Communications Commission and North Suburban Access Corporation. <br /> <br />Cor Wilson, Executive Director of the North Suburban Communications Commission, updated <br />the Council on events that have recently taken place at the access corporation. She reviewed the <br />number of hours of cable programming that took place in 2013, along with the number of local <br />events that were covered by CTV. It was noted the number of events was growing each and <br />every year. <br /> <br />Ms. Wilson discussed the items that have been addressed by the cable commission. At this point, <br />a rate order was being disputed with Comcast. The FCC has reviewed the rate order and <br />Comcast was found to be in noncompliance. She reported 78 complaints were received for <br />Comcast, which was a large increase over previous years. She indicated there has been a drop in <br />cable subscribers due to Comcast’s poor billing, service, response time and customer service. <br />She described how the new call centers were organized stating wait times were rising. <br /> <br />Ms. Wilson provided comment on the local PEG channels stating Comcast has now encrypted all <br />local channels. These stations could still be viewed free of charge through the use of a special <br />DTA box for one year and after that time, the fee would be $2.99 per month. She indicated she <br />would continue to work with the cable company on this issue, along with the franchise renewal. <br />Those interested in receiving local stations were encouraged to contact the CTV office. <br /> <br />Mayor Flaherty asked where the Cable Commission was with Comcast with regard to the <br />franchise renewal. Ms. Wilson explained Comcast has not budged from the rates they proposed <br />last February, while only offer a tenth to CTV. This was disappointing but not surprising. She <br />hoped to continue holding informal conversations with Comcast to finalize negotiations. <br /> <br />Mayor Flaherty questioned what services CTV provided to the public. Ms. Wilson indicated this <br />included PEG channel programming, 100 hours of free production hours, web streaming of City <br />meetings, along with technical services for video programming. In addition, CTV services were <br />provided to the Community Theater and the Community Center. She provided further comment <br />on the negotiation process with Comcast noting it was a challenge.