Back
line





City of Colorado Springs / Commissions & Committees / Telecommunications Policy Advisory Committee (TPAC)

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

MINUTES
June 16, 2009
7:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
City Administration Building, 30 S. Nevada Avenue, Suite 701
Colorado Springs, CO
 
 
Present:     TPAC Members:, Gerry Geyer, Russ Fertitta, Marshall Tuttle, Justin Burns, Richard Embury, Mark Ewell, Amber Robinson
Absent:      Michael Freeman
Staff:       Curlie Mathews, Jackie Julaton, Kathy Lake
Guests:    Brian Bleike-Colorado Springs Utilities, Ben Kley-Falcon Broadband, David Sered-Comcast, Andy Wineke-The Gazette
 
CALL TO ORDER
A quorum was present and the meeting was called to order at 7:35 a.m.
 
INTRODUCTIONS
Ms. Amber Robinson was introduced as a new member of TPAC.  
 
MINUTES
Mr. Justin Burns made a motion to approve the May minutes. Mr. Mark Ewell seconded the motion, all were in approval, and the motion passed.
 
ADMINISTRATION
No report.
 
ON-GOING BUSINESS
 

Cable Video Franchise Updates

No Report.
 
·         Comcast:  Mr. David Sered briefed the digital transitions was very smooth and no significant issues have been identified.
 
·          Falcon Broadband:   Mr. Ben Kley briefed the digital transitions went smooth on June 12. The national corporate body may increase charges between .50 cents to $1.00 per channel (content).  This charge is per network station and it is uncertain if there are any local fees. TPAC is concerned with impacts on the consumer. Mr. Kley will provide more information at the next meeting.
 

·         Porchlight: No report.

 
New Technologies
Broadband is costly to dig trenches and local agencies are waiting for stimulus funds to proceed.
 
TPAC Website
TPAC web page looks good and the city is receiving favorable comments.
 
OLD BUSINESS
 

·         Legislative Matters Sub-Committee

No report. 

·         Franchise Performance Sub-Committee

No report.

 

Broadband Infrastructure Task Force

No report.
 
Review, Planning and action status - TPAC support to City IT
No report.
 
·         Other cities' eGov systems and capabilities:
No report.
 
·         Future Projects:
Mr. Curlie Matthews briefed the city will get new voice services (VoIP) at the end of June 2009.  Applications will be migrating to the Police Operation Center this month.   
 
Mr. Mark Ewell, Mr. Justin Burns and Ms. Amber Robinson provided a handout that identified landline telephone, Internet, cable, mobile, and fixed wireless providers in Colorado Springs.  Discussion followed as TPAC wanted to identify who is the audience for this information (EDC, City IT, etc).  Mr. Ewell will draft a letter to these providers for TPAC and Vice Mayor Small to review.
 
NEW BUSINESS 
No report.
 
ADJOURN:  There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 8:40a.m.