North Metro TV Cable Commission History

Ad-Hoc multi-city Commission formed.
An eight city joint powers agreement is signed. The eight cities are Blaine, Centerville, Circle Pines, Coon Rapids, Ham Lake, Lino Lakes, and Spring Lake Park.

1981

First Meeting of the North Central Suburban Cable Communications Commission I (Original title of the group)

1982

Member cities develop and adopt “Request for Proposal”

1983

Approval of first franchise ordinance by member cities and awarding of franchise to Group W, Inc.
North Central Suburban Cable Commission (NCSCCC) I is dissolved and a new joint powers agreement signed, establishing the NCSCCC II.

1984

Group W requests franchise modifications
Group W begins construction
Permanent Cable Administrator hired 7/1/84
Commission rejects consolidation with Anoka Cable System
First public access classes begin
Marketing of test homes begins
Coon Rapids studio completed

1985

Cable Administrator resigns
Test homes are turned on
Group W requests reduction in I-Net
Group W begins service to first customer 3/85
Underground construction begins
New Cable Administrator hired 9/85
Construction of new headend and Blaine studio begins
I-Net installation begins
By year-end the system has 6,392 subscribers

1986

Group W notifies Commission of intent to sell system
Group W makes first franchise fee payment $33,442
First technical audit of system
Cable Commission begins cablecasting its monthly meetings on public access channel
Member cities give final approval of transfer of ownership to North Central Communications, Inc. (Hauser Communications)
By year end there are over 10,000 subscribers

1987

Commission shifts from voting structure based on number of households to number of subscribers (500 subs = one vote)
Commission begins needs assessment of member cities regarding equipment necessary to cablecast public meetings
Commission purchases video equipment to cablecast public meetings for Coon Rapids as a test case.
Regional channel 6 is activated.
Cable TV North Central introduces pay-per-view.
Cable TV North Central proposes turning over responsibility for public access to the Commission

1988

Public access channel begins cablecasting 24 hours a day
Program sponsorship policy established
Video production equipment is purchased for all cities, and installed, for cablecasting of public meetings
Level playing field language is passed by MN legislature. This language requires additional cable companies to have the same requirements as the original company in the areas of franchise fees, area served, and PEG access.
Creation of first access volunteer incentive program
Cable TV North Central threatens to add access surcharge to subscribers bills
Commission informs CTVNC that they are in violation of franchise requirements regarding completion of I-Net drops
Commission approves hiring a consultant to determine cost of operating public access
CTVNC requests permission to close Blaine customer service office
All schools connected to I-Net
Public forum held at Commission meeting regarding public access. 67 volunteers and viewers attended the meeting and voiced support for public access.
Initiated comprehensive examination of current public access equipment condition.
Quad Cities public access accepts responsibility of operating public access from the cable company.

1989

Commission authorizes comprehensive public access equipment audit
Subscriber penetration rate reaches 46%
Commission moves to establish access equipment condition criteria and replacement schedule
Oak Grove line extension from NCSCCCII system. Includes access channels and use of access facilities by Oak Grove residents.
5% franchise fee broken out on subscriber’s bills

1990

Commission participates in gross revenue audit of CTVNC
Roseville system takes over control of public access from the company
Commission continues to make case regarding replacement of access equipment, by approving a resolution requiring said replacement. (90-02)
Several access channels were re-dedicated to educational use. This resulted in a separate educational channel for each school district.
Company sues Commission over equipment replacement

1991

Company provides Amiga computers and graphics programs to each city, to replace antiquated Quantas.
Cable Company sells Blaine building, then leases from new owner.
The Company and Commission work together to establish a four year equipment replacement plan
CTVNC notifies Commission of its intent to sell the system

1992

Commission moves offices to same building as public access facility
Company reimburses Commission for funds expended during equipment lawsuit, which Company lost
Commission approves sale of Cable TV North Central to Meredith/New Heritage
Commission begins work on a subscriber survey

1993

Usage of Coon Rapids studio examined. City of Coon Rapids given key for access to facility when not staffed.
Community Programming/Subscriber survey conducted
Assuming control of community programming discussed. Need to file Articles of Incorporation.
Consolidation of Coon Rapids and Blaine facility, at the Blaine location initiated
Access equipment replacement totaling $179,000 takes place
Commission applies for FCC certification for rate regulation authority

1994

Direct Broadcast Satellite Service begins
More public access production equipment is replaced
Commission begins work on future Community Programming department budget

1995

Commission approves Articles of Incorporation, related to take over of Community Programming
Terms for rate settlement agreement are discussed. This is the beginning of the MOU
Consultations regarding taking over community programming ensue
Draft MOU completed
City of Coon Rapids has issues with draft MOU
Commission proposes changing voting structure. This would result in the inability of any one city to stop action on their own.
MOU guaranteeing community programming funding for the term of a renewed franchise is approved by the Commission.
MOU also establishes Universal Service
PEG fees are designated as a line item on subscriber bills

1996

Passage of the Telecommunications Act of 1996.
Meredith Cable announces its intent to sell to Continental Cable
The Commission attempts to change the voting structure. Coon Rapids vetoes the attempt
US West announces it will be buying Continental
More access equipment replacement takes place
Discussions regarding renewal of the franchise begin
The City of Coon Rapids notifies the Commission of its intent to withdraw from the Commission effective December 31, 1996.
The Commission consents to the transfer of ownership from Meredith/New Heritage to Continental Cable.
The Commission consents to the transfer of ownership from Continental Cable to US West, Inc.
Commission changes voting structure, eliminating the possibility that one city could veto an item on its own.
A division of assets was worked out in regards to Coon Rapids leaving the Commission.
Draft proposal for operating Community programming is presented.
The Commission sets a date of March 1, 1997 for taking over Community programming responsibilities from the cable company.
The Coon Rapids studio is closed.

1997

The decision to appoint city council members to the Commission is made
The Definitive Agreement to relieve the Cable Company of its Community Programming obligations as of March 1, 1997 is approved.
The Joint Powers Agreement is amended and an Operations Committee consisting of city managers is established.
Community Media Center budgets, staffing levels, and hiring dates established.
Commission sublets Media Center from Cable Company
Commission receives notice of request to transfer ownership of company to Charter Communications
Cities receive League Model Right of Way Ordinance and are encouraged to adopt it.
The Operations Committee is charged with conducting a comprehensive pay study
Commission hires a consultant to do a technological needs assessment in preparation for franchise renewal.
I-Net workshop is held at Blaine City Hall
Coon Rapids requests that the Blaine public access channel be played in Coon Rapids. The Commission denies the request.

1998

The Commission approves the transfer of US West, Inc. to Charter Communications
Organization amends JPA to change name to North Metro Telecommunications Commission, February
The National Sports Center is added to the I-Net
Franchise renewal negotiations ensue
US West informs Commission of intent to transfer ownership of system to MediaOne instead of Charter Comm.
The Media Center pay schedule is introduced.
Current Franchise is extended.
First joint Cable Commission/Operations Committee meeting is held.
Competitive Franchisers enter the picture.
Competitive franchising procedures and policies are approved.
The Executive Director and Office Manager resigned their positions effective December, 1998

1999

New Executive Director search commences.
Franchise is extended again.
Media Center Operations Manager also assumes responsibilities of Executive Director and Office Manager in their absence.
MediaOne notifies company of intent to transfer ownership to AT&T.
Executive Director search results in unsatisfactory options.
Operations Manager compiles an employee handbook.
An Administrative Assistant is hired in October of 1999.
A Viewer Survey is conducted.
Commission refuses to issue permits to Cable Company for any upgrade activity until a franchise is finalized.

2000

Commission approves Microsoft Engineer training for Administrative Assistant. Skills learned will help all 7 cities along with the Media Center.
Competitive franchisers Everest and Wide Open West explore obtaining franchises.
Franchise renewal ensues in earnest. Demographic study undertaken.
Approved entering into a joint franchise fee audit.
Operations Manager named Acting Executive Director.
Franchise is extended again.
Open access to cable infrastructure becomes an issue.
Taping of Anoka County Board meetings begins after initiation of city resolutions.
Operations Manager named Executive Director in April 2000
Commission approves merger of ATT and MediaOne

2001

Franchise extended again.
Media Center usage guidelines are reviewed and revised.
Commission approves purchasing a new production truck.
Commission moves to the formal franchise renewal process.
Creation of a news department at the Media Center.
Competitive franchisers head out of town.
Rate increase review is undertaken.
Franchise fee audit continues.
Hearings are held to determine franchise renewal needs.
A Video Engineer is hired at the Media Center.
A technical audit of the cable system is undertaken as a part of the formal renewal process..
Informal renewal negotiations reinitiated.

2002

AT&T announces its intent to merge with Comcast.
Commission is advised to deny merger.
High Speed Cable is determined to be an information service and not subject to franchise fees.
Commission orders ATT to cease and desist with their forced arbitration clause in their customer service flyer.
Upgrade permit ban is lifted. AT&T begins upgrade of system.
Commission consents to merger of AT&T and Comcast.
A franchise document is approved by the Cable Commission, August 2002.
The Commission authorized legal counsel to develop a resolution modifying the Joint Powers Agreement to allow the Commission to own land and issue bonds.
The HFC upgrade was completed in the cities of Blaine, Circle Pines, Lexington, Ham Lake, and Spring Lake Park. Digital Video services became available in those cities, November through December.
The Commission elected to perform no review of AT&T Broadband’s proposed rates, but issued a rate order neither approving nor denying the rates, which preserved the Commission’s rights to review future rates in relation to previous rates.
A comprehensive report outlining the need for a new Media Center facility was created, approved by the Commission, and distributed to the seven city councils for their review and approval.
The Commission expressed concerns regarding customer service issues and phone reporting statistics.
A resolution amending the Joint Powers Agreement, so the Commission could issue bonds and own land, was approved by the Commission and forwarded on to the seven city councils.

2003

The Commission approved resolutions that neither approved nor denied AT&T’s proposed equipment and programming rates, which preserved the Commission’s rights to review future rates in relation to previous rates.
Comcast and the Commission agreed to a new telephone statistic reporting format.
The cable company officially changed its name to Comcast.
The facility planning committee was created, by resolution, to oversee the financing, design, and construction of the new Media Center.
The seven city councils each adopt the new Joint Powers Agreement allowing the Commission to issue bonds and own land.
The Commission approved a two million dollar bond issue to construct a new Media Center.
The Commission began an examination of the 2003/2004 FCC forms 1240 and 1205.
The Commission approved moving forward with a franchise fee analysis.
Comcast completed the upgrade of the HFC subscriber network. All seven cities are now able to receive high speed data service. In all, Comcast upgraded 7,500 miles of plant, at an expense of over $250,000,000. (total Twin Cities market.) This was the single largest private investment since World War II, in the Twin Cities area.
Steve Kelley introduces a telecommunications reform bill in the state legislature that would rewrite Chapter 238 , which deals with cable regulation.
An architect was selected for the Media Center project.
The Commission opened an investment account with Pershing LLC through Northland Securities, related to the bonds and the new facility.
Property was purchased for the construction of the new Media Center.
Comcast began offering HDTV services.
The contract for construction of the new Media Center was awarded to Gen^Con Construction.
The North Metro area experienced a ten-month gain in subscriber levels.

2004

High Speed Data service capacity/speed is doubled.
Victory One Sports, a new sports channel that would be carrying the Twins baseball games, tried to negotiate a deal with Comcast. The Commission issued a resolution opposing any increase in cable rates due to the carriage of the Victory One Sports channel.
The Commission joined in a national rate study. The Commission expressed its disagreement with the policy of basing local equipment and installation rates on a national aggregation of equipment and installation costs. The belief was that national aggregation serves as a barrier to effective and efficient local rate regulation for an individual rate regulation authority like the Commission, and impedes the Commission’s ability to ensure that equipment rates are reasonable.
The ground breaking ceremony for the new Media Center was held in March.
Construction on the new Media Center began in April.
A comprehensive employee pay study was conducted.
Four new cameras were purchased for the production truck, ($170,241.47) including an upgrade to triax cable technology.
The Commission employee payment step plan was updated.
The Commission examined Comcast’s calculation and pass-through of non-subscriber franchise fees, on subscriber bills.
The Media Center is completed, and the move to the new facility took place on September 16th.
The lease for the previous Media Center via Comcast expires.
The Master Control cut-over is completed.
The Commission moved to require Comcast to include non-subscriber franchise fees in the next FCC form 1240 to be filed.
Video on Demand services are launched.

2005

Media Center assumed playback of city meetings, greatly reducing the investment cities need to make in playback equipment and staff, and increasing playback capabilities.
New studio sets are completed.
A new community television channel is created. All programs produced by the public began playing on channel 14, while all staff produced programming plays on channel 15. This is the first step in making sponsorships a possibility.
The new media center open house is held in May. Over 200 people stop by for tours and information regarding services.
National Form 1205 examination continued.
Comcast digitized all local and public access channels.
The Supreme Court upheld the definition of the internet as an information service, and not a cable service.
Several federal bills were introduced that would create national franchising for video service providers while eroding local control of public rights of way, reducing franchise fees, and eliminating funding for PEG channels.
Comcast indicated interest in pursuing a settlement of the 2004 and 2005 rate filings. The Commission agreed to the settlement, which will result in lower rates, and a refund to all current subscribers.
The FCC issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to determine whether local governments are serving to impede video service competition.
The FCC decided that including non-subscriber franchise fees in the FCC Form 1240 could not be done. The FCC did decide that including the FCC regulatory fee in the form 1240 is proper. These decisions were part of results of the Comcast franchise fee examination the Commission participated in.

2006

The proposed settlement of the 2004-2005 FCC Form 1205 rates was approved by 90% of the rate study participants. The credit on subscriber bills was $2.89. This was one of the largest rate settlements ever.

The Commission participated in filing comments regarding the FCC’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to determine whether local franchising serves as an impediment to video competition.

Comcast created a family friendly tier that will contain only G-rated programming. This is done to pacify those in Congress calling for a-la-carte programming availability.

Alternative sources of revenue generation for the North Metro TV operation are explored. Staff creates a rate card for sponsorship spots and begins creating spots and selling time around staff produced programs.

The Commission hires a consultant to help develop a strategic plan for identifying and implementing alternative sources of revenue for North Metro TV.

Bills that would eliminate local franchising and reduce or eliminate franchise fees and PEG fees move through both houses of Congress.

New unifying logos are created for North Metro TV, Channel 14, Channel 15, and the North Metro Telecommunications Commission.

Playback capacity in Master Control is expanded to meet the growing playback needs of the government channels.

The City of Ham Lake began cablecasting their meetings for the first time.

The COPE Bill was adopted by the full U.S. House of Representatives by a 300 to 100 margin. The bill would federalize video franchising, and reduce PEG fee payments to 1% of gross revenue.

North Metro TV begins producing ads and buying ad avail spots from Comcast to promote community television.

Comcast closed on the former Time Warner Twin Cities system. Comcast’s service area goes from 87 to 110 cities in the Twin Cities region.

Staff provides live election results coverage for the primaries and regular election. All local races are monitored. This is the first time NMTV has gone live with election results coverage.

National franchising legislation does not make it to the Senate floor in 2007. Telecommunications Legislation will not be passed by the current Congress.

The Strategic Plan Report is completed. Staff creates several survival scenarios for the operation, should funding be greatly reduced.

The Commission adopts new policies and procedures governing the receipt and review of applications for additional franchises. This will streamline the process for new companies, and remove the argument that local franchising serves as an impediment to video competition.

The FCC approves an order to nationalize video franchising.

2007

Part-time production assistants are hired for crewing van shoots.
The Commission investigates refinancing the building bond. It is determined that the cost of doing so would outweigh the interest savings.
Blaine High School changes policies to allow live coverage of sporting events. NMTV expands live coverage of events to include football, basketball, hockey, soccer, and wrestling.
Commission increases operating reserve to 25% of annual operating budget.
The Commission adopted resolutions that neither approved nor denied Comcast’s proposed equipment and basic programming rates, which preserved the Commission’s rights to review future rates in relation to previous rates.
The FCC adopted an Order and Report establishing rules and procedures for franchising competitive entrants. The FCC determined that local franchising serves as a barrier to competition. The new rules include a shot-clock for approving competitive franchises, definitions of reasonable and unreasonable build-out requirements, limitations on franchise and other fees, and PEG and I-Net requirements.
The Order is appealed.
The original Order included a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to determine when the new rules should be applied to incumbent cable companies.
The Commission joins a national local governments group, through NATOA, to file an Amicus Brief in support of the appeal of the First Order and Report.
The Commission participated in the filing of comments regarding the Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.
House File 2351, a bill regarding state-wide franchising for phone companies providing video service in Minnesota is introduced. The bill would eliminate build-out requirements, PEG fees in addition to franchise fees, and impose additional costs upon local governments. The bill is opposed by the League of Minnesota Cities and MACTA.
The Commission and North Metro TV budgets are combined into one organizational budget.
The Commission participates in providing Reply Comments to Comments filed, regarding the Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.
Comcast increases the speed of its internet service to 12 megabits per second.
The Commission initiates an audit of franchise fees paid by Comcast.
The Big 10 Network is introduced. Comcast will not carry it on the basic level, refusing to charge all subscribers for it. Instead they offer to provide it on a sports tier. Big 10 wants to be carried on the basic level. The issue is not resolved.
A model franchise ordinance template for competitive video providers is adopted by all seven member cities.
The petition for a stay of the FCC’s First Order and Report is denied.
Comcast introduces several business class services, including an 8-line service for small businesses, web hosting, and high speed data tele-work products.
Staff and Commission members meet with local representatives to discuss concerns regarding state-wide franchising legislation.
Representative Sheldon Johnson chairs stake-holder meetings intended to help shape state-wide franchising legislation. MACTA provides white papers supporting local government’s positions on the topics of franchise fees, I-Nets, PEG support, build-out requirements, and the treatment of current franchises.
Qwest withdraws its support for a state-wide franchising bill. Representative Johnson states his intention to continue to push for it.
NMTV staff assist School District 12 with equipment replacement plans.
The FCC’s Second Order and Report concerning how and when new franchising rules should be applied to incumbent cable operators became effective on December 24^th.
Oral arguments, before the 6^th District Court, regarding the appeal of the First Order are scheduled.
North Metro TV’s public access instructor resigned.

2008

The program playback guidelines were updated to reflect new ways that public access programming can be transmitted and stored.
The Commission forwarded a resolution supporting local franchising pursuant to Chapter 238 of Minnesota Statute to all member city councils for their consideration.
The Local Government Group’s petition for reconsideration of the FCC’s Second Report and Order was received.
The Commission adopted resolutions that neither approved nor denied Comcast’s proposed equipment and basic programming rates, which preserved the Commission’s rights to review future rates in relation to previous rates.
Oral arguments, before the 6^th District Court, regarding the appeal of the First Order were heard.
A new public access instructor was hired.
The staff PC based non-linear editing system died. It was replaced with a MAC non-linear editing system.
The Final Report regarding the Franchise Fee Review initiated in 2007 was presented. Consultant Dick Treich found areas of concern, including home shopping revenues and advertising commissions. It was recommended that the Commission pursue a more in-depth review of those areas.
The Statewide Franchising Bill was renamed the Statewide Franchising Study Bill. The state will commission a study of at least three states that have statewide franchising.
The Commission hired Front Range Consulting to do an in-depth review of non-subscriber related franchise fees.
The 6^th Circuit Court upheld the FCC’s First Report and Order in total. The court did clarify that the cost of equipment was not to be considered a franchise fee.
The decision was appealed en banc.
Comcast filed a petition with the FCC asking the FCC to determine that Comcast is subject to effective competition in the seven member cities.
The Commission filed an opposition to Comcast’s filing for regulatory relief.
NMTV purchased time on a billboard for eight weeks. City Scope and Sports Den, along with the NMTV website were promoted.
The new NMTV website premiered. It includes live video streaming and video on demand services.
A data request was sent to Comcast on August 27^th to begin the in-depth review.
The Commission issued a notice of violation to Comcast in November for not providing the data requested in the August data request.
Comcast filed a reply to the Commission’s opposition to their petition for regulatory relief.
The Commission voted to file a motion with the FCC to file a surreply to Comcast’s reply to the Commission’s opposition comments.
Commission staff discussed a possible settlement of the Franchise Fee Review with Comcast staff. Comcast withdrew support for a settlement.