North Suburban Communications Commission Begins Community Needs Assessment

The North Suburban Communications Commission will hold an informational meeting from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Thursday to begin a community needs assessment for renewing its cable TV franchise with Comcast in 2013.

The needs assessment will help the commission determine what community programming and cable service obligations ought to be included in renewed franchise agreements between Comcast and NSCC., according to  Dan Roe, commission president.   

The kick-off meeting is scheduled to be held at the new CTV North Suburbs/NSCC offices at at 2760 Arthur St., Roseville. 

The commission has hired Sue Buske of The Buske Group to lead the Thursday meeting, facilitate upcoming focus group meetings, conduct the needs assessment process, and prepare a report of the results, according to Roe, also mayor of Roseville:

The North Suburban Communications Commission serves the cities of Arden Hills Falcon Heights, Lauderdale, Little Canada, Mounds View New Brighton, North Oaks, Roseville, St. Anthony and Shoreview.

The following is the text of Roe's letter:

"Dear Friend of CTV North Suburbs:

The North Suburban Communications Commission, CTV North Suburbs and community media need your help.

We have an opportunity to plan for our future communications needs through the cable franchise renewal process, and we need your assistance and input at an informational meeting on July 21, 2011.

The current franchise agreement with Comcast expires in 2013 and NSCC has begun a process, required by law, to determine what community programming and cable service obligations ought to be included in renewed franchise agreements between Comcast and NSCC cities.

A major component of the franchise renewal process is the Community Needs Assessment. Information gathered from a broad cross section of residents, community organizations, schools and local government agencies will help determine the future Public-Educational-Government access resources, community and educational benefits, and broadband communication services to be provided by Comcast.

At this meeting on July 21, we will describe how you and your organization can benefit from the outcome of a renewed franchise. NSCC has retained Sue Buske of The Buske Group to lead the July 21st meeting, facilitate the upcoming focus group meetings, conduct the needs assessment process, and prepare a report of the results.

The participants in the upcoming meeting will include people like you who are community leaders and who live or work here and can assist the NSCC member cities by:

• Identifying people who could provide input at the focus group meetings in mid September.
• Encouraging attendance at the focus group meetings through follow-up contact and 
• Participating in a public hearing.

The focus groups will provide input from all segments of the community who have an interest in or are users of cable communication services.

We hope you can attend this introductory meeting from 3:00-4:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 21, in the new CTV North Suburbs/NSCC facilities at 2760 Arthur Street in Roseville.

If you cannot attend feel free to invite another individual from your group or organization to participate in this important meeting. If you have any questions or to confirm your attendance, please e-mail Cor Wilson at cwilson@ctv15.org or telephone 651-792-7512.

Sincerely,

Dan Roe Chair, NSCC President, CTV North Suburbs Board of Directors."