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HomeMy WebLinkAbout9 Streaming Board meetings Agenda Item # TRUCKEE O Public Utility District Workshop To: Board of Directors From: Alan Harry Date: January 9, 2007 Subject: Streaming Video of District Board meetings Why is this item before the Board? The Board has asked staff to investigate the possibility, and cost, of putting District Board meetings live on the internet. Background / Summary Following Board direction staff has looked into what it would take to place "live" TDPUD Board meetings on the internet so as to allow those not receiving television service through Suddenlink to have the opportunity to watch. Currently only those with the Suddenlink service can view meetings on the communities PEG channel, channel 6. New Information In order to place "live" audio and video on the internet a technology called "streaming" must be used. This technology requires specialized hardware (cameras, servers) and software. It is important to note that the small audio/video cameras used by many of us with our own personal computers will not work in this situation. We have also found that the District's existing video and audio equipment is not compatible with that needed for live streaming. As you know we currently utilize three video cameras and nine microphones, controlled by a audio board and video mixer, to create the signal that is the live carriage of TDPUD Board meetings seen on PEG channel 6. 0 Page 1 Streaming Video Thus, new audio and video equipment would be required to capture the signal. In addition a specialized server and streaming video software would be required to create the IP format signal that can then be viewed by PC's and Mac's pointing at the servers IP address. The estimated cost of the needed audio and video equipment, server and software is$19,000 not including installation. Recommendation Staff is not recommending any formal action at this time in that the cost of the equipment needed to provide "live" streaming video has not been included in the District's 2007 budget. We would however ask for Board direction as to whether or not we should include the funds necessary in our 2008 budget. • Page 2 Streaming Video WORKSHOP ITEMS 9. Discussion of streaming video of District Board meeting a. This item involves the possibility and cost of putting District Board meetings live on the internet. 10. Discussion of the 80`h Anniversary of the Truckee Donner Public Utility District a. This item involves what direction the Board would like to take for any type of celebration activities that may take place to celebrate its 80th birthday, May 27, 2007. 11. Discussion of the Telecommunications Customer Survey a. This item involves the survey results conducted by Satisfaction Development Systems. 12. Discussion regarding financial and operational reporting to the Board a. This item involves discussion of what types of information and reports the Board would like to see going forward. ROUTINE BUSINESS 13. Staff Reports ADJOURNMENT Note regarding agenda topics likely to come before the board during the next several months: • Discussion of the District's Web site. • Consideration of actions related to the District's broadband business plan. • Consideration of plans for construction of a new District corporation yard. • Discussion of a amending the water rate applicable to small dwelling units. • Discussion of developing a low income water and electric rate. • Discussion of the District's water revenue system. • Discussion of water meters. • Sale of surplus District land. • Discussion of bottling water. • Review Conflict of Interest Code language. • Review of electric engineers performing design work for developments. The agenda is available for review at the TDPUD office and the Truckee branch of the Nevada County Library Posted and mailed on January 12, 2007 Barbara Cahill, Deputy District Clerk A copy of the agenda packet is available for public review at the district administrative office: 11570 Donner Pass Rd. Public participation is encouraged. The meeting location is accessible to people with disabilities. Every reasonable effort will be made to accommodate participation of the disabled in all of the District's public meetings. If particular accommodations for the disabled are needed (i.e., disability-related aids, or other services), please contract the Clerk of the Board at(530)582- 3909,at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting. P.0. Box 309—Truckee,CA 96160—Phone 530-587-3896—www.tdaud.org January 17, 2007 From: Norm Nicholls To: TDPUD Manager and Board Members Sub : Broadband input To all who are concerned: Attached please find copies of responses to an email I sent out to approximately 100 clients over the weekend, in addition to the verbiage of my email. I expected more responses but the long weekend probably caused some to be too busy for responses. Unfortunately I cannot attend tonight's meeting so I am forwarding to you through your office. The consensus of those that replied was that their internet services are adequate as they are. There are also concerns as to the financial liability(if any)that the PUD and their customers would(could)be put in if the broadband idea goes forward. Thank you for your time and attention. Respectfully, _ Norm Nicholls 11061 Sitzmark Way Truckee, CA 96161 Cell(530)448-9339 Norm Nicholls _ �-- From: UNKRICKMARK[mark.unkrich@avagotech.com] g'O Sent: Tuesday, January 16, 2007 9:36 AM To: Norm Nicholls Subject: RE: Important Matter...Please Read Hi Norm, Thanks for the info. I have been passive on this. We do not use TV and only very occasional internet access which is fine for our limited usage through phone or other. The key missing data I do not see below, in the attachment, or on the TDPUD website is how the funding is passed along to the district, i.e. the $27 million required, and what the monthly rates may be. Also, in the Bay Area, we are able to receive very high bandwidth DSL, certainly over 3Mbps. These are being offered at discounted rates by SBC which are pretty good and have been dropping year-to-year as $/bps. The cost of the repeaters for the ISP is relatively low to increase the bandwidth if they are motivated and keep costs down. My bottom line is, we may be up there more some time in 4+ years and then will be interested in higher performance at a lower rate - does this deliver that. Generally, I am inclined to satellite TV over cable (less land failure dependencies) and wireless internet. The world is changing and broadband fiber may be the way to go, but it should be capable of tomorrow's bandwidth needs, not today's. I am not interested in any cable or internet for at least the next 4 years at our residence in Tahoe Donner, unless it were REALLY cheap, less than $15/month, since it would have such a part time usage on our part. I know that price point will not be available, however. Hope you are doing well and let's get some snow? Best, Mark Unkrich From: Norm Nicholls [m ilto:nnicholls@dicksontruckee.com] "ice: tdaq;? nuary 14, 2007 1:49 PM To: nnicholls@dicksonrealty.com Subject: Important Matter—Please Read To all my clients and friends: If you own property in the Truckee area, you should be aware that the Board of Directors for the Truckee Donner Public Utility District will be meeting this Wednesday, January 17, to go over a recent telephone survey on whether to proceed with placing broadband facilities in the TDPUD area. I have attached a Letter to the Editor (of the Sierra Sun) by an individual who is definitely against continuing towards the providing of broadband facilities. It is a good, short, synopsis of what has been going on. The original idea of broadband service included the PUD providing TV, Phone, and internet service. The latest proposal is to build a broadband facility network, and to lease or sell it to an outside entity or entities to use as they choose (i.e. TV, phone, internet, future technology). The belief by the staff and some of the board members is "if we build it, they will come." I am not totally convinced that is true. I have also attached an article, found on the PUD website ( www.tdpud.org ) explaining the PUD staff position.....two years ago! (I believe Eagle Broadband is still the company that has shown interest in being 1/16/2007 the area provider). For most of you, the broadband internet service would probably be the only broadband service you might use. Five years ago, when the studies began by the PUD, DSL was not available in most areas of Truckee, and the cable TV internet system was not yet up and running. Both are now available. The question, guess, that I want to ask you is: Whether the enhanced internet services that broadband offers, would be something that you "really" would like to have available; or whether, what you have is good enough, at least for now. We all know that"wireless" technology is going to grow and grow....probably in the foreseeable future. 1 attended the last meeting about 6 months ago that lead to the recent telephone survey. I was not contacted by the survey company, and I assume most of you were not. If you want to be heard, you may certainly do so by sending me a return email with a paragraph(s) explaining why you would like to see the PUD proceed, or not proceed. Or, you might simply send a sentence saying yes, or no. I will forward copies of your responses directly to the PUD prior to the meeting. You may prefer to contact the P.U.D. directly. Their phone number is (530) 587-3896. 1 was unable to find their email address on their website! Thanks for taking the time to support"your" position on this matter. What you think does matter and should be heard! Respectfully, Norm Norm Nicholls x Specializing in Truckee Area Real Estate Sales since 1984 Norm Nicholls Dickson Realty Truckee Realtor 11500 Donner Pass Road Truckee, CA 96161 tel: 530-550-5035 to nnicholls@dicksonrealty.com fax: 530-587-8064 www.truckeerealestate.com mobile: 530-448-9339(2 Add me to your address book... Want a signature like this? 1/16/2007 Norm Nicholls From: Fairbanks, Robert C [Robert_Fairbanks@apl.com] � , Sent: Wednesday, January 17, 2007 9:29 AM To: Norm Nicholls Subject: RE: Important Matter...Please Read Norm If I'm understand this correctly, why in the world would we as consumers want to sign up for a project costing us millions of dollars when, by the time it's implemented and in operation, the technology could very well be obsolete. Based upon our experience there are other quite capable entities out there who have and will continue to provide adequate services which will only improve as the technology improves. This time let's "Just Say NO"to proceeding with this proposal. Thanks Bob Fairbanks From: Norm Nicholls [mailto:nnicholls@dicksontruckee.com] Sent: Sunday,January 14, 2007 1:49 PM To: nnicholls@dicksonrealty.com Subject: Important Matter—Please Read To all my clients and friends: If you own property in the Truckee area, you should be aware that the Board of Directors for the Truckee Donner Public Utility District will be meeting this Wednesday, January 17, to go over a recent telephone survey on whether to proceed with placing broadband facilities in the TDPUD area. I have attached a Letter to the Editor (of the Sierra Sun) by an individual who is definitely against continuing towards the providing of broadband facilities. It is a good, short, synopsis of what has been going on. The original idea of broadband service included the PUD providing TV, Phone, and internet service. The latest proposal is to build a broadband facility network, and to lease or sell it to an outside entity or entities to use as they choose (i.e. TV, phone, internet, future technology). The belief by the staff and some of the board members is "if we build it, they will come." I am not totally convinced that is true. I have also attached an article, found on the PUD website ( www.tdr)ud.org ) explaining the PUD staff position.....two years ago! (I believe Eagle Broadband is still the company that has shown interest in being the area provider). For most of you, the broadband internet service would probably be the only broadband service you might use. Five years ago, when the studies began by the PUD, DSL was not available in most areas of Truckee, and the cable TV internet system was not yet up and running. Both are now available. The question, guess, that I want to ask you is: Whether the enhanced internet services that broadband offers, would be something that you "really" would like to have available; or whether, what you have is good enough, at least for now. We all know that "wireless" technology is going to grow and grow....probably in the foreseeable future. I attended the last meeting about 6 months ago that lead to the recent telephone survey. I was not contacted by the survey company, and I assume most of you were not. If you want to be heard, you may certainly do so by sending me a return email with a paragraph(s) explaining why you would like to see the PUD proceed, or not proceed. Or, you might simply send a sentence saying yes, or no. I will forward copies of your responses directly to the PUD prior to the meeting. You may prefer to contact the P.U.D. directly. Their phone number is (530) 587-3896. 1 was unable to find 1/17/2007 Norm Nicholls From: Marc Lamb [marclamb@hotmail.com] Sent: Tuesday, January 16, 2007 9:58 AM To: Norm Nicholls Subject: RE: Important Matter...Please Read D / � Hi Norm, Thanks for the fiber optics update. I'm still on the fence with this issue, though I'm always a bit leary of government entities getting involved in private industry sectors. A classic example is IVGID in Incline Village. The district constantly takes on high dollar projects without voter approval and their taxes are outrageous . . . . . enough to cause a citizens tax revolt and it's driving middle to even upper income families from the area. Here in Truckee, the competition may not be a bad thing. I'm on cable internet at home and the connection speeds typically run 2.7-2.9mgb/sec which is considered "very good" . . . . that said however, last weekend the internet cable service with Cebridge was partially down in Olympic Heights and multiple calls to customer service went UNANSWERED even with 20min. holds! ! Their customer service to say the least sucks! My main concerns are that the project will be spendy and the costs will invariably be past on to the constituents of the TDPUD, regardless if one chooses the service or not. I'm sure we'll get typical unmitigated taxes on our monthly bills under the guise of "expansion fees" ! ! I've called the TDPUD directly, but of course you get transferred to Allen who's head of telecommunications and is obviously going to be in favor of the expanded services. Government is all about more jobs! Regards, Marc Lamb >From: "Norm Nicholls" <nnicholls@dicksontruckee.com> >To: <nnicholls@dicksonrealty.com> >Subject: Important Matter. . .Please Read >Date: Sun, 14 Jan 2007 13:49:23 -0800 >To all my clients and friends: >If you own property in the Truckee area, you should be aware that the >Board of Directors for the Truckee Donner Public Utility District will >be meeting this Wednesday, January 17, to go over a recent telephone >survey on whether to proceed with placing broadband facilities in the >TDPUD area. >I have attached a Letter to the Editor (of the Sierra Sun) by an >individual who is definitely against continuing towards the providing >of broadband facilities. It is a good, short, synopsis of what has >been going on. The original idea of broadband service included the PUD >providing TV, Phone, and internet service. The latest proposal is to >build a broadband facility network, and to lease or sell it to an >outside entity or entities to use as they choose (i.e. TV, phone, 1 Norm Nicholls From: Steger Johnson [sjohnson@jcjj.net] Sent: Tuesday, January 16, 2007 9:27 AM / To: Norm Nicholls Subject: RE: Important Matter...Please Read Norm, Wireless technology is already here and definitely the wave of the future. I am totally opposed to the community spending money to invest in broadband infrastructure when those services are already available. We currently have wireless DSL through the telephone company and are completely satisfied with it. Investing in broadband is an idea whose time has passed. I will not be able to attend the Truckee Donner Public Utility District meeting on Wednesday, January 17, but would appreciate it if you would pass along my opposition to this proposal. Thank you. Steger P. Johnson JONES, CLIFFORD, JOHNSON &JOHNSON, LLP 100 Van Ness Avenue, 19th Floor San Francisco, CA 94102 Phone: (415)431-5310 Fax: (415)431-2266 From: Norm Nicholls [mailto:nnicholls@dicksontruckee.com] Sent: Sunday,January 14, 2007 1:49 PM To: nnicholls@dicksonrealty.com Subject: Important Matter—Please Read To all my clients and friends: If you own property in the Truckee area, you should be aware that the Board of Directors for the Truckee Donner Public Utility District will be meeting this Wednesday, January 17, to go over a recent telephone survey on whether to proceed with placing broadband facilities in the TDPUD area, have attached a Letter to the Editor (of the Sierra Sun) by an individual who is definitely against continuing towards the providing of broadband facilities. It is a good, short, synopsis of what has been going on. The original idea of broadband service included the PUD providing TV, Phone, and internet service. The latest proposal is to build a broadband facility network, and to lease or sell it to an outside entity or entities to use as they choose (i.e. TV, phone, internet, future technology). The belief by the staff and some of the board members is "if we build it, they will come." I am not totally convinced that is true. have also attached an article, found on the PUD website ( www.tud.or_g_ ) explaining the PUD staff position.....two years ago! (I believe Eagle Broadband is still the company that has shown interest in being the area provider). For most of you, the broadband internet service would probably be the only broadband service you might use. Five years ago, when the studies began by the PUD, DSL was not available in most areas of Truckee, and the cable TV internet system was not yet up and running. Both are now available. The question, guess, that I want to ask you is: Whether the enhanced internet services that broadband offers, would be something that you "really" would like to have available; or whether, what you have is good enough, at least for now. We all know that "wireless" technology is going to grow and grow....probably in the foreseeable future. attended the last meeting about 6 months ago that lead to the recent telephone survey. I was not contacted by the survey company, and I assume most of you were not. If you want to be heard, you may certainly do so by sending me a return email with a paragraph(s) explaining why you would like to see the PUD proceed, 1/16/2007 Norm Nicholls From: Herb Green [herbertjgreen@yahoo.com] Sent: Sunday, January 14, 2007 5:23 PM To: Norm Nicholls Subject: Re: Important Matter...Please Read no, I do not support the PUD in pursuing another Broadband facility for the Tahoe area. herb green --- Norm Nicholls <nnicholls@dicksontruckee.com> wrote: > To all my clients and friends: > If you own property in the Truckee area, you should be aware that the > Board of Directors for the Truckee Donner Public Utility District will > be meeting this Wednesday, January 17, to go over a recent telephone > survey on whether to proceed with placing broadband facilities in the > TDPUD area. > I have attached a Letter to the Editor (of the Sierra Sun) by an > individual who is definitely against continuing towards the providing > of broadband facilities. It is a good, short, synopsis of what has > been going on. The original idea of broadband service included the > PUD providing TV, Phone, and internet service. The latest proposal is > to build a broadband facility network, and to lease or sell it to an > outside entity or entities to use as they choose (i.e. TV, phone, > internet, future technology) . The belief by the staff and some of the > board members is "if we build it, they will come." > I am not totally > convinced that is true. > I have also attached an article, found on the PUD website > www.tdpud.org ) explaining the PUD staff position. . . . .two years ago! > (I believe Eagle Broadband is still the company that has shown > interest in being the area provider) . > For most of you, the broadband internet service would probably be the > only broadband service you might use. Five years ago, when the > studies began by the PUD, DSL was not available in most areas of > Truckee, and the cable TV internet system was not yet up and running. > Both are now available. The question, I guess, that I want to ask you > is: Whether the enhanced internet services that broadband offers, > would be something that you "really" would like to have available; or > whether, what you have is good enough, at least for now. We all know > that "wireless" > technology is going to grow and grow. . . .probably in the foreseeable > future. > I attended the last meeting about 6 months ago that lead to the recent > telephone survey. I was not contacted by the survey company, and I > assume most of you were not. If you want to be heard, you may > certainly do so by sending me a return email with a > paragraph(s) explaining why > you would like to see the PUD proceed, or not proceed. Or, you might > simply send a sentence saying yes, or no. I will forward copies of > your responses directly to the PUD prior to the meeting. > You may prefer to contact the P.U.D. directly. > Their phone number is > (530) 587-3896. I was unable to find their email address on their > website! i Norm Nicholls From: Chris Nelson [nelson9025@sbcglobal.net] Sent: Sunday, January 14, 2007 8:21 PM / P To: Norm NichollsNv Subject: RE: Important Matter...Please Read Norm, you have a no from Chris Nelson. I believe it is too expensive, too little, and too late. From: Norm Nicholls [mailto:nnicholls@dicksontruckee.com] Sent: Sunday,January 14, 2007 1:49 PM To: nnicholls@dicksonrealty.com Subject: Important Matter...Please Read To all my clients and friends: If you own property in the Truckee area, you should be aware that the Board of Directors for the Truckee Donner Public Utility District will be meeting this Wednesday, January 17, to go over a recent telephone survey on whether to proceed with placing broadband facilities in the TDPUD area. I have attached a Letter to the Editor (of the Sierra Sun) by an individual who is definitely against continuing towards the providing of broadband facilities. It is a good, short, synopsis of what has been going on. The original idea of broadband service included the PUD providing TV, Phone, and internet service. The latest proposal is to build a broadband facility network, and to lease or sell it to an outside entity or entities to use as they choose (i.e. TV, phone, internet, future technology). The belief by the staff and some of the board members is "if we build it, they will come." I am not totally convinced that is true. have also attached an article, found on the PUD website ( www.tdpud.org ) explaining the PUD staff position.....two years ago! (1 believe Eagle Broadband is still the company that has shown interest in being the area provider). For most of you, the broadband internet service would probably be the only broadband service you might use. Five years ago, when the studies began by the PUD, DSL was not available in most areas of Truckee, and the cable TV internet system was not yet up and running. Both are now available. The question, I guess, that I want to ask you is: Whether the enhanced internet services that broadband offers, would be something that you "really" would like to have available; or whether, what you have is good enough, at least for now. We all know that "wireless" technology is going to grow and grow....probably in the foreseeable future. I attended the last meeting about 6 months ago that lead to the recent telephone survey. I was not contacted by the survey company, and 1 assume most of you were not. If you want to be heard, you may certainly do so by sending me a return email with a paragraph(s) explaining why you would like to see the PUD proceed, or not proceed. Or, you might simply send a sentence saying yes, or no. I will forward copies of your responses directly to the PUD prior to the meeting. You may prefer to contact the P.U.D. directly. Their phone number is (530) 587-3896. 1 was unable to find their email address on their website! Thanks for taking the time to support "your" position on this matter. What you think does matter and should be heard! Respectfully, 1/15/2007 Norm Nicholls111 From: Donald Jones[dejone3@yahoo.com] Sent: Sunday, January 14, 2007 8:16 PM To: Norm Nicholls �V Subject: Re: Important Matter...Please Read Norm- If I were asked to vote wheether to spend any dollars on a public broad band service, I would definitley vote " No ". Don Jones Norm Nicholls<nnicholls@dicksontruckee-com>wrote: To all my clients and friends: If you own property in the Truckee area, you should be aware that the Board of Directors for the Truckee Donner Public Utility District will be meeting this Wednesday, January 17, to go over a recent telephone survey on whether to proceed with placing broadband facilities in the TDPUD area. have attached a Letter to the Editor (of the Sierra Sun) by an individual who is definitely against continuing towards the providing of broadband facilities. It is a good, short, synopsis of what has been going on. The original idea of broadband service included the PUD providing TV, Phone, and internet service. The latest proposal is to build a broadband facility network, and to lease or sell it to an outside entity or entities to use as they choose (i.e. TV, phone, internet, future technology). The belief by the staff and some of the board members is "if we build it, they will come." I am not totally convinced that is true. have also attached an article, found on the PUD website ( www. dpud org ) explaining the PUD staff position.....two years ago! (I believe Eagle Broadband is still the company that has shown interest in being the area provider). For most of you, the broadband internet service would probably be the only broadband service you might use. Five years ago, when the studies began by the PUD, DSL was not available in most areas of Truckee, and the cable TV internet system was not yet up and running. Both are now available. The question, I guess, that I want to ask you is: Whether the enhanced internet services that broadband offers, would be something that you "really" would like to have available; or whether, what you have is good enough, at least for now. We all know that "wireless" technology is going to grow and grow....probably in the foreseeable future. attended the last meeting about 6 months ago that lead to the recent telephone survey. I was not contacted by the survey company, and I assume most of you were not. If you want to be heard, you may certainly do so by sending me a return email with a paragraph(s) explaining why you would like to see the PUD proceed, or not proceed. Or, you might simply send a sentence saying yes, or no. ] will forward copies of your responses directly to the PUD prior to the meeting. You may prefer to contact the P.U.D. directly. Their phone number is (530) 587-3896. 1 was unable to find their email address on their website! Thanks for taking the time to support "your" position on this matter. What you think does matter and should be heard! Respectfully, 1/15/2007 Norm Nicholls From: Keith Fischer[ksfisch@pacbell.net] Sent: Sunday, January 14, 2007 8:36 PM � To: Norm Nicholls Subject: Re: Important Matter...Please Read Hi Norm, Thanks for the update. I always appreciate receiving the info you send. I've not been contacted by the survey company, nor had an opportunity to voice my opinion on the subject. For some time now, I've felt that TDPUD should no longer pursue providing broadband services to it's customers. Five years ago, high-speed Internet services weren't generally available in Tahoe Donner and Truckee. But today, cable and DSL both are available, reasonably priced and reasonably reliable. I've personally had DSL service for over 2 years, and find it reliable and adequate for all my current high-speed Internet connection needs, including tele-commuting. In short, I think the window of opportunity for TDPUD's proposal has well passed, and it should be dropped. Feel free to add my name to the "no" votes. Keith Fischer At 01:49 PM 1/14/2007,you wrote: To all my clients and friends: If you own property in the Truckee area, you should be aware that the Board of Directors for the Truckee Donner Public Utility District will be meeting this Wednesday, January 17, to go over a recent telephone survey on whether to proceed with placing broadband facilities in the TDPUD area. I have attached a Letter to the Editor (of the Sierra Sun) by an individual who is definitely against continuing towards the providing of broadband facilities. It is a good, short, synopsis of what has been going on. The original idea of broadband service included the PUD providing TV, Phone, and internet service. The latest proposal is to build a broadband facility network, and to lease or sell it to an outside entity or entities to use as they choose (i.e. TV, phone, internet, future technology). The belief by the staff and some of the board members is "if we build it, they will come." I am not totally convinced that is true. have also attached an article, found on the PUD website ( www.td[)ud.org ) explaining the PUD staff position.....two years ago! (I believe Eagle Broadband is still the company that has shown interest in being the area provider). For most of you, the broadband internet service would probably be the only broadband service you might use. Five years ago, when the studies began by the PUD, DSL was not available in most areas of Truckee, and the cable TV internet system was not yet up and running. Both are now available. The question, I guess, that I want to ask you is: Whether the enhanced internet services that broadband offers, would be something that you "really" would like to have available; or whether, what you have is good enough, at least for now. We all know that "wireless" 1/15/2007