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MINUTES of CTAC of Hamden, New Haven, and West Haven – February 1, 2012

Tad Weinstein, West Haven, chair

George Alexander, Hamden, Treasurer

Carl Lambert, Hamden 

Don Levy, Hamden, Hamden 

Joyce Listro, New Haven Board of Education

Peaches Quinn, New Haven 

Johnes Ruta, New Haven

Joe Schofield, CTV

6:03 p.m. meeting called to order. 

General discussion regarding Comcast’s new television/ cable channel additions in varying service levels.

Personal introduction of Don Levy, new representative for Hamden.

January 4^th CTAC Meeting minutes discussed.  Peaches Quinn makes motion to approve January minutes.  Carl Lambert seconded motion.  Meeting vote – all in favor.

CTV Report – Joe Schofield

CTV’s  channel schedule information display is not yet on-line.  Server problems were again experienced causing temporary transmission loss on all CTV channels during January, mostly resolved.

CTV sent Letter of Intent for the purchase of a new location on Whalley Avenue in New Haven. CTV will only consider purchase situations, rather than any new rental location.  The Whalley Avenue property seller returned the CTV purchase offer showing new conditions on the proposed sales contract.  Joe specified that these conditions were probably not acceptable for CTV.  The current location at 2666 State Street in Hamden is OK for the short-term, as the current rental landlord has not pressured CTV to state its 2012 intentions. 

George discussed possible CTV relocation options in Hamden and New Haven. 

Production Training Field Training – CTV offering a one-day program teaching television camera production – certification would be more quickly achieved by participant trainees.

N’Zinga Shani case regarding “21 century Conversations” is still open with  DPUC (PURA) from June still costing CTV a $100 monthly attorney retainer. 

AT&T still not wired into CTV for Public Access availability. CTV is waiting until move to new location to complete this connection in order to avoid double charges because of pending CTV studio relocation. AT&T wants CTV to pay for the cable  hookup line.  CTV receives $108,000 per year as benefit of AT&T monthly public access fee per customer.

George recommended that CTV hook up with AT&T now since the move may not happen for a while now.  After brief discussion Joe Schofield committed to contact AT&T.

Joyce Listro: “When CTV moves, will Comcast pay for new transmission line installation [for its public TV access]?

Joe Schofield: “No. Comcast is not committed to paying this expense for the move.”

Peaches Quinn: “Is there a law for what AT&T money is used for ?”

Joe:  [Answer unclear.]

ANNUAL REPORT  — George Alexander

George submitted the Annual Report for 2011 with items and budget dollar entries. 

George motioned to accept the Annual Report for 2011.   Peaches Quinn seconded this motion. Tad called a general vote by show of hands. Vote carried in affirmative unanimously.  

George moved that the 2012 Budget be exactly the same as the 2011 Budget.  Joyce Listro seconded this motion. 

Peaches Quinn proposed to allocate the budget amount not used for grants in 2011 to be added into the 2012 Budget for grants available dollars.  The State Form “2010 Ending” typographical error to be corrected.  

Joyce suggested using the aforementioned leftover 2011 grant money for this Program.

George said we should delay a motion on this point until next month as it is not part of the present budget proposal. 

COMCAST  Issue.  

Johnes Ruta  is putting together a proposal (also to be developed with Paul Scanlon)  to be submitted to the Connecticut Legislature to regulate cable television rates in CT.  Research being developed with materials  from the Connecticut Office of Consumer Council.   Legislation proposal will also regulate that advance announcement be made on cable television when there is to be a service interruption for “Channel Maintenance”, technical reasons, or testing of Emergency Broadcast System. Issue will be discussed again at March CTAC meeting.

 Meeting adjourned by Tad Weinstein at 7:10 PM

MINUTES of CTAC of Hamden, New Haven, and West Haven – January 4, 2012

Call to order: A regular meeting of the CTAC, was held at CTV, Hamden, CT on 1/4/2012. The meeting convened at 6:00 p.m., President Tad Weinstein presiding, and Jennifer Sacco, secretary.

Members in attendance:

George Alexander, H treasurer

Carl Lambert, Sr., H

Peaches Quinn, NH

Johnes Ruta, NH

Jen Sacco, H secretary

Shalita Sampson, H

Paul Scanlon, WH

Tad Weinstein, WH chair

Joe Schofield, CTV

Sharon Codeanne, Comcast representative

Approval of minutes: Motion was made by Carl, and seconded by George to approve the minutes of the November meeting. Motion carried.  Motion was made by George to approve minutes of the December meeting, seconded by Johnes.  Motion carried.

Officers’ reports:

Comcast report given by Sharon Codeanne.  Price increases announced in most starter and economy services.  Johnes asked about steep price increases; Shalita asked about notification of increases and changes to technology required.  Sharon said all customers get notifications on the left-hand side of the first page of their bills, with statements on the envelope saying “important changes” inside.  Several members questioned the shape of the line at the customer service center in New Haven (which is notoriously unpleasant and seemingly inefficient).  Sharon said she would inquire at the customer service center about re-organizing the waiting line(s) and if new kiosks will be able to accept cash from people paying their bills.  Jen asked if Comcast would get wireless cable boxes (like AT&T now advertises), and Sharon says engineering is looking into it; Shalita asked if Comcast would get room-to-room dvr; Sharon says it may become available in our area this year (but maybe not).  Johnes inquired who regulates the rate increases; no one has to approve the rate increases because of the legislation that CT passed when AT&T became a provider.

Johnes moved that we send a letter to the CT legislature asking that rate increases be regulated by the state; Joe pointed out that federal law indicates the only service that can have its rate regulated by the states is basic service.  Johnes made motion again, Paul seconded.  Joe recommended sending a letter to the Office of Consumer Counsel first, to find out what the possibility of getting rate regulation, then send to a specific legislator.  Johnes would like to have included the corporations’ profit and expenses.  Motion to send letter to state legislature carries.  Paul moves that we contact the Office of Consumer Counsel with questions pertaining to these issues before we contact the legislature by March 1^st.   Johnes seconds the motion.  Motion carries; Paul and Johnes will draft a letter to send before March 1^st.  

CTV  Joe reports that the new server has been installed, though CTV will keep in operation a small portion of the original Tightrope server, because the transition for VOD would be too time-consuming.  CTV is in process of applying for an additional loan for a new location.  CTV is currently month-to-month at their current location with a 6 month notice required for moving or a new tenant.

Treasurer-  George did open a bank account with Connex; Tad and Jen will be added to the account.

New Business-  Peaches asked Sharon to address emergency preparedness within Comcast for customers with Comcast phone service, and what to expect during power outages and what Comcast is planning for the future, particularly pertaining to dialing 911 when power and cable is out.  Peaches also asked for copies of emergency preparedness information given to customers during initial signup.

Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 7:15.

Jennifer Sacco

Secretary                                                                                          

CTAC

MINUTES of CTAC of Hamden, New Haven, and West Haven – December 13, 2011

Call to order: A regular meeting of the CTAC, was held in Hamden. The meeting convened at 6:50 p.m., President Tad Weinstein presiding, and Jennifer Sacco, secretary.

Members in attendance:

George Alexander, H treasurer

Joyce Listro, NH

Peaches Quinn, NH

Johnes Ruta, NH

Jen Sacco, H secretary

Tad Weinstein, WH chair

Carl Lambert, H

Approval of minutes: November minutes to be distributed for approval at January 2012 meeting due to technical issues.

Reports:

Comcast representative not available to give report due to illness; CTV representative not present to give report.  Comcast report was shared in print format.

Johnes raised issue that PURA not interested in dealing with his concern and that raised by Elizabeth Cooney, member of the public, about offerings available in Comcast subscriber packages.  He suggested that we contact our legislators and ask them to look in to questions of choice/value/availability in cable programming.  Jen suggested that we compile complaints for legislators.  Peaches suggested we get Comcast’s response first, and address the issue again at January meeting, OR interview Comcast, and advocate nationally.  Jen suggested we could get other cable councils to sign on.  George suggested that we specifically write to our state representatives.

CTV has been off the air for at least 2 weeks while the servers gets updated at the station. 

Letter came to us from PURA saying that they have inquired with Comcast about refund/outage policy, and that subscribers may be eligible for a credit (they have to request it). 

George suggested we switch our checking account from TD to Connex to avoid a fee and so we can see our paper checks.  Carl made motion to switch banks; Joyced seconded.  Motion carried to move our account and to get debit cards for two officers.

Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 8:30p.m.

Jennifer Sacco 

Secretary                                                                        

CTAC

MINUTES of CTAC of Hamden, New Haven, and West Haven – October 5, 2011

Call to order: A regular meeting of the CTAC, was held at CTV, Hamden, CT on 10/5/2011. The meeting convened at 6:00 p.m., President Tad Weinstein presiding, and Jennifer Sacco, secretary.

Members in attendance:

George Alexander, H treasurer

Joyce Listro, NH

Peaches Quinn, NH

Johnes Ruta, NH

Jen Sacco, H secretary

Tad Weinstein, WH chair

Joe Schofield, CTV

Sharon Codeanne, Comcast representative

Approval of minutes: Motion was made by Johnes, and seconded by George, to approve the minutes of the July meeting. Motion carried.  Johnes moves that we approve Sept. minutes; Joyce seconded. Motion carried.

Reports:

Comcast- Sharon presented Comcast monthly report of developments, including filing with PURA about new cable adapters to make digital conversion possible, which will be rolled out in November. For customers to get credit after Hurricane Irene, they have to call in to Comcast.  Outage and refund policy is sent annually to customers in policy notice. 

CTV- Tightrope server was to be removed with a 25% restocking fee; new server equipment also had to be removed after 2 days.  Old equipment is still in place until new system is up and running. PURA has not made a decision in the ongoing docket about 21^st century conversations.  Organizations cannot be producers; each new show must have a producer.  Relocation is still ongoing issue. 

Treasurer- PURA docket 11-08-06 on review process of community access providers is open for comments. George moved that we write an email with our support for the review process to PURA. Johnes seconds.  Motion passes.

December meeting will be in second week of December, Tuesday the 13^th.

Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 7:15 p.m.

Jennifer Sacco

Secretary                                                                                   

CTAC

MINUTES of CTAC of Hamden, New Haven, and West Haven – September 7, 2011

Call to order: A regular meeting of the CTAC, was held at CTV, Hamden, CT on 9/7/2011.

The meeting convened at 6:10 p.m., President Tad Weinstein presiding, and Jennifer Sacco, secretary.

Members in attendance:

George Alexander, H treasurer

Carl Lambert, Sr., H

Joyce Listro, NH

Johnes Ruta, NH

Jen Sacco, H secretary

Shalita Sampson, H

Tad Weinstein, WH chair

Approval of minutes: Motion was made by Carl, with correction as noted, and seconded by George to approve the minutes of the August 2011 meeting. Motion carried.

Discussion of format of minutes.  Members agreed that topics discussed would be included that highlight questions or issues in dispute, and points of information where necessary, as well as motions that are made and followup actions.

Officers’ reports:

            Comcast—sent to council via email;

            CTV—not present

            Treasurer—George brought letter from Town of Hamden about his and Jen’s reappointment, as well as letter from PURA (Public Utility Regulatory Authority), which says there is an investigation into Public Access television statewide.  Tad will scan in a handwritten complaint letter about Comcast, which he will send electronically to Comcast. 

Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 7:02 p.m.

Jennifer Sacco

Secretary                                                                                       

CTAC

MINUTES of CTAC of Hamden, New Haven, and West Haven – August 3, 2011 

Call to order: A regular meeting of the CTAC, was held at CTV, Hamden, CT on 8/3/2011. The meeting was called to order at 6:10 p.m., Tad Weinstein, Chair.  Jennifer Sacco, Secretary, absent this meeting. Minutes recorded by Johnes Ruta, CTAC New Haven #2. 

Members in attendance:

(Secretary not present.) 
(Quorum not present.)

Kinson B. Perry,  Area Manager  External & Legislative Affairs, AT&T  
Kelly Wade Bettuci, Area Manager External affairs, AT&T 
Sharon Codeanne, Area Public Affairs, Comcast  
Paul Musco, President Board of Directors, CTV
Joe Schofield, Executive Director CTV

objected to by Johnes Ruta and George Alexander. Issue tabled for further consideration.

AT&T Representatives:

Kinson Perry, AT&T addressed the meeting: Describes AT&T service to area, hopes for AT&T to provide 
CTV service to area.    AT&T collects Subscriber Fees which are sent to CTV quarterly, accumulating to $250,000 since AT&T received a State wide license.  Previous representatives of  AT&T met with CTV Board several times.  
AT&T acknowledges “learning curve”  for connectivity with CTV, as the technical architecture of AT&T is different from CTV’s.  AT&T: All  Government Access Programming will be provided to CTV from AT&T channel 99. Special Audio programming will be available in SAP.   AT&T Channel 99 is a Menu Selection channel by which viewers will select and subscribe access categories. Selection of program drops a “cookie” for a specific PEG reception interconnect process.  Subscriber Fees are collected by AT&T  and forwarded to CTV.  

The technical specifications required are listed. A vendor will be authorized for the interconnection agreement, with a present choice of four different vendors.  CTV’s North Haven State Street location can be provided with a signal for Uverse Service within range of one of the T1 boxes. A private website URL will be provided by AT&T to monitor their signal strength.  AT&T has 12,000 subscribers within the Hamden, New Haven, West Haven district.   AT&T will provide feed and monitor Addresses defined in terms of “Green Zones” 

where service can be provided, and “Red Zones” where service cannot be provided.  AT&T will provide the equipment.  AT&T will pay for the T1 connection to CTV. The T1 line will be a demarcation point, external to the CTV building only.  

AT&T will provide a 1-Year Maintenance Agreement for CTV.  CTV will then own the equipment, 

CTV will pay for the maintenance from the Demarcation Point into the CTV building. CTV will pay for inside wiring to their TV distribution module.  

AT&T will perform tests for connectivity once connection is established and when any connection problems occur.

AT&T is unable to “black-out” coverage of live performances (such as at the Schubert Theatre in New Haven) and local sports events.  This situation with theatre performances carries issues of Equity Rights.   (George Alexander brought up issues also of “Intellectual Property” of license to broadcast certain programs especially those taking place in the coverage area itself where distribution cannot be allowed.Joe Schofield questioned aspects of “Equity Authorization.” Mentioned that CTV is scheduled to broadcast Garrison Kellior local talk. There followed a discussion of issues of “feed” and “distribution.

CTV has three issues with the interconnection with AT&T:

(1) Return Signal monitoring.

(3) Distribution of contractually restricted content beyond the Hamden, New Haven and West Haven franchise.

“All AT&T derived fund are to be dedicated to AT&T.”  Kinson Perry responded, “There is a Repair Protocol for network repair and maintenance support.

Peaches Quinn addressed choices as connectivity issues.  AT&T would set up monitoring.

Equipment: 
DA = Distribution Amplifier.  AT&T Business Model was discussed: (1) different from Comcast; (2) issue of Program Distribution.

AT&T guards against unauthorized equipment access into its network system.

AT&T Participation in CTAC:

George Aleaxander furthers this issue by indicating that CTAC district’s residents expect AT&T to be responsible to CTAC advisory.

Member Reappointment: 

George Alexander reported receiving a letter from the Hamden Mayor’s Office that he and Jennifer Sacco have both been reappointed to the CTAC each for another two year term.  

Officers’ reports:      Not addressed due to lateness of the hour following above proceedings, now 8:00 PM.

Unfinished business:              Not addressed

Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 8:03 p.m.