TrueLens Community Media covers the Minnesota cities of Woodbury, Cottage Grove, St. Paul Park, Newport and Grey Cloud Island Township located in the southern portion of Washington County. Our award-winning production team specializes in creating videos, podcasts and social media content that is viewed on our local public, education, government (P.E.G) cable channels, YouTube and social media platforms.
The South Washington County Telecommunications Commission (SWCTC) is the governing board of directors that oversee TrueLens Community Media and is the cable television franchising authority. This is a Joint Powers Commission comprised of two commission directors and an alternate from each community. The Joint Powers Agreement delegates to the Commission all responsibilities for enforcement of the franchise, regulation of cable policies, coordination of transfers of ownerships, customer service inquiries and franchise renewals.
Our Beginnings
The cable franchise process started in 1981 with a series comprehensive study to determine community needs. Over a two-year period the Commission conducted need-based assessment surveys, formulated cable system specifications, and issued a request for proposal to the cable industry. In late 1983 the Commission accepted a bid proposal from Telephone and Data Services (TDS) and awarded them a 15-year franchise. Cable system construction began in the spring of 1984 and TDS began offering cable service soon thereafter. What started as a board of directors and a single employee has grown to a staff of seven full-time and five part-time employees that televise and stream city meetings, create local video and audio content, install and maintain technology and manage the cable franchise for our member cities.
Our Story
We serve as the community’s collective memory creating content that illuminates local voices, supports community engagement, and ensures transparent civic involvement. The TrueLens Community Media team creates stories about city government, local residents, and community activities. The video programming and information is presented on local cable channels 798, 799 and 859 on the cable TV system owned and operated by COMCAST.
Our Crew
TrueLens Community Media employs a full-time Executive Director, six full-time and five part-time employees.
