01-14-1992 Cable TV Workshop MeetingMIAMI SHORES VILLAGE
CABLE TV WORKSHOP
JANUARY 14, 1992
The Cable TV Workshop of the Miami Shores Village
Council was held on Tuesday, January 14, 1992, at the Miami
Shores Village Hall commencing at 7:35 p.m. with the
following members present:
Mayor Johnson
Henry T. Courtney
Herb Spahn
Stephen Loffredo
Robert Cook
Also present: Gall Macdonald
William F. Fann
ITEM *1 DISCUSSION REGARDING MIAMI SHORES OPERATION OF CABLE
TV. Ms. Macdonald Introduced the agenda Item and reviewed the
history of cable television (CATV) in Nicevllle, Florida. She
Introduced Mr. John Salak, Protect Manager for Integrated
Microcomputer Systems, Inc. Mr. Salak reviewed the experience
and background of his firm. He also presented a video tape
about the situation In Nlceville. Mr. Salak reviewed the
advantages of city owned CATV systems including:
* Community regains control of service quality and
delivery.
* New revenue source
* Integration with other city utilities
* Ancillary services from automated two-way systems
* Improved emergency communications
Mr. Salak described the parts of a CATV system including:
antenna (satellite dish)
headend (converter)
amplifiers, power supplies and cable
Mayor Johnson asked about the total number of channels that
would be available. Mr. Salak responded up to 78 channels.
Mayor Johnson asked how many municipally owned systems exist at
this time. Mr. Salak stated 6. Mr. Loffredo asked about the
cost of the Nicevllle system and how many subscribers they have.
Mr. Salak responded 1.8 million dollars with 1600 subscribers.
Mr. Spahn asked how a city can compete with an existing CATV
provider. Mr. Salak replied with price and number of services
and channels. Mr. Loffredo asked how many personnel are
required for a 1600 subscriber system. Mr. Salak responded 2
people. Ms. Macdonald asked about the time of construction.
Mr. Salak responded 4 months. Mayor Johnson asked about the
space required. Mr. Salak replied 1 room, a tower and space for
2-3 satellite dishes. Mr. Courtney asked why aren't more
municipalities building their own system. Mr. Salak stated that
they were waiting for the Nicevllle decision. Mr. Cook asked
about programming costs. Mr. Salak replied $3.20 per subscriber
In Nlceville and the cost for the headend Is $250,000. Mr. Cook
asked about sharing expenses and expanding to other communities.
Mr. Salak responded that there were no limitations. Mr. Salak
reviewed and explained the specific figures for the construction
of the NIceville system. Mr. Spahn asked about the annual
operating costs. Mr. Salak responded that at the NIceville
level of 1600 subscribers the cost would be $500,000 to $600,000
per year. Mr. Loffredo asked what would be the basic cable
charge to the subscribers. Mr. Salak responded that in
NIceville the charge is $14.95 per month. Mr. Loffredo asked
what the time frame is from Council decision to installation.
Mr. Salak replied approximately 1 year. Mr. Courtney inquired
about censorship and how has it been handled. Mr. Salak
responded that In NIceville programming Is handled by a city
board. Mr. Cook stated that what was Important was increasing
revenue without increasing property taxes. Mr. Loffredo stated
that programming Is very important to generate community
Interest and spirit.
ITEM *2 ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 9:25 p.m.
Steven JO'hrr= on
Mayor
Attest: Gail Macdonald
Village Clerk
By:
Scott W. Davis
Deputy Village Clerk