02-09-11 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES CITY COUNCIL FEBRUARY 9, 2011 CITY SURVEY Montour also explained that Little Canada has a Cable TV Fund that is supported by the franchise fee. That fund is used to support the City's government channel. He noted that some cities direct their franchise fees into their general funds or to reduce property taxes. Montour anticipated that the 2013 franchise renewal may result in a lower franchise fee or none at all. In that case, the City will have to determine how to support its cable channel going forward. Montour also noted that Comcast is a large national company, and Little Canada's joining with ten other cities to negotiate a cable franchise, gives these cities more negotiating power. The City Administrator indicated the I -net will be a big issue in the renegotiation of the cable franchise. He pointed out the efforts that the City of Roseville is making to build out a system that will support itself as well as surrounding cities in the event that Comcast seeks to charge cities for I -net access. There was also discussion relative to the FCC's regulation of cable as well as discussion that there is a state -wide franchising of cable services. Mr. Montour introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption: RESOLUTION NO. 2011 -2 -37 ADOPTING A RESOLUTION CONCERNING THE COMMENCEMENT OF FORMAL RENEWAL PROCEEDINGS UNDER THE FEDERAL CABLE COMMUNICATIONS POLICY ACT OF 1984, AS AMENDED, DESIGNATING THE NORTH SUBURBAN CABLE COMMISSION WITH AUTHORITY TO RENEGOTIATE THE CABLE TV FRANCHISE AGREEMENT ON BEHALF OF LITTLE CANADA The foregoing resolution was duly seconded by Keis. Ayes (5). Nays (0). Resolution declared adopted. The City Administrator reported that one of the top goals identified at the 2011 Goal Setting Session was to conduct a community survey to evaluate community support for tax increases and /or service reductions. The Administrator reported that in order to be of value for the 2012 budgeting process, work would have to begin on the survey fairly soon. The Administrator presented a proposal from Decision Resources to conduct a survey, noting that the base cost is $12,500 for a 50 -unit question survey, with each additional question unit at $135. The City has 4