PUBLIC SERVICE & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE

OCTOBER 23, 2006

COUNCIL CHAMBER

Convened: 7:05 p.m.

Adjourned: 8:55 p.m.

Present were: Chairperson Councilor Joseph M. Petty

Councilor Gary Rosen

Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey

Also: DPWP Staffperson Robert Fiore

Cable Technician Judy Warren

Deputy City Solicitor Michael Traynor

Cable TV Advisory Committee Member William Wood

Cable TV Advisory Committee Member Michael Cicero

Cable TV Advisory Committee Member Thomas Colletta

City Clerk David J. Rushford

CABLE

Communications of the City Manager

1. Relative to government channel policies.

#16A CM May 28, 2002

In Committee January 13, 2003 – Held

In Committee May 3, 2004 – Held

In Committee January 12, 2005 – Held

In Committee February 27, 2006 – Held

Recommend File

2. Relative to issues regarding Charter Communications.

#15B CM May 20, 2003

In Committee May 3, 2004 – Held

In Committee January 12, 2005 – Held

In Committee February 27, 2006 – Held

Recommend File

3. Relative to outstanding Charter Communications items.

#15B CM July 1, 2003

In Committee May 3, 2004 – Held

In Committee January 12, 2005 – Held

In Committee February 27, 2006 – Held

Recommend File

4. Relative to a supplemental list of items concerning cable television.

#15D CM August 12, 2003

In Committee May 3, 2004 – Held

In Committee January 12, 2005 – Held

In Committee February 27, 2006 – Held

Recommend File

5. Relative to a notice from Charter Communications concerning its introduction of CableCARDs beginning on July 1, 2004.

#15A CM June 1, 2004

In Committee January 12, 2005 – Held

In Committee February 27, 2006 – Held

Recommend File

6. Relative to services provided under the terms of the current Charter Communications Contract.

#15A CM March 1, 2005

In Committee February 27, 2006 – Held

Recommend File

7. Relative to the Charter Communications Contract Renewal Process.

#4A CM August 29, 2006

Recommend Hold

8. Regarding the Draft Ascertainment Report for the Cable Contract Renewal Process.

#4A CM September 12, 2006

Recommend Hold

9. Relative to the annual report of the Worcester Community Cable Access, Inc.

#29A CM March 22, 2005

In Committee February 27, 2006 – Held

Recommend File

10. Regarding the feasibility and cost to provide closed captioning of the Government Channel 12.

#29B CM April 5, 2005

In Committee February 27, 2006 – Held

Recommend File

11. Relative to the use of assisted listening devices for public agency meetings broadcast on cable television.

#29C CM April 5, 2005

In Committee February 27, 2006 – Held

Recommend File

12. Transmitting informational communication relative to Charter Communications’ new rate schedule.

# 34C CM January 17, 2006

In Committee February 27, 2006 – Held

Recommend Hold

13. Relative to a letter from Robert J. Spain, Director of Government Relations at Charter Communications regarding program changes, rate schedules and the monthly call center statistic report.

#34A CM May 30, 2006

Recommend Hold

Communications of James DelSignore, City Auditor

14. Transmitting report relative to City receiving proper compensation under the franchise agreement between the City and Charter Communications.

#150 CC August 12, 2003

In Committee May 3, 2004 – Held

In Committee June 23, 2004 – Held

In Committee January 12, 2005 – Held

Recommend File

15. Transmitting financial reports on Worcester Community Cable Access (WCCA) & Worcester Education Cable Access (EA). Also a review of WCCA audited financial statements and its submittal on operations.

#50 CC April 25, 2006

Recommend Hold

Speakers:

1. Edward Murphy, 16 Wahnita Road, Worcester

2. David Gauthier, 77 Haven Lane, Worcester

3. Hermis Yanis, 112 Puritan Avenue, Worcester

4. Mauro DePasquale, 146 Morningside Road, Worcester

Chairman’s Order request the City Manager report to the City Council concerning a second local access station on cable television.

Chairman’s Order request the City Manager request Charter Communications provide the City Council with data concerning updated telephone subscriber levels across the City.

Other Items

16. Petition of Scott Babbitt request the City Council to make known to Charter Media its displeasure on rate increases.

#7 CC March 9, 2004

In Committee June 23, 2004 – Held

Recommend File

17. Resolution filed by Councilor Frederick C. Rushton and Councilor Joseph M. Petty – That the City Council of the City of Worcester request that the Administration work with Charter Communications as part of their ongoing negotiations and to include as a discussion point, the issue of 24 hour maintenance on cable services.

In City Council September 20, 2005 #83a CC Resolution Adopted 10-0

In Committee for Informational Purposes Only

Recommend File

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Communications of the City Manager

18. Relative to a Telecommunications Master Plan.

#15H CM September 16, 2003

In Committee June 23, 2004 – Held

In Committee February 27, 2006 – Held

Recommend File

19. Relative to an Update on the City’s Telecommunications Master Plan.

#32A CM August 29, 2006

Recommend File

20. Relative to the City of Worcester Telecommunications Analysis.

#15A CM April 5, 2005

In Committee February 27, 2006 – Held

Recommend Hold

21. Relative to the Request for Proposals (RFP) for a Telecommunications and Information Technology – “A Smart Communities” – Master Plan.

#34A CM April 25, 2006

Recommend File

PETITIONS - STREET LIGHTS

22. Arlene R. Haddad et al request increase to maximum wattage for street lights #’s 7 & 8 Park Terrace Road.

#24 CC July 18, 2006

Recommend Approval to increase lumens to 9600

23. Candace Pino request to install a street light across from 8 Graystone Circle.

#19 CC August 29, 2006

Recommend Hold (DPWP to contact petitioner for additional information)

24. Thoma Xhupi request to install street lights on Willvail Street.

#20 CC August 29, 2006

Recommend Approval of installation of two new street lights on existing poles