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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Light and Power Committee 1993-01-14RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Light and Power Committee January 14,1993 Committee:Chairman Aldrich,Trustees Dekker and Hix Attending:Chairman Aldrich,Trustees Dekker and HiX Also Attending:Light and Power Director Matzke,Town Administrator Klaphake,Assistant Town Administrator Widmer,Town Attorney White,and Deputy Clerk Kuehi Absent:None Chairman Aldrich called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. CABLE TELEVISION -PUBLIC ACCESS DISCUSSION Chairman Aldrich asked for citizen participation regarding public access television and the franchise agreement.Dick Pratt stated that,in his opinion,the cable company is not providing the services required in the contract:a total of 36 channels, including a public access channel,a weather channel,and an emergency override system.Mr.Pratt insisted the Town enforce the contract. Craig Poulson,representative from Cable Systems,Inc.,reported that the contract states the cable company be capable of carrying 36 channels,and it is.The public access channel has not been available because of lack of interest.The equipment for a local studio was donated to the school in 1983.The agreement states that up to three local origination channels shall be provided to the Town,if needed.One is provided initially until it is transmitting 80 hours per week,at which time,the second channel is to be added,and so on.Currently,the weather is provided on Channel 8.The emergency override system was originally provided and will be renegotiated in the new contract. Town Administrator Klaphake explained to the Committee that the franchise agreement is in the process of being updated and extended.Assistant Town Administrator Widmer stated that the previous minutes of the Committee have been reviewed regarding this subject and no request of public access has been received or discussed since the franchise became effective in 1981. Town Attorney White stated that parts of the 1981 franchise agreement were nullified by the Cable Communications Policy Act of 1984.Since the Town never officially enforced the requirement for local origination channels,the Town may have waived its power to force the cable company to comply.Town Attorney White stated that because of these issues,he would not be able to provide a legal opinion as to what provisions of the 1981 franchise are enforceable without considerable research and expense.The Cable Communications Policy Act of 1992,effective April 3,1993,does not require public access unless required by the local franchising authority.Town Administrator Klaphake added that public access will be a local decision,based on direction from the town Board. The process of revising the existing franchise agreement will resume after the FCC rules become available.The new franchise agreement would probably not be presented to the Town Board for consideration until the Fall of 1993. The Committee recommends that a new franchise agreement for cable television be delayed until the updated FCC regulations are reviewed by the Town Attorney.Chairman Aldrich requested thatAssistantTownAdministratorWidmersurveyseveralothercommunitiestodeterminetheirpracticeregardingpublicaccess. RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Light &Power Committee,January 14,1993 -Page 2 Chairman Aldrich thanked Mr.Pratt for bringing the public access question to the attention of the Committee,and thanked Mr.Poulson for continuing to upgrade the cable quality and reception in the area. Mr.Pratt complained that the “Talk of the Town”program on Channel 8 is politically motivated and requested equal time to give his opinion.Attorney White suggested that the FCC has jurisdiction over “equal time”complaints.Larry Davis,local video producer, stated he believes Channel 8 is serving the community with the type of programming a local origination station should contribute. ASPEN GLEN CAMPGROUND Town Administrator Klaphake would like the Committee to consider expanding the Aspen Glen Campground into Town property,making available additional campsites.The Town would retain ownership of the property under this proposal.The Committee recommends approval for the Town to enter into dialogue with RMNP regarding the expansion of Aspen Glen Campground onto Town property for the purpose of additional campsites,and bring these findings to the Committee for further consideration.Town Administrator Klaphake noted that this would not be complete until the Summer of 1994. CUSTOMER RECOGNITION The Committee gave recognition to two customers.Mr.Delbert Drew reported the location of a broken power line during a major outage, thus allowing immediate restoration of power.Mrs.Eina Faulkner made a donation of outdoor Christmas light bulbs and decorations to the Town. EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION Three employees were recognized with $100 Achievement Awards.They are as follows: Ron Beitz received the award for his contribution in mapping our system and keeping records of our installed equipment,developing equipment standards on Aut0CAD,and coordinating an inspection program of pad mount equipment to comply with CIRSA requirements. Mike Mangelsen was recognized for his representation on the PRPA Energy Efficiency Task Team,his participation in numerous classes and schools on energy efficiency,his assistance to customers performing energy audits,and his contributions toward the renovation of the Fall River Hydro Plant. Joe Tlamka manages our PCB compliance program,is responsible for testing our equipment,record keeping, storage,and report preparation,and has made recommendations allowing minimal cost of transformer replacements. The Committee commended these employees for their extra effort in performing their jobs. 0 0 RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Light &Power Committee,January 14,1993 -Page 3 REPORTS Financial Report:The Committee received the Monthly Financial Reports for December.The unaudited financial report for 1992 will be available at the February meeting. Project Updates:Light and Power Director Matzke reported the following: 1.The Highway 7 road-widening project is near completion. 2.The first phase,consisting of extending underground cable,of the Honda project is complete.Three meters have been installed.The total estimate on the project is $106,000,and the Town is being reimbursed as work is completed. 3.The transformer for the Family Program Building at the YMCA will be installed this week,completing this project. 4.The Fall River Hydro Plant interim lease agreement has been signed and returned. 5.RHEL will hold their Spring Conference (approximately 300 people)in Estes Park,May 2—4, 1993. Update on Mainframe Computer Replacement:Conversion to the IBM Mainframe of the general ledger and payroll are complete.The purchasing and inventory module has been added,and the Light & Power inventory will be completed within the month.The billing program will take several months to convert. Platte River Power Authority:Assistant Town Administrator Widmer reported that a budget of $129.3 million was adopted,consisting of $58 million in debt service,$66.5 million of operating expense, and $4.8 million in capital.The trend has been a decrease in budget each year as business practices are improved.No decision has been made on the wholesale rate change.The rate being examined would reduce our rates by an average of 7%. There being no further business,Chairman Aldrich adjourned the meeting at 11:40 a.m. I Tina Kuehl,Deputy Town Clerk fl ]AN261993 I Of ETS BO[.RD OF T1LJ