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HomeMy WebLinkAbout5.F.7. 2009 Telecommunications Activities Annual report s:~i . City of Shakopee Memorandum CONSEf~T TO: Mayor and City Council Members Mark McNeill, City Administrator FROM: John Peterson, telecommunications coordinator~ SUBJECT: 2009 Telecommunications Activities Annual Report DATE: April 16, 2010 Introduction The Telecommunications Advisory Commission (TAC) is submitting the attached 2009 Annual Report outlining telecommunications-related activities from the past year. Background The annual report, which is required by the resolution establishing the T AC, includes the Commission's mission statement, notable accomplishments, additional highlights, R&D support, channel operations, web-streaming, and plans for 2010. . The Commission would be happy to answer questions or discuss in more detail any of the issues or projects described in the report. Requested Action The City Council is asked to accept and file the 2009 Telecommunications Activates Annual Report. .. Page 1 of 1 . City of Shakopee Memorandum TO: Mayor and City Council Members Mark McNeill, City Administrator FROM: Telecommunications Advisory Commission SUBJECT: 2009 Telecommunications Activities Annual Report DATE: March 24,2010 Introduction. The Telecommunications Advisory Commission (TAC) is submitting the following 2009 Annual Report outlining telecommunications-related activities from the past year. Background The mission of the Telecommunications Advisory Commission is: To study issues and recommend solutions to the City Council relating to the provision of telecommunication services for the City, residents, and businesses of Shako pee and to . guide the operation of the City's Government and Public Access Television Channels. Notable accomplishments in the telecommunications area during 2009 include: . Equipment was purchased and installed for the operation of the Educational Access Channel (Cable Channel 14). This channel, which is provided to the community via the City's franchise agreement with Comcast cable, had gone unused for many years. The school district is now operating it as an informational bulletin board and to broadcast school board meetings. Approximately $14,000 of the City's 2009 PEG fund was used to purchase the equipment. . A website for Shakopee Public Access was launched (www.shakopeepublicaccess.com). The web site features a 24/7 LIVE video stream of Cable Channel 15. The website also offers information about SPA, available equipment, an interactive schedule, viewable bulletins, and SPA policies and forms. . Production continued on the "Shakopee Spotlight" show for the Government Access Channel. Feature segments included Clean Up Day, Budget Update, Recreational Burning, Election Information, Park and Recreation Events, 2030 Comp Plan Update and Safety Tips. A few Public Service Announcements were also produced separate of the spotlight program. The most notable was a PSA on bike safety. In addition to these highlights, the Commission continued to support ongoing maintenance of the City's I-net, review reports and activities from the City's cable franchisee-Comcast Cable, stay . informed of legislation initiatives at the state and national levels through memberships with Page 1 of3 . MACT A (Minnesota Association of Community Telecommunications Administrators) and NATOA (National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors), and provided oversight for government and public access operations. In 2009, the Commission also developed and began implementing an annual advertising plan for Public Access. The plan includes a monthly advertisement in the Shakopee Valley News and Southwest Saturday, a Shakopee Public Utilities bill stuffer, publication of an ad in the 2010 Residents Guide, registration in the Shakopee Chamber Organization Booklet and ads in the Park and Recreation Brochures. The total spent on advertising was $4,515. The Commission also continued with an R&D Fund to support technology investments in a variety of City departments. In 2009, $39,175 was provided to the Police Department to upgrade the department's audio/visual and surveillance systems. The surveillance system records movements around the building. The audiovisual system is used in the department's four interview rooms where statements are recorded for criminal cases. Lastly, the Commission considered conducting a Franchise Fee Audit or Review, but ultimately decided against it. A Franchise Fee Review is an in-depth analysis of the franchise fees paid to the local franchise authority by a cable operator for a specific time period. After comparing the likely cost of such a review against the probability of it yielding any increased franchise fee payments to the City, the Commission determined that a Franchise Fee Review was not necessary at the time but that it should be considered again in 2011. . Channel Operations Government Access. In 2009, we taped over 144 hours of City meetings, which were then played back for nearly 3000 hours of programming. City Council meetings received the majority of playback time at 1,600 hours. Overall the Government Access channel provided nearly 5000 hours of programming, including City meetings as well as County, SPUC and School Board meetings. These numbers increased significantly from 2008 when City meetings received just over 2,000 hours of playback and the channel overall provided just over 4200 hours of programming Public Access. Shakopee Public Access aired over 4200 hours of programming during 2009. Locally produced programs received the majority of playback time at 2600 hours. These numbers show a slight increase from 2008 when we aired over 4100 hours of programming. Web-Streaming All City meetings that are taped for Channel 16 are also streamed online to be viewed live or on- demand. The most commonly streamed programs were the three-candidate forums, which averaged approximately 85 views, (3) Board of Adjustment and Appeals / Planning Commission meetings which averaged approximately 43 views, (3) City Council meetings which averaged approximately 34 views each, and the Bike Safety PSA which received 21 views. . Page 2 of3 Plans for 2010 . . Continue regular operational efforts in advertising, reviewing reports and activities from the City's cable franchisee-Comcast Cable, staying informed of legislation initiatives, and providing oversight for government and public access operations. . Explore the possible use ofR&D funding to support Mobile Data Terminals for the Fire Department. . Replace failing Government Access graphic system. Along with replacing a failing system, the project will also include reorganization of the Chamber control room and installation of a Chamber confidence monitor. Future plans are to explore a follow-up purchase of new cameras for the Council Chambers in 2011. Requested Action The City Council is asked to accept and file the 2009 Telecommunications Activates Annual Report. . . Page 3 of3