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<br />North Metro Telecommunications Commission <br />Meeting Talking Points <br />December 19, 2007 <br /> <br />~ NMTV staff has been working with the Centennial school district to help them <br />with their video equipment plans. Technical staff has been working with vendors <br />to make sure the school district is getting only what it needs. District staff is also <br />interested in producing a monthly talk show, with their administrators, at the <br />NMTV facility. Two staffers have already taken a class to learn how to produce <br />the program. <br /> <br />~ The Blaine youth wrestling program is producing a series of training DVDs <br />utilizing NMTV. They are also taping many of their matches. <br /> <br />~ Locally produced, original music is now playing on channels 14 and 15 between <br />programs. Interested bands simply need to sign a release form in order for their <br />music to be featured. We are excited about the venture as it is one more service <br />NMTV can provide to a whole new demographic. <br /> <br />~ Instructor and master control assistant Joel Knudsen is leaving NMTV to further <br />his education. All master control questions and concerns should go directly to <br />Michele Silvester. <br /> <br />.. The FCC's Second Report and Order concerning local cable franchising will <br />become effective on December 24th, 2007. The order deals with how and when <br />new franchising rules should apply to incumbent cable operators. The order's <br />possible affects on the North Metro are currently being analyzed by the <br />Commission's legal counsel. The Order has been appealed. <br /> <br />.. Representative Sheldon Johnson seems committed to writing a new statewide <br />franchising bill. The League of Minnesota Cities and the Cable Commission and <br />its related organizations contend that the current statute governing local cable <br />franchising is not broken, and are opposing any new bill. City Council members <br />are encouraged to contact local legislators to let them know that a new bill is <br />unnecessary and could do permanent damage to funding for community <br />television. Heidi Arnson would be happy to forward a model resolution cities <br />could consider, and talking points regarding the effort. <br /> <br />~ The Commission approved the requested increase to Comcast's late fee. (from 5 <br />to 7 dollars, if more than 8 days late) The late fee had not been adjusted since <br />1999. The Commission retained any and all rights to alter that decision, should <br />information surface disputing the cost to process late fees. <br /> <br />.. The Commission approved a 3% Cost of Living Adjustment for NMTV staff as of <br />January 1, 2008. <br /> <br />tJl <br />