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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-10-18-CAC-min Minutes of the October 18, 2007 Meeting Lexington Communications Advisory Committee Taken by Maria Kieslich Meeting was called to order at 6:35pm. In attendance were CAC members Maria Kieslich, Jim Gonzalez, Linda Roemer, Jeanne Canale, John Rommelfanger and Dave Becker. This constituted a quorum. Selectmen George Burnell, Jim Baker, LexMedia Executive Director George Preston and LexMedia Board Member Harry Forsdick were in observation. Minutes of the June meeting were accepted unanimously. Cable Company Report Jane Lyman was absent, and no written report from Comcast was received. Tom Steel was absent, and no written report from RCN was received. Jill Reddish was absent and no written report from Verizon was received. LexMedia Update LexMedia brought a draft proposal for changes to its contract with the Town for the CAC’s consideration. George Preston informed the CAC that an amendment was passed by the Selectmen recently which gave LexMedia $50,000 as an advance against the planned capital fund for 2007. George Brunell, believed that the $50,000 was simply an advance against expenses to help with cash flow, and was not against capital funds. Action Item: George Brunell took it as an action item to clarify the interpretation with the Town Manager, given that he believes the intent is not clear in the language approved by the Selectmen. Given this, George Preston related that Amendment #4 is no longer necessary. George Preston ran through an explanation of the other amendments. For Amendments #1 (increase in operating expenses) the CAC asked for the following additional information to facilitate their decision making. ?? Annual Reports for 2006 and 2007 ?? Operating Budgets for 2007 and 2008 ?? Proposed Budget for 2009 Amendment #2 (Use it or lose it language), George Brunell was going to discuss this provision with the Town Manager to confirm that monies were actually reabsorbed into the CAC account if LexMedia did not use them. Amendment #3(term date reset) was recommended to be done at the next contract renewal. Amendment #5 (request for $350,000 for Kline Hall capital) ?? Transition plan to Kline Hall including LIFT transmission ?? Itemized capital purchase plan ?? PR Campaign Further, the CAC asked that once a transition plan is presented, that it gets monthly updates to the plan. Chairman’s Report- Financial Report The Town is still reviewing the presentation of the CAC’s accounts and no report was provided since last meeting. Action Items ?? Maria Kieslich was asked to propose a list of accounts for the CAC. Dave Becker and Maria Kieslich were asked to work on a format of reports going forward. ?? Maria Kieslich was asked to update the cable company payment schedule with the Verizon payments. LexMedia Subcommittee/Report Linda Roemer was added to the subcommittee. George Brunell updated the CAC on Board changes of LexMedia. Tim Counihan was th added as a member. Following the Board’s meeting on October 29, the composition for the Board was expected to change including Chair. George Brunell will inform the CAC of the official changes for the next meeting. It was agreed that the CAC would wait until the new Board had some time to work together a few months before we started negotiations. Suggestions were made that the following be considered when renewal is discussed: relationship with the school, school studio facility and SCOLA broadcasting. WIFI Report John Rommelfanger outlined his discussions with the Town, related entities and private vendors to look into wifi for the Town. It was agreed that for the next update on WIFI, Mr. Rommelfanger needs to add information in detail on the benefits and value to the community of wifi, the competitive situation and distinct recommendations. Wireless Separate Email Report Submitted. Complaints – September None Negotiation Subcommittee Latest developments from Comcast in regards to the INET were discussed. They have proposed to offer money rather than maintain a system that it alleges little use. Dave Becker will do more research on how and by whom it is used. He will bring a recommendation to the CAC for November. Adjournment: 9:20pm. Minutes of the October 18, 2007 Meeting Lexington Communications Advisory Committee Taken by Maria Kieslich Meeting was called to order at 6:35pm. In attendance were CAC members Maria Kieslich, Jim Gonzalez, Linda Roemer, Jeanne Canale, John Rommelfanger and Dave Becker. This constituted a quorum. Selectmen George Burnell, Jim Baker, LexMedia Executive Director George Preston and LexMedia Board Member Harry Forsdick were in observation. Minutes of the June meeting were accepted unanimously. Cable Company Report Jane Lyman was absent, and no written report from Comcast was received. Tom Steel was absent, and no written report from RCN was received. Jill Reddish was absent and no written report from Verizon was received. LexMedia Update LexMedia brought a draft proposal for changes to its contract with the Town for the CAC’s consideration. George Preston informed the CAC that an amendment was passed by the Selectmen recently which gave LexMedia $50,000 as an advance against the planned capital fund for 2007. George Brunell, believed that the $50,000 was simply an advance against expenses to help with cash flow, and was not against capital funds. Action Item: George Brunell took it as an action item to clarify the interpretation with the Town Manager, given that he believes the intent is not clear in the language approved by the Selectmen. Given this, George Preston related that Amendment #4 is no longer necessary. George Preston ran through an explanation of the other amendments. For Amendments #1 (increase in operating expenses) the CAC asked for the following additional information to facilitate their decision making. ?? Annual Reports for 2006 and 2007 ?? Operating Budgets for 2007 and 2008 ?? Proposed Budget for 2009 Amendment #2 (Use it or lose it language), George Brunell was going to discuss this provision with the Town Manager to confirm that monies were actually reabsorbed into the CAC account if LexMedia did not use them. Amendment #3(term date reset) was recommended to be done at the next contract renewal. Amendment #5 (request for $350,000 for Kline Hall capital) ?? Transition plan to Kline Hall including LIFT transmission ?? Itemized capital purchase plan ?? PR Campaign Further, the CAC asked that once a transition plan is presented, that it gets monthly updates to the plan. Chairman’s Report- Financial Report The Town is still reviewing the presentation of the CAC’s accounts and no report was provided since last meeting. Action Items ?? Maria Kieslich was asked to propose a list of accounts for the CAC. Dave Becker and Maria Kieslich were asked to work on a format of reports going forward. ?? Maria Kieslich was asked to update the cable company payment schedule with the Verizon payments. LexMedia Subcommittee/Report Linda Roemer was added to the subcommittee. George Brunell updated the CAC on Board changes of LexMedia. Tim Counihan was th added as a member. Following the Board’s meeting on October 29, the composition for the Board was expected to change including Chair. George Brunell will inform the CAC of the official changes for the next meeting. It was agreed that the CAC would wait until the new Board had some time to work together a few months before we started negotiations. Suggestions were made that the following be considered when renewal is discussed: relationship with the school, school studio facility and SCOLA broadcasting. WIFI Report John Rommelfanger outlined his discussions with the Town, related entities and private vendors to look into wifi for the Town. It was agreed that for the next update on WIFI, Mr. Rommelfanger needs to add information in detail on the benefits and value to the community of wifi, the competitive situation and distinct recommendations. Wireless Separate Email Report Submitted. Complaints – September None Negotiation Subcommittee Latest developments from Comcast in regards to the INET were discussed. They have proposed to offer money rather than maintain a system that it alleges little use. Dave Becker will do more research on how and by whom it is used. He will bring a recommendation to the CAC for November. Adjournment: 9:20pm.