06-24-98 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES CITY COUNCIL JUNE 24, 1998 CABLE TV Coralie Wilson, Executive Director of the Noith Suburban Cable FRANCfIISE Commission, appeared before the Council to discuss the renewal of the AGREEMENT City's Cable TV Franchise Agreement. Wilson provided the Council with some history on the franchise lgreement renewal process, transfer of ownership, and various negotiations which have occw red over the past 3'/z years. Wilson reported th2t the current cable system is maxed out and as part ofthe franchise renewal, Medi1 One will be upgradin~ the system to a state-of-the-art 750 megahurst system. (n lddition to the upgraded system, Media One will conti~~ue to support community television as well as provide an institutional networl<. Wilson reported that a(1 ten-member cities are currenYly considering the fi~anchise renewal. The current fi~anchise agreement for Little C1n1da has been extended to July 20°i. Wilson pointed out previous discussion by the Council about underground construction. Wilson pointed out that the Little Canada l~as in plaee a rights-of-way ordinance, while some of the member cities do not. As a result, the franchise renewal inciudes langua~e on the undergrounding of new construction. Wilson indicated that undergroundin~ is 1 serious policy issue for the City to consider, and pointed out thlt it has 1 mljor impact on communities given that undergrow~ding can be very disruptive. Wilson also pointed out that there are some misconceptions about the upgrading of the current cable TV system, and poinced out that the upgrades will not require new construction. Fahey asked what will hlppen if the existina piant is abandoned indicaYin~ that it was not acceptable to l~im to leave abancloned cables up. Fahey felt that all aUandoned cables should be removed. Wilson indicated that Medi~ One does not plan on abandonin~ any plant, and have indicated that all existing plant will be used. There will be some optic fiber installed; however, existing coaxill cable will be necessary to brin~ service inCo homes. The Deputy Clerk repo~-ted that at franchise renewa( committee meetings she asked representatives of Media One their pllns for abandoned coaxial cable. Media Oi~e's response was that it was their intention to leave abandoned cable both lbove and below ground given the cost and disruption to remove it. Above ground caUle would be used to support the fiber optic cable th~t would be installed. John Gibbs, atYorney represei~ting Media One, congratulated the City on its foresi~ht injoining with nine other cities to manage its cable TV franchise. Gibbs also iudicated tliat as a result, Little Canada has a eable 12