Minutes 12/08/1997 - Laserfiche WebLink

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MONDAY. DECEMBER 8. 1997 essentially only that portion of the rates having to do with Basic Cable Service. Basic service was described as essentially local broadcast channels, local lease channels, and local public, educational and governmental channels. Mr. Clower noted that there were both pros and cons to the idea of regulating Basic rates, stating that there would be the need to provide staff for the purpose, agree to adopt and administer regulations of the FCC, provide opportunity for public input, and demonstrate that there was no effective competition in the area with regard to the existing cable provider. It was noted that even if such regulatory authority was adopted and exercised, a very limited number of subscribers would be affected, since only 859 City and 392 County residents subscribe to just basic service. In addition, it was noted that the local rate for strictly basic service was currently in line with market rates. Councilmember Teague then provided a brief history of the franchise renewal process, which he characterized as lengthy and complicated to this point, stating that the subject of cable television was a difficult industry to understand. Consequently, Mr. Teague stated, the City and County had joined in August of 1994 to hire a professional consultant, who had done a comprehensive analysis of the Adelphia system and reported on this work in May of 1995. He went on to say that a Public Hearing process was 0penedwin September of 1995 in order to get public input, and that this information, along with input from City and County agencies and officials, was all used to formulate a list of negotiation priorities for the franchise discussions, as well as the creation of drat~ cable ordinance and franchise documents. Mr. Teague then said that extended negotiations and meetings had been carried out with Adelphia officials, 'along with a solicitation for proposals from other providers, all of which had resulted in the proposed Ordinance and Franchise documents before the Board and Council at this time. Deputy County Administrator Benny Summerfin next addressed the group, and reviewed the Negotiation Priorities of the City and 'County, which consisted of sixteen items within three categories, and Assistant City Manager Dewey Cashv~ell 'followed with a presentation of the Key Elements achieved through the negotiations to the present point. Mr. Cashwell noted that the great majority of City and County priorities had been achieved by the negotiatibn team, including a promised rebuild of the cable system, greater nu..mbe~s of channels, expanded programming, a more liberal rule on extension of service to. subscribers in te~nns 0~...t.~eir geographic location,