HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-29-83 Public Works Committee Qlnmmtiin Road
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The March 29, 1983 meeting of the Public Works Committee was called to
order at 4 :00 in the Council informal meeting room by its chairman Raymond
Zielinski.
Persons in attendance included: Councilmen Voorde, Harris, Serge,
Zielinski, Citizen Member Joe Simeri, Citizen Member Mark Golden, Rich Hill,
Carolyn Pfotenhauer, Don Yates of Gensis Electronics, Bob Yates of Gensis
Electronics, Attorney Tom Brunner of Indiana Cablevision, Bill Moss of Indiana
Cablevision, Larry Abbott, President of MARA, Tom Atwood, Technical Assistant
of MARA, Tony Neitzel, Technical Chairman of MARA, Bruce Best, of Ivy Tech and
Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand.
Councilman Zielinski noted that the purpose of the meeting was to review
Bill No. 17-83 regarding the cable television franchise bill.
Mr. Brunner of Cable Television stated that his client has spent over
300 man hours in the last three months trying to correct the interference
problem on Channel E. There had been a problem with the receiver on Edison
Road and problems of radiation, however the radiation is now within acceptable
FCC limits. Indiana Cablevision wants to be responsive to complaints but
. ham operators are now using very sophisticated equipment.
Mr. Tony. Neitzel .of the Michiana Amateur Repeaters Association stated
that one of their biggest areas of concern is the disruption of service.
He then quoted the FCC regulations and his letter of March 14th. He noted that
precident can be found in. Santa Rosa,California where in March of 1982 they
passed legislation preventing cable television from using the ham radio
frequences. He cited River Falls, Wisconsin as another community using this
language.
Mr. Bill Moss, General Manager of Indiana Cablevision then explained
the CED' s, CATV Frequency Allocation Table. He noted that his company has
now spent over 450 man hours checking for .interference problems and correcting
such problems.
Mrs. Pfotenhauer then reviewed her memo, a copy of which is attached.
Mr. Abbott stated that he did not want the City to do the 'work of the
FCC. Several frequencies are leaking beyond FCC standards, thus the City
should oversee the franchises so they do not loose their franchise.
Mr. Hill stated that the City could not enforce such technical standards
since it was beyond the capabilities of personnel and equipment.
Mr. Yates had two areas of concern namely that the ordinance does not
address implied restrictions of individual rights and the'.i proof of performance
and the body overseeing compliance. He noted that many persons have more than
one input device and that such things as remote control tuning .systems, signal
enhancer systems, and video recording systems should be allowed to be used
by the citizens. He then questioned Section 7-6 subscriber rights and Section
7-5 operation, service and maintenance. He questioned what the- qualifications
of the persons reviewing on an annual basis would be. He wanted. to be sure
that the ordinance addressed quality.
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Public Works Committee
Mr. Bruce Best of Ivy Tech requested that Ivy Tech be added to the
list on page 7, section i with regard to access channels for college credit
programs. Mr. Brunner noted that there is a problem of allowing persons
who are not part of the franchise area an access channel. He did not
believe that Ivy Tech should be included specifically since this is a busy
problem area already. .
Mr. Bill Moss questioned the definition of "passed by cable. "
It was explained that if a trunk line was there they would go in two to three
blocks but would not go two miles. The Committee believed that the definitior
was reasonable and that cable television companies should accommodate such
hookups.
Mr. Brunner then passed out a handout which addressed the question
of operational interference and leakage problems, a copy of which is attached.
It was noted that the City would mediate all complaints brought to its
attention and would hold cable television companies to the standard set forth
in this bill and FCC regulations.
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Mr. Brunner then suggested an amendment regarding access channels
stating that he would prefer that it read up to 10% or 3 channels.
Following further discussion by the Committee, Councilman Serge made a
motion seconded by Councilman Harris that the meeting be adjourned. The
meeting was adjourned at 5 :10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Raymond Zielinski, Chairman
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