HomeMy WebLinkAboutTime Warner Franchise Agreement Information CITY OF ITHACA
V~ �t 108 East Green Street Ithaca, New York 14850-5690
DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT H. MATTHYS VAN CORT, DIRECTOR
g7R►ff�0 Telephone: 607/274-6550 Fax: 607/274-6558
TO: Intermunicipal Cable Consortium
FROM: H. Matthys Van Cort
Director of Planning and Development
SUBJECT: Cable Refranchising
DATE: January 14, 1998
For the past several months the City of Ithaca has been working on selecting a consultant to assist
the City in its upcoming franchise renewal negotiations with Time Warner. We also have
participated in your development of a model franchise that could be used throughout the County
by various jurisdictions which issue cable franchises. As we have all learned more, it has become
apparent that all of our communities would benefit from combining our efforts. We believe and
hope you agree that the other communities in the County would also benefit from such a
partnership.
We believe that this isn an issue that unites all jurisdictions. There is no question that our strength
in negotiations would be enhanced with the greater numbers that a consortium of all county
communities would bring to the table.
I am asking that you consider a proposal for a joint contract with a cable consultant. The
consultant would be financed by the City of Ithaca and the other jurisdictions in the county having
franchises with Time Warner. We would suggest that the jurisdictions outside of the City of
Ithaca participate by a financial contribution equal to 1 1/2 times the annual franchise fee paid to
the jurisdiction by Time Warner. The City of Ithaca will pay the remainder of the contract
amount.
If a joint contract is entered into, we would ask your participation in the formulation of a final
scope of work for the consultant to be selected. I strongly believe that would be to our mutual
advantage to enter into such a cooperative agreement. I look forward to your response to this
proposal.
q:\planning\etaf t\thys\memos\1998\cblcnsrt.doc
"An Equal Opportunity Employer with a commitment to workforce diversification." C�
��j°••° � CITY OF ITHACA
108 East Green Street Ithaca, New York 14850-5690
DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT H. MATTHYS VAN CORT, DIRECTOR
Telephone: 607/274-6550 Fax: 607/274-6558
TO: Alan Cohen, Mayor
Pat Vaughan, Alderwoman
FROM: Jeannie S. Lee
Economic Development Planner
SUBJECT: Cable Re-franchising
DATE: July 27, 1998
Jean Rice, of Rice, Williams Associates, has suggested the formation of two task forces
for the cable re-franchising process. The task forces will be responsible for assessing the
future needs of the community in two areas: the Public, Education, and Government
(PEG) Access and the Institutional Network (I-Net). The task forces' role and
responsibilities are outlined in the attached memorandum from Jean Rice. Please advise us
on the appointment approach for the task forces.
Cc: Thys Van Cort,
Director of Planning and Development
"An Equal Opportunity Employer with a commitment to workforce diversification." �a
RICE, WILLIAMS ASSOCIATES
MEMORANDUM
DATE: June 17, 1998 DEPgRI ENT OF
N &DEVELOPMENT
TO: Mr. Thys Van Cort
Mr. Ben Curtis
FROM: Ms. Jean Rice
RE: Task Forces
As requested, following is a brief description of the background, purpose, and final reports
of the task forces we discussed establishing for the renewal process.
Background:
The City of Ithaca,New York, and a number of other members of the Thompkins County
Intermunicipal Cable Commission are in the cable television franchise refranchising process. As
a part of this process, the municipalities are undertaking a comprehensive analysis of the facilities,
services, and public benefits that cable television can and should offer local area residents,
institutions, and organizations in the future. As a part of this process, the municipalities will
conduct public hearings. The municipalities will also have Rice, Williams Associates conduct two
L surveys: 1) to assess organizational interest in public, educational and government access
programming and services, and to assess the need for an institutional network serving institutions;
and 2) a survey to ascertain any customer service issues and interest in new technology.
As previously discussed, an important component of the needs assessment will be
undertaken by two task forces: 1) a task force on public, educational, and government access; and
2) a task force on the institutional network. In addition, other committees or task forces could be
formed to report at a public hearing, such as technical committee that was discussed at the prior
Intermunicipal Cable Commission meeting. The responsibility of each task force is to focus on
the future needs of the community and report at a public hearing on the channels, facilities,
equipment, and the institutional network and services that will be needed for future access and
institutional efforts in the municipalities. The reports of the task forces will be an important part
of the refranchising process, and will be presented at a public hearing.
601 Pennsylvania Avenue,NW 774-C Walker Road,P.O. Box 765
Suite 900 Great Falls,VA 22066
Washington,DC 20004 Phone:(703)757-0570
Phone:(202)737-2400 Fax:(703)757-0573
s
MEMORANDUM
Mr. Thys Van Cort
Mr. Ben Curtiss
June 17, 1998
Page 2
The Government, Educational, Public Access Task Force goals are to:
■ Review existing resources and assess the need for additional equipment to support
public, educational, and government access programming.
■ Delineate the function of facilities and equipment needed for government,
educational and public access and, if possible, the location of facilities and the
suggested make and model numbers of equipment.
■ Delineate options for public, educational, and government access management.
■ Specify any services that can be provided by the cable company to assist the
municipalities in its public, educational, government access effort (e.g. publicity).
■ Specify locations where access programming should originate in the future.
■ Indicate if additional channels and how many will be needed in the future for
programming to the public, including digital capacity.
The Institutional Network Task Force goals are to:
■ Review the need for an institutional network between institutions for the following
purposes:
• Telephone Interconnect
• Data Processing System
- Terminals
- Computer
- Databases
- Local Area Networks
• Monitoring/Switching
Water Substations
Building Management Control
Traffic Signalization
MEMORANDUM
Mr. Thys Van Cort
Mr. Ben Curtiss
June 16, 1998
Page 3
• Video Applications
- Conferencing
- Training
- Satellite Program Distribution
- Security
- Courtroom Arraignments
• Multimedia
■ Recommend sites to receive Internet services from the cable company.
■ Recommend the buildings proposed to be connected through an institutional
network.
■ Specify the technologies which are preferred to specific sites (e.g. fiber optics).
■ Recommend management for the institutional network.
■ Recommend transition from coaxial network to fiber and/or the system's upstream
capacity.
Final Reports:
The results of the deliberations of the Government, Public, and Educational Task Force,
and the Institutional Network Task Force and any other task forces or committees, should be
included in a brief final report. The Chairpersons of the Task Forces will be called upon to speak
at a public hearing and present the recommendations of the Task Forces to the municipalities.
s
CITY OF ITHACA
N= gel
108 East Green Street Ithaca, New York 14850-5690
t
•`, i o
DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT • H. MATTHYS VAN CORT, DIRECTOR
Telephone: 607/274-6550 Fax: 607/274-6558
August 14, 1998
Mr. Philip Smith
General Manager
Time Warner Cable
519 W. State Street
Ithaca, NY 14850
Dear Mr. Smith:
The City of Ithaca and other surrounding jurisdictions have recently hired the firm, Rice,
Williams Associates (RWA) to study several areas related to the cable renewal process.
One area RWA will study is the technical aspect of your system. RWA will conduct a
review of the system and we ask for your cooperation in this area. This letter is to request
the materials needed prior to the on-site visit. I would appreciate it if you could provide
the following information on the system serving the Ithaca area, for review purposes.
1. A copy of the most recent proof-of-performance of the system(s).
Included in this information should be a description of the test
locations, a list of each of the technical tests performed, and a
tabulation of data entries made at the time of testing.
2. A system trunk tree map illustrating the location of each of the test
locations relative to the headend or hub site facilities and illustrating
the general trunk routing and including a notation of the number of
trunk and distribution amplifiers involved in the cascade.
3. A list of the test equipment available at the facility along with
information on the most recent calibration date for sweep receivers,
spectrum analyzers, and signal strength meters.
4. Please provide the make and model number of trunk and
distribution amplifiers used in the system(s). Also include the input
and output operational levels for these amplifiers.
5. Copy of system design specifications.
"An Equal Opportunity Employer with a commitment to workforce diversification." ��
Mr.Philip Smith
August 14, 1998
Page 2
6. Location of all headends, address and geodetic coordinates.
Coordinates for all headends.
7. Channel line-up and channel assignment (Standard NCTA-HRC,
NCTA-IRC, etc.).
8. Location of longest cascade, including number of cascade (i.e.
number of trunk amps, bridger amps and line extenders at that
location).
9. One single sheet map showing at least the following information:
• street names
• current cable and fiber routing
• trunk tree
• node locations, cable and fiber.
10. Cable company contacts and telephone.
Your prompt attention to this matter is greatly appreciated. Should you require
any additional information, please do not hesitate to call Jeannie Lee at our Planning
Department (274-6550) or Don Williams at (202) 737-2400. The consultant will can you
after a review of this material to arrange the on-site visit. Thank you for your assistance,
and we look forward to a cooperative process.
Sincerely,
4xv� 0
H. Matthys Van Cort
Director of Planning and Development
cc: Mr. Ben Curtis,Tompkins County Intermunicipal Cable Commission
Mr. Don C. Williams, Rice, Williams Associates
o OCT 15
�Y
TIME WARNER
CABLE
October 7, 1998
H. Matthys Van Cort
Director of Planning and Development
City of Ithaca
198 East Green Street
Ithaca,NY 14850 Via Certified Mail
To the City Clerk, City of Ithaca
Dear Mr. Van Cort:
I am in receipt of two letters from you dated 8/14/98 and one from Jeannie Lee of your office,
dated 8/14/98, but not received until 9/3/98. These letters request various information related to
upcoming discussions with the City and other municipalities related to franchise negotiations.
My office and our Divisional headquarters in Syracuse have begun to assemble the required
information. Several questions have already arisen as to how to provide you with the requested
material.
It is unclear to my office exactly which municipalities that Rice Williams Associates represents.
Could you provide a list of the municipalities that RWA represents for purposes of negotiations
and if you wish to have the detailed information provided by municipality or in the aggregate.
As you office is aware, we are in the midst of a complete 750 MHZ upgrade of our distribution
system in Tompkins County and surrounding areas. We would like to provide you with the most
up to date information on plant design and operation. There are some portions of the system
where the finalized designs are not complete at this time. I believe that they will be available in
the next 45 days and we will provide them as they become available.
We have also just completed our most recent FCC proof-of performance tests. As soon as the
data is compiled we will provide this information. Again, if you can detail which municipalities
are represented by your office and RWA, this will assist us in providing the required data.
In Item 9 of the letter requesting technical information, you have requested various system
design parameters along with street names on"one single sheet map". Due to the level of detail
contained in our system design prints, this is not possible. On a single sheet, none of the
requested data would be readable. Can you inquire of RWA if there is another format that they
Itte.d I[lr-���. �} 7g1,50 Y'e/GG
could use. A complete set of system design prints is available for inspection at our Ithaca office
during regular business hours. This may be sufficient for their needs.
All information in the letter requesting information franchise fee calculation is stored and
produced at our Divisional office in Syracuse,New York. I have forwarded your request to Mr.
Fred Pappalardo, Vice President of Finance, Time Warner Cable, Syracuse Division, PO Box
4733, Syracuse,NY 13211. Once again, his office will need specific information as to which
municipalities that RWA represents and based on that information if you are seeking information
on a individual municipality specific basis or in the aggregate.
Thanks for your assistance with the above. I hope that with your assistance we can provide the
requested information by mid-November.
Sincerely, -_
r�
Phil Smith
General Manager
Time Warner Cable
Ithaca
cc: Hon. Alan Cohen
Mayor, City of Ithaca
Steve Miron
VP of Operations
Time Warner Cable, Syracuse Division
Fred Pappalardo
VP of Finance
Time Warner Cable, Syracuse
Gary Matz
Senior Council
Time Warner Cable, Stamford, CT
Time Warner Entertainment-Advance/Newhouse Partnership
Syracuse Division d/b/a Time Warner Cable
Ithaca System
Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Assets
June 30, 1998
(Unaudited)
Assets
Cash $ 83,253
Accounts receivable, less allowance
for doubtful accounts of$91,012 728,864
Prepaid expenses and other assets 51,350
Property,plant and equipment, at cost (Note2):
Land,building and improvements $ 2,186,497
Distribution system 21,901,953
Vehicles and other equipment 3,716,178
Construction in progress 3.100.017
30,904,645
Less accumulated depreciation (16,142.754)
Net property, plant and equipment 14,761,891
Franchise costs, less accumulated
amortization of$1,573,057 (Note 2) 878,330
$16 5(�3 88
Liabilities and Net Assets
Accounts payable $ 915,485
Accrued liabilities 759,549
Deferred income 809,480
Subscribers' advance payments 80.691
2,565,205
Net assets (Note 1) 13,938.483
$16.503.688
See notes to financial statements
Time Warner Entertainment-Advance/Newhouse Partnership
Syracuse Division d/b/a Time Warner Cable
Ithaca System
Statement of Revenues and Expenses and Changes in Net Assets
June 30, 1998
(Unaudited)
Revenues
Service $8,691,328
Connection and other 2655.421
$ 11,346,749
Expenses
Operating and origination 4,418,797
Selling, general and administrative 1,268,319
Depreciation and amortization (Note 2) 2,768,710
Interest,net 171.502
8.627.328
Income before charge equivalent to income taxes 2,719,421
Charge equivalent to income taxes (Note 2) 1.114.900
Net income 1,604,521
Net assets at beginning of year 14,093,188
Net payments to Time Warner Entertainment-
Advance/Newhouse Partnership (1.759.226)
Net assets at end of year $13.938.483
See notes to financial statements
Time Warner Entertainment-Advance/Newhouse Partnership
Syracuse Division d/b/a Time Warner Cable
Ithaca System
Statement of Cash Flows
June 30, 1998
(Unaudited)
Operating Activities
Net income $1,604,521
Adjustments to reconcile net income to
net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 2,768,710
Change in non-cash working capital:
Accounts receivable and prepaid expenses
and other assets (40,592)
Accounts payable, accrued liabilities, deferred
income and subscribers' advance payments 1.093,
Net cash provided by operating activities $ 5,425,999
Investing Activities
Purchases of property,plant and equipment (3,701,207)
Franchise Acquisition 1 144)
Net cash used in investing activities (3,714,351)
Financing Activities
Net payments to Time Warner Entertainment-
Advance/Newhouse Partnership (1.759,226)
Net increase in cash (47,578)
Cash at beginning of year 130.831
Cash at end of year $ 83.253
See notes to financial statements
Time Warner Entertainment-Advance/Newhouse Partnership
Syracuse Division d/b/a Time Warner Cable
Ithaca System
Notes to Financial Statements
June 30, 1998
(Unaudited)
1. Description of Business
The Syracuse Division of Time Warner Entertainment-Advance/Newhouse Partnership
(TWE-A/N),doing business as Time Warner Cable(the Division),is principally engaged in
the cable television business. Such operations consist primarily of selling video
programming which is distributed to subscribers for a monthly fee through a network of
coaxial cables and fiber optics. The Division operates in the City of Ithaca,New York, and
contiguous areas under non-exclusive franchise agreements which are in effect until 1999
(the System).
Effective April 1, 1995,Time Warner Entertainment Company, L.P. (TWE), an affiliate of
Time Warner Inc. (Time Warner), formed TWE-A/N, a general partnership, with
Advance/Newhouse Partnership(Advance/Newhouse). The TWE and Advance/Newhouse
interests in TWE-A/N are 66.67% and 33.33%,respectively. The majority of the assets of
the Division were contributed to TWE-A/N,which is managed by, and an affiliate of TWE.
The System has no separate legal status or existence. The System's resources and existence
are at the disposal of TWE-A/N management, subject to contractual commitments by TWE-
A/N to perform certain long-term contracts within the present divisional structure. The
System's assets are legally available for the satisfaction of debts of TWE-AIN, not solely
those appearing in the accompanying statements; and its debts may result in claims against
assets not appearing therein. The Division is one of several divisions of TWE-A/N and
transactions and the terms thereof may be arranged by and among members of the affiliated
group.
2. Significant Accounting Policies
Property, Plant and Equipment
Depreciation is provided on the straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the
assets as follows:
Building and improvements 5-20 years
Distribution system 3-15 years
Vehicles and other equipment 3-10 years
Time Warner Entertainment-Advance/Newhouse Partnership
Syracuse Division d/b/a Time Warner Cable
Ithaca System
Notes to Financial Statements
June 30, 1998
(Unaudited)
2. Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
Franchise Costs
The System has deferred costs incurred to acquire the franchises. Amortization of these costs
is provided on the straight-line basis over periods of up to thirty-six years.
Charge Equivalent to Income Taxes
The Division is included in the TWE-AIN Federal Partnership Return of Income. In
accordance with the TWE-A/N partnership agreement, cash distributions by TWE-A/N
generally are required to be made to the partners to permit them to pay taxes.
Statement of Cash Flows
For purposes of this statement, cash includes all highly liquid investments purchased with
original maturities of three months or less.
3. Related Party Transactions
Interest charged to the System by TWE-A/N was computed by allocating the interest
calculated on TWE-A/N's outstanding borrowings by the proportion of the System's average
net assets to TWE-A/N's average net assets. During the year ended June 30, 1998, interest
was charged at an average rate of 6.23% and aggregated$171,502.
The statement of revenues and expenses and changes in net assets includes charges for
programming and promotional services provided by Home Box Office and other affiliates
of TWE-A/N. These charges are based upon customary rates.
4. Leases
Rental expenses for all operating leases,principally pole attachment fees, for the year ended
June 30, 1998, amounted to$127,200. The System has no significant noncancelable rental
commitments.
Time Warner Entertainment-Advance/Newhouse Partnership
Syracuse Division d/b/a Time Warner Cable
Ithaca System
Notes to Financial Statements
June 30, 1998
(Unaudited)
5. Benefit Plans
The System participates in a noncontributory defined benefit pension plan(the Pension Plan)
which is maintained by TWE-A/N and covers substantially all employees. Benefits under
the Pension Plan are determined based on formulas which reflect the employees' years of
service and average compensation for the highest five consecutive years of the last ten years
of service. Total pension cost for the year ended June 30, 1998, was $64,588.
The System also participates in a defined contribution plan maintained by TWE (The Time
Warner Cable Savings Plan- Savings Plan)which covers substantially all employees. The
System's contributions to the Savings Plan can amount to up to 6.67% of the employee's
eligible compensation during the plan year. The plan sponsor has the right in any year to set
the maximum amount of the System's contribution. Defined contribution plan expense
totaled$36,076 for the year ended June 30, 1998.
-Z� I �y CITY OF ITHACA
VS' 108 East Green Street Ithaca,New York 14850-5690
i
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR • ALAN J.COHEN
~ti....NN-�,� S
/�RATEQ Telephone: 607/274-6501 Fax: 607/274-6526 e Se v4
J0 e� 0
December 2 1 AaAd
998
Mr. Ronald Acerra, Principal V ��
DeWitt Middle School
560 Warren Road
Ithaca,NY 14850
Dear Mr. Acerra:
As you may already know, the Ithaca Area Cable Consortium is in the process of
negotiating the refranchising of cable franchises in our area(subject of course to final approval
by each municipality's legislative body). As part of this process, the Consortium is studying the
services and programming that the cable provider can and should offer local area residents,
institutions, and organizations in the future.
To help the Consortium assess institutional and organizational interests in local
programming, please complete the following questionnaire. The questionnaire requests
information concerning the communication needs of your organization and the potential of cable
services to meet those needs.
Rice, Williams Associates, a Washington, D.C. based consulting firm, is assisting the
Consortium in this process. Rice, Williams Associates has prepared the enclosed questionnaire.
Please take a few minutes to complete this survey and return the completed form in the
envelope provided. The information you provide will help the Consortium accurately measure
the community's needs.
Should you have any questions concerning the survey, please call Ms. Jeannie Lee at
607-274-6550, or Don Williams of Rice, Williams Associates at 202-737-2400.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Respectfully,
0// 4
Alan J. Cohen
Mayor
Enclosures
'An Equal opportunity Employer with an Affirmative Action Program' �.«i
COMMUNITY NEEDS ASSESSMENT
The Ithaca Area Cable Consortium, New York (the "Consortium") is studying the services and
programming that cable television can and should offer area residents, institutions, and organizations
in the future.
Your participation in this process is appreciated and the information will help the Consortium
accurately measure cable communication needs. Below are some brief definitions of cable television
terms which may be of some assistance to you in completing this brief survey.
Cable Bulletin Board: A local cable television channel over which text messages from
various organizations are carried indicating meetings, notices or public service
announcements. The electronic community bulletin board is a service which the local
governments, schools, and nonprofit groups may utilize to announce their activities and
events free of charge.
Access Channels: Access channels may be devoted to government, educational, or
general public use. Access channels allow community groups, organizations and
individuals to produce or provide programming to small, targeted audiences or a more
general audience. Currently, Channel 53 is for local Government Access, Channels 54
and 55 are for Educational Access, and Channels 13 and 57 are for Public Access.
Institutional Network (I-Net): As the name implies, a network is formed between
institutions. This network, in the past, utilized coaxial cable but now utilizes a number
Copyrigbt,0 1998 by Rice, Williams Associates, Inc.
1
of technologies including fiber optics. The institutions served by an I-Net vary from
community to community but often include schools, municipal buildings, libraries,
businesses, courts, and community institutions. Use of an I-Net may include both open
and closed-circuit video programming, teleconferencing or data transmission.
Please circle the correct number corresponding to your answer and print legibly. Please return
the completed survey in the self-addressed stamped envelope provided. Date for return:
Name of Organization or Producer:
Address and Telephone Number:
Name of Person Completing Survey:
Title: Date:
Copyright° 1998 by Rice, Williams Associates, Inc.
2
1. Type of Organization or Agency:
Government 1
Civic 2
Public Education 3
Higher Education 4
Arts 5
Health 6
Other 7
2. Does your local organization currently provide any type of video programming(taped or live) to the public?
Yes 1 If yes, please answer questions 2a-c and continue.
No 2 If no, please skip to question 3.
Uncertain 8
N/A 9
a. What is the nature of this programming (i.e. name and program(s) description)?
Name and Description:
b. How often is such programming shown to the public? (You may mark more than one answer.)
Daily 1
Weekly 2
Monthly 3
Occasionally 4
Uncertain 8
N/A 9
Copyrightm 1998 by Rice, Williams Associates, Inc.
3
C. How is the programming made available to the public? (You may circle more than one answer.)
Group Meetings 1
Public TV 2
Local Community Cable Access Channels 3
Other 5
Uncertain 8
N/A 9
3. Would your local organization use a local cable community bulletin board to list upcoming events,meetings or other
notices?
Yes 1 If yes, please specify the type of notices and answer 3a.
No 2
Don't Know 8
N/A 9 —
a. If yes how frequently?
Daily 1
Weekly 2
Monthly 3
Occasionally 4
Unsure 8
N/A 9
4. Would the organization be interested in an interactive bulletin board whereby viewers could request the information
they wanted?
Yes 1
No 2
Uncertain 8
N/A 9
Copyright® 1998 by Rice, Williams Associates, Inc.
4
5. Do you think your organization or department's objectives and outreach goals could be enhanced with future
programs cablecast to the community over government, educational or public access channels serving the
community?
Yes 1 If yes, please answer questions 6, 7 and 8.
No 2 If no, please skip to question 9.
Uncertain 8
N/A 9-
6. What types of cable programming do you think your organization or department would most likely produce/provide
in addition to the current offerings? Please answer for each type of programming a-g.
a. Educational/Information Programs to the Public
Yes 1 If yes, please describe:
No 2
Don't Know 8
N/A 9
b. Coverage of Meetings and Public Hearings
Yes 1 If yes, please describe:
No 2
Don't Know 8
N/A 9
C. Special Events (cultural, arts, etc.)
Yes 1 If yes, please describe:
No 2
Don't Know 8
N/A 9
d. Recreational Programs
Yes 1 If yes, please describe:
No 2
Don't Know 8
N/A 9
e. In-service Training Programs for Employees
Yes 1 If yes, please describe:
No 2
Don't Know 8
N/A 9
Copyright® 1998 by Rice, Williams Associates, Inc.
5
f. Sports Events
Yes 1 If yes, please describe:
No 2
Don't Know 8
N/A 9
g. Other Types of Programs
Yes I If yes, please describe:
No 2
Don't Know 8
N/A 9
7. Which of the following types of video production equipment do you require in order to continue to produce or
provide programming? Please circle the appropriate response.
YES NO EQUIPMENT UNCERTAIN/NA
a. Yes No Non-Portable Video Uncertain N/A
Playback/Recording Equipment
b. Yes No Stationary Video Cameras Uncertain N/A
C. Yes No Video Editing Equipment Uncertain N/A
d. Yes No Portable Video Cameras Uncertain N/A
e. Yes No Lighting and Microphones Uncertain N/A
Attach additional information if necessary.
8. Do you feel that your organization needs additional production assistance to produce video programming'?
Yes 1 (If yes, please answer questions 8a.)
No 2 (If no, please skip to question 9.)
Uncertain 8
N/A 9
Copyright* 1998 by Rice, Williams Associates, Inc.
6
a. If yes, please indicate the type of assistance needed.
Studio equipment operators 1
Editing Assistance 2
On-site equipment operators 3
Program planning 4
Program Directors 5
Set design 6
Set construction 7
Uncertain g
N/A 9-
9. What time period is usually convenient to use a video production studio?
Before 8:00 a.m. 1
Morning hours (8:00 a.tn.-12:00 p.m.) 2
Afternoon (12:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.) 3
Evening (5:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.) 4
After 9:00 p.m. 5
Uncertain 8
N/A 9
10. Would you or a representative of the organization use a small automated studio or staffed by only one or two persons
for simple one or two person talk shows?
Yes 1 (If yes, please answer questions 10a.)
No 2 (If no, please skip to question 11.)
Uncertain 8
N/A 9—
a. Could your organization's building house such a studio?
Yes I
No 2
Unsure 8
N/A 9
I1. How many offices or facilities does your agency or department maintain in the community? _
a. Please list the location of these facilities. Please attach additional sheets if necessary.
Copyright® 1998 by Rice, Williams Associates, Inc.
7
12. Does your institution currently use a network to transmit and receive video?
Yes 1 If yes, please answer question 12a and continue.
No 2 If no, please skip to question 13.
Uncertain 8
N/A 9—
a. If yes, how many hour is programming transmitted and/or received and what is the nature of the
programming (e.g. in-service training, distance learning)?
Site Number of Urs. Number of Hrs. Receiving Nature of Programming
Transmitted per I per Week
13. Does your institution currently lease T1 or similar transport lines for data services?
Yes I If yes, please answer question 13a and continue.
No 2 If no, please skip to question 14.
Uncertain 8
N/A 9—
a. If yes, please describe the current applications and equipment utilized.
14. What type of transmission capacity is currently leased?
Site T3 (DS3) T1 (DSI) DSO Other
Copyright® 1998 by Rice, Williams Associates, Inc.
g
15. Please list any additional sites your institution would like to have included on a fiber optic institutional network or
on the two-way capacity on the cable system.
16. Do you believe your institution could utilize channels on a fiber optic institutional network or a two-way,high-speed,
high capacity, rebuilt cable communications system to provide for telecommunications to the sites you indicated
above?
Yes 1 If yes, please answer questions 17 and 18a-g.
No 2 If no, please skip to question 19.
Uncertain 8
N/A 9-
17. What type of transmission capacity is leased from other telecommunications vendors? Is it for data? Voice?
Mixed?
Capacity Number.Leased a of Traffic Sites Linked
13 (DS3)
Tl (DS1)
DSO
Other
a. In the next three years, how might your need for telecom capacity change?
Increase If yes, please explain why.
Decrease If yes, please explain why.
Remain the same If yes, please explain why.
Copyright* 1998 by Rice, Williams Associates, Inc.
9
18. Which of the following possible institutional work services would the institution use in the future?
a. In-service training to work sites.
Yes 1 If yes, please indicate where.
No 2
Uncertain 8
N/A 9
b. Local data transmission.
Yes 1 If yes, please indicate where.
No 2
Uncertain 8
N/A 9
C. Video surveillance(for public facilities and remote compounds).
Yes 1 If yes, please indicate where.
No 2
Uncertain 8
N/A 9
d. Interactive video transmission, e.g., links between hospital and medical facilities, schools for distance
learning or between courtroom and Detention Center.
Yes 1 Please indicate locations of connections.
No 2
Uncertain 8
N/A 9
e. Voice transmission.
Yes 1 If yes, please indicate where.
No 2
Uncertain 8
N/A 9
Copyright® 1998 by Rice, Williams Associates, Inc.
10
f. Internet.
Yes 1 If yes, please indicate where
No 2
Uncertain 8
N/A 9
g. LAN connections.
Yes 1 If yes, please indicate where.
No 2
Uncertain 8
N/A 9
19. If you have any suggestions or recommendations on services that should be offered by Time Warner Cable, please
use the space below.
Copyright® 1998 by Rice, Williams Associates, Inc.
11
Title FirstName LastName JobTitle Company Address'! Address2 City State PostalCode
Ms. Margaret Ferretti Dill Human 100 West Ithac NY 14850
Services Seneca a
Coalition Street—
Suite 300
Chief Chris Easton Varna Fire 100 Freese Ithac NY 14850
Departmen Road #3 a
t
Ms. Jodi Drake Village Village of 2405 North Ithac NY 14850
Clerk Lansing Triphamme a
r Road
Ms. Debra Dover Southside 305 South Ithac NY 14850
Community Plain a
Center Street
Mr. Roy Dexheimer District Tompkins- 555 Ithac NY 14850
Superinte Seneca- Warren a
ndent Tioga Road
BOCES
Ms. Susan Day-Hall Day Care 609 West Ithac NY 14850
& Child Clinton a
Developme Street
nt Council
of
Tompkins
County
Chief Robert Day Cayuga 214 Ithac NY 14850
Heights German a
Fire Cross
Departmen Road
t
Mr. Ben Curtis Tompkins C/O Village 2405 North Ithac NY 14850
Title FirstName LastName JobTitle Company Addressl Address2 City State PostalCode
County of Lansing Triphamme a
Intermunici Zoning r Road
pal Cable Enforceme
Commissio nt
n
Mr. Brent Cross Village Village of 836 Ithac NY 14850
Engineer Cayuga Hanshaw a
Heights Road
The William C. Barrett Judge Tompkins 320 North Ithac NY 14850
Hono County Tioga a
rable Court Street
House
Mr. Paul Bonaparte- Cornell 615 Willow Ithac NY 14850
Krogh Cooperativ Avenue a
e
Extension
Assocation
of
Tompkins
County
Ms. Mary Anne Lapinski The 515 West Ithac NY 14850
Learning Seneca a
Web Street
The Ronald Anderson Mayor Village of 836 Ithac NY 14850
Hono Cayuga Hanshaw a
rable Heights Road
Mr. Ronald Acerra Principal DeWitt 560 Ithac NY 14850
Middle Warren a
School Road
Sherif Emery Guest Tompkins 779 Ithac NY 14850
Title FirstName LastName JobTitle Company Address'! Address2 City State PostalCode
f County Warren a
Sheriff Road
Departmen
t
Dr. Charles Trautmann Executive The 601 First Ithac NY 14850
Director ScienCent Street a
er
Dr. Warren Allmon Executive Paleontolo 1259 Ithac NY 14850
Director gical Trumansbu a
Research rg Road
Institute
Mr. Fred Bonn Director Tompkins 904 East Ithac NY 14850
of County Shore a
Members Chamber Drive
hip & of
Public Commerce
Relations
Mr. Michael Stamm President Tompkins 200 East Ithac NY 14850
County Buffalo a
Area Street
Developme
nt
Ms. Christine Morrison Marketing The Ithaca 202 The Ithac NY 14850
Director Downtown Commons a
Partnershi
P
Ms. Mary Webber Director CRESP Anabel Cornell Ithac NY 14853-1001
Taylor Hall University a
Ms. Janet Steiner Director Tompkins 312 North Ithac NY 14850
County Cayuga a
Title FirstName LastName JobTitle Company Address1 Address2 City State PostalCode
Library Street
Ms. Judith Willis Gadabout Ithaca/Tom 737 Willow Ithac NY 14850
Transporta pkins Avenue a
tion Inc. Transit
Center
Mr. Arthur Weeks Finger 314 North Ithac NY 14850
Lakes Cayuga a
Library Street
System
Mr. David Watkins Director Media B-27 Cornell Ithac NY 14853-4401
Services Martha University a
Van
Rensselaer
Hall
Ms. Joyce Walker Economic Biggs 301 Dates Ithac NY 14850
Opportunit Building A Drive a
y
Cooperatio
n
Mr. Sam Velaquez Community 130 Ithac NY 1450
School of Prospect a
Music and Street
Art
Ms. Catherine Valentino Supervis Town of 126 East Ithac NY 14850
or Ithaca Seneca a
Street
Mr. Milton Goldstein Challenge 402 East Ithac NY 14850
Industries State a
Street
Mr. Paul Grennell YMCA Graham Ithac NY 14850
Title FirstName LastName JobTitle Company Addressl Address2 City State PostalCode
Road West a
The Donald Hartill Mayor Village of 2405 North Ithac NY 14850
Hono Lansing Triphamme a
rable r Road
Dr. James Johnston Family & 204 North Ithac NY 14850
Children's Cayuga a
Services Street
Mr. Jonathan Kanter Town Town of 126 East Ithac NY 14850
Planner Ithaca Seneca a
Street
Ms. Cynthia LaPier Director Boynton 1502 North Ithac NY 14850
of Middle Cayuga a
Informati School Street
on &
Instructio
nal
Technolo
gies
Mr. David Lehman Principal Alternative 111 Ithac NY 14850
Community Chestnut a
School Street
Ms. Joan Lent Noteboom Town Town of 126 East Ithac NY 14850
Clerk Ithaca Seneca a
Street
Mr. Robert Manvell Director Instruction Tompkins- 555 Ithac NY 14850
al Support Seneca- Warren a
Services Tioga Road
BOCES
Mr. Paul Mazzarella Executive Ithaca 115 West Ithac NY 14850
Director Neighborh Clinton a
Title FirstName LastName JobTitle Company Addressl Address2 City State PostalCode
ood Street
Housing
Services
Ms. Nina Miller Hospicare 172 East Ithac NY 14850
of King Road a
Tompkins
County
Ms. Barbara Mink Chairman Tompkins 614 North Ithac NY 14850
County Cayuga a
Board of Street
Represent
atives
Mr. Charles Nocera American 201 West Ithac NY 14850
Red Cross Clinton a
Street
Ms. Marjorie Olds Women's 100 West Ithac NY 14850
Community Seneca a
Building Street
Mr. Dan Pascone Better 100 West Ithac NY 14850
Housing Seneca a
for Street—
Tompkins Suite 200
County
Ms. Judith Pastel Superinte Ithaca City 400 Lake Ithac NY 14850
ndent School Road a
District
Mr. Anthony Pierantozzi Principal Boynton 1502 North Ithac NY 14850
Middle Cayuga a
School Street
Ms. Beth Redman Reconstruc 318 South P.O. Box Ithac NY 14850
Title FirstName LastName JobTitle Company Address'! Address2 City State PostalCode
tion Home Albany 6569 a
Street
Mr. Walter J. Relihan, Jr. Supreme Tompkins 320 North Ithac NY 14850
Court County Tioga a
Justice Court Street
House
The Phillip R. Rumsey Supreme Tompkins 320 North Ithac NY 14850
Hono Court County Tioga a
rable Justice Courthous Street
e
Ms. Lenore Schwager Finger Clinton 609 West Ithac NY 14850
Lakes West Plaza Clinton a
Independe — Suite 112 Street
nce Center
Mr. Roger Sibley Special 1052 Ithac NY 14850
Children's Wilkins a
Center Road
Ms. Susan Strauss High Ithaca City 1401 Ithac NY 14850
School School Cayuga a
Principal District Street
Ms. Mary Swasta Ithaca 800 South Ithac NY 14850
Housing Plain a
Authority Street
Com James Hanson Tompkins 121 East Ithac NY 14850
missi County Court a
ner Departmen Street
t of
Planning
Mr. Richard Erb County Tompkins 125 East Ithac NY 14850
Administr County Court a
Title FirstName LastName JobTitle Company Addressl Address2 City State PostalCode
ator Administrat Street
ors Office
Ms. Aurora Valenti County Tompkins 320 North Ithac NY 14850
Clerk County Tioga a
Clerk's Street
Office
Director League of 1007 Ithac NY 14850
- omen Tri ham
Voters r Road
k Mr. Bart Deluca Director Tomkins 201 East Ithac NY 14850
c County Green a
Departmen Street
t of Mental
Health
Ms. Alice Cole Director Tompkins 401 Dates Ithac NY 14850
County Drive a
Departmen
t of Public
Health
Mr. Bill Mobbs Superinte Tompkins 170 Ithac NY 14850
ndent County Bostwick a
Departmen Road
t of Public
Works
Mr. Bill Benjamin Criminal 125 East Ithac NY 14850
Justice Court a
Coordinat Street
or
Ms. Wendy Skinner Coordinat Office of Tompkin 125 East Ithac NY 14850
or Public County Court a
Title FirstName LastName JobTitle Company Address1 Address2 City State PostalCode
Information Administrat Street
ion
Mr. Greg Potter Acting Tompkins 128 East Ithac NY 14850
Director County Buffalo a
Information Street
Technolog
y Services
Mr. Brian Wilbur Chief Ithaca Fire 310 West Ithac NY 14850
Departmen Green a
t Street
Mr. Tom West Engineer Engineerin Departmen City Hall - Ithac NY 14850
g Division t of Public 108 East a
Works Green
Street
Ms. Marcia Fort Director Greater 318 North Ithac NY 14850
Ithaca Albany a
Activities Street
Center
Mr. Rick Eckstrom Commissi Building City Hall - Ithac NY 14850
oner Departmen 108 East a
t Green
Street
Ms. Julie Holcomb City Clerk City of City Hall - Ithac NY 14850
Ithaca 108 East a
Green
Street
Mr. Dominick Cafferillo City City of City Hall - Ithac NY 14850
Controller Ithaca 108 East a
Green
Street
Title FirstName LastName JobTitle Company Addressl Address2 City State PostalCode
Mr. Rick Basile Chief Ithaca 120 East Ithac NY 14850
Police Clinton a
Departmen Street
t
Mr. Samuel Cohen Director City of 1 James L. Ithac NY 14850
Ithaca Gibbs a
Youth Drive
Bureau
Mr. Larry Fabbroni Assistant City of 245 Pier Ithac NY 14850
Superinte Ithaca — Road a
ndent of Water &
Public Sewer
Works Division
Mr. Rick Ferrel Assistant City of 245 Pier Ithac NY 14850
Superinte Ithaca — Road a
ndent of Streets &
Public Facilities
Works Division
Mr. H. Matthys Van Cort Director Departmen City Hall - Ithac NY 14850
t of 108 East a
Planning & Green
Developme Street
nt
Ms. Schelley Michell- Director Departmen City Hall - Ithac NY 14850
Nunn t of Human 108 East a
Services Green
Street
Ms. Debra Parsons City City of City Hall - Ithac NY 14850
Chamberl Ithaca 108 East a
ain Green
Title FirstName LastName JobTitle Company Address1 Address2 City State PostalCode
Street
Ms. Jane Marsh City 201 Worth Ithac NY 14850
Dieckmann Historian Street a
Mr. Richard Kinne Systems City of City Hall - Ithac NY 14850
Manager Ithaca 108 East a
Green
Street
Judg John Sherman Tompkins 320 North Ithac NY 14850
e County Tioga a
Court Street
House
Mr. William Gray Superinte City of City Hall - Ithac NY 14850
ndent of Ithaca 108 East a
Public Green
Works Street
Ms. Mariette Geldenhuys City City of City Hall - Ithac NY 14850
Attorney Ithaca 108 East a
Green
Street
Mr. Jack Miller Coordinat Fire, 72 Brown Ithac NY 14850
or Disaster Road a
and EMS
Mr. Douglas Foster Systems City of City Hall - Ithac NY 14850
Informati Ithaca 108 East a
on Green
Manager Street
CITY OF ITHACA
108 East Green Street Ithaca,New York 14850-5690
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR • ALAN J.COHEN
I�.�Q Telephone 607/274-6501 Fax: 607/274-6526
December 2, 1998
Mr. Brent Cross
Village Engineer
Village of Cayuga Heights
836 Hanshaw Road
Ithaca, NY 14850
Dear Mr. Cross:
As you may already know, the Ithaca Area Cable Consortium is in the process of
negotiating the refranchising of cable franchises in our area(subject of course to final approval
by each municipality's legislative body). As part of this process, the Consortium is studying the
services and programming that the cable provider can and should offer local area residents,
institutions, and organizations in the future.
To help the Consortium assess institutional and organizational interests in local
programming,please complete the following questionnaire. The questionnaire requests
information concerning the communication needs of your organization and the potential of cable
services to meet those needs.
Rice, Williams Associates, a Washington, D.C. based consulting firm, is assisting the
Consortium in this process. Rice, Williams Associates has prepared the enclosed questionnaire.
Please take a few minutes to complete this survey and return the completed form in the
envelope provided. The information you provide will help the Consortium accurately measure
the community's needs.
Should you have any questions concerning the survey, please call Ms. Jeannie Lee at
607-274-6550, or Don Williams of Rice, Williams Associates at 202-737-2400.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Respectfully,
qa�
Alan J. Cohen
Mayor
Enclosures
'An Equal Opportunity Employer with an Affirmativc Action Program'
Brief Summary of Written Public Comments
for the Cable Refranchise
Written public comments were accepted from December 14, 1998 until February 2, 1999.
Written Comments Received: 141
* Occurrence: The number indicates the frequency of comments and not the number of written
comments received.
Occurrence* Subject Comments
10 Basic Service -basic service too much $
-can not get TV without cable
-include public broadcast stations WCNY Syracuse and
Binghamton
-include Weather Channel and C-SPAN 2
-a la carte option
-include History Channel
-object to recent basic service channel lineup—downgrading
-include SCOLA and NASA
-regret classic arts-NASA is discontinued
-current basic channel lineup is of low quality
4 a la carte
2 Other general -HDTV
services/ -be able to watch @ svhs quality and listen to dolbey surround
digital sound
-provide DVS Descriptive Video Services for the blind
3 Line Extension -route 96/haytes rd
Freeville
-Caroline from Don Barber, supervisor- lower density
threshold for cable extensions
4 Cable Radio -fix interruptions/connection hiccups
-able to downlink via satellite more NPR and PRI radio -
programs
-radio studio for local broadcasting with digital equipment
-maintain it and increase quality
-TW should publicize FM radio many people don't know about
it—include FM lineup in annual mailing.
4 Internet -connect all of the county to internet
Service -more public terminals with internet access
-The Varna Volunteer Fire Company would like to have access
to Road Runner at a lower cost then the commercial rate. TW
2/2/99 1
should provide lower Road Runner service to all the fire
stations in the county.
-Road Runner is too expensive—double other ISPs—why?
-install web enabled terminals at PEGASYS studio
3 Government -support it
Access -Municipal meetings are not repeated at advertised time.
-one of the most valuable channels—glad it is on basic
25 Public Access -support it
-more staff hours at PEGASYS
-portable equipment for Cornell campus groups
-upgrade equipment
-more portable units
-studio upgrade/enlargement
-encourage staff to spend more time on productions
-enforce studio regulations—zero tolerance for obscenity,
harassment ...
-free time for all political candidates
-better equipment maintenance and repair
-keep offensive material off access
-automated studios
-regional access
-web enabled terminals
-non-linear editing
-program guide for access shows
-do not support it
3 Education -Possible to air school broad meetings here or on government
Access access?
-educational training courses such as GED equivalent training
and college level courses.
-support it
1 General Access -require more access channels for Government, Education, and
Public
-establish per capita reinvestment
4 Channel 7 -support it
-keep weather bar running at all times
-production and ads are of low quality
1 Cable Box -use of box is not necessary when you have cable ready TV and
/Remote VCR
-use of box complicates the TV-VCR relationship—unable to
watch one channel while recording another channel
2/2/99 2
83 Spanish -at least two channels
Channel
3 SCOLA/other -support it
Languages and -French channel
Counties -include in basic
-Canadian channel
6 Livable Wage -livable wage for all Time Warner employees
8 Additional -Woman's Community Building—CLEAR foundation/Dal
I-NET Site (Durland Alternative Library)
-Temple Beth-El
-Town of Caroline—Don Barber, supervisor—connect all
schools, town halls,municipal buildings, and libraries in the
County
-Ecovillage
-First Unitarian Church of Ithaca
-line should be extended out
-CSMA would like a I-NET drop
3 Miscellaneous -provide BET Jazz and Movie Channels
-10 yr. franchise too long—make provisions to keep up with
changing technology
-bad reception due to snow on antenna
2/2/99 3