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MzNUrEs <br />City Council <br />October 14, 1981 <br />Cable TV Mr. Don 7arnowski appeared before the Council. Mr. Tarnowski stated <br />that four companies have made proposa1s on Cable TV. There will be <br />from 38 to 117 channels of cable available. The Cable TV Commission <br />has requested a universa7 tier of service with 12 to 20 channels <br />to be free-of-charge. <br />Mrs. Nardini asked if the City wants to have 117 channels available. <br />Mr. Tarnowski stated that most of these channels will not be activited <br />to begin with. Tt~e Commission has requested proposals on 35 channels <br />or asked what the company offered. <br />Mrs. Scalze asked if the City was not happy with the service from the <br />cable TV company, if it had the option to change. Mr. Tarnowski stated <br />that the term the City would be committed to would be 15 years. This <br />would allow the company to recoup its initial investment. However, <br />as the company would be coming in for rate increases, that would be <br />the time that the City could renegotiate with the company. <br />The Flttorney asked if the cable would remain the property of the company. <br />Mr. Tarnowski replied that it would. If the City changed companies after <br />the 15 term were up, that company wou7d purchase the cable from the <br />first company. <br />The Attorney asked if a special TV were needed to pick up cable. Mr. <br />Tarnowski stated that any TV would have the capability to pick up cable. <br />A small device the size of a hand calculator and a converter installed <br />on the house would be needed to pick up cable. <br />Mr. Tarnowski stated that the cost to the homeowner would be $25.00 <br />approximately. This would be a one-time cost. However, additional <br />tiers of service would cost more money. Mr. Tarnowski also stated <br />that the companies hold promotions, and, therefore, the cost could <br />be less than the $25.00< <br />Mr. Tarnowski stated that the Commission is looking for the best <br />possible service for the entire area. Mrs. Nardini askecl how many <br />votes Little Canada has on the commission. Mr. Tarnowski stated that <br />Little Canada has two votes. Number of votes is determined by <br />population. <br />Council discussed with Mr. Tarnowski the amount of time he has spent <br />on this subject without any compensation from the City. Mr. Tarnowski <br />stated that about the first of the year he will present the City with <br />a schedule for compensation. <br />Mrs. Nardini asked if a board of directors will be formed and how <br />many members it will have. <br />Mr. Tarnowski replied that this is being worked on now> and he will <br />be br9nging in a proposal in the near future. <br />Mr. Tarnowski st~ted that they anticipate choosing a company around <br />the first of the year. Consultants have been hired to do an evaluation <br />on the four proposals. <br />Page -6- <br />