Laserfiche WebLink
COUNCIL MINUTES January 12, 2015 <br />DRAFT <br />46 December 15, 2014 City Council Minutes Approved <br />47 <br />48 December 29, 2014 Special Council Meeting Minutes Approved <br />49 <br />50 Application of Aquinas Roman Catholic Home Education <br />51 Services for Excluded Bingo Permit Approved <br />52 <br />53 FINANCE DEPARTMENT REPORT <br />54 <br />55 There was no report from the Finance Department. <br />56 <br />57 ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT REPORT <br />58 <br />59 3A) Cable Television Franchise Agreement: <br />60 i. Resolution No. 15-01, Granting Consent to Transfer Cable TV Franchise from <br />61 Comcast to Greatland Connections; <br />62 ii. Ordinance No. 01-15, Approving Cable Television Franchise Ordinance <br />63 Amendment <br />64 <br />65 City Administrator Karlson noted that the council discussed this franchise transfer and franchise <br />66 extension request at the recent work session. He introduced Mike Bradley, attorney for North Metro <br />67 TV to review the proposed amendment and agreement. <br />68 <br />69 Mr. Bradley gave some background on the city's franchise for television services that is set to expire <br />70 in three years. The franchise holder, Comcast, applied to transfer the franchise to another company, <br />71 Greatland Connections. He explained that, as a result of that request, this became a good time to look <br />72 at any issues with the franchise agreement. He has worked with Comcast to address issues and has <br />73 negotiated the following terms to be included in the agreement for a transfer and extending the <br />74 franchise: <br />75 The franchise agreement will be extended an additional three years; <br />76 - __, Extension of a Memorandum of Understanding that continues the provision of financial <br />77 support to North Metro Telecommunications Commission (NMTC); <br />78 Provision of HD channel(s); <br />79 - Access to a programming guide across multiple platfouus; <br />80 - A refund related to a franchise fee underpayment; <br />81 Complimentary drops and outlets for municipal locations; <br />82 A small refund to cable subscribers; <br />83 - Payment of all legal fees. <br />84 <br />85 Mr. Bradley reviewed the requested action of approving a transfer of the franchise through resolution <br />86 and first reading of an ordinance that amends the city's franchise by the extension noted. <br />87 <br />88 The council discussed the role of the City in denying or supporting the transfer. Mr. Bradley <br />89 explained that this involves a very large scale business deal with many cities and subscribers <br />90 involved. Mayor Reinert confirmed the future owner of the city's franchise. <br />2 <br />