Minutes - 2014/06/09 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mounds View City Council June 9, 2014 Regular Meeting Page 4 Assistant City Administrator Crane stated Mounds View has been a part of Twin Cities Gateway since 2009. She noted the nine member cities received grants on an annual basis based on the percentage of lodging taxes collected from the previous year. The grant awarded to the City of Mounds View would be passed along to the Festival in the Park and totaled $6,512. Staff recommended the Council accept the Twin Cities Gateway 2014 Member City Marketing Grant. Mayor Flaherty was pleased that the grant amount awarded to the City each year was on the rise. He saw this as a positive sign for the economy. MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Mueller. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 8268, Accepting the Twin Cities Gateway 2014 Member City Marketing Grant. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. E. Resolution 8267, Preliminary Assessment that the Comcast of Minnesota, Inc. Cable Franchise Should Not be Renewed. City Administrator Ericson stated the Comcast Cable Franchise was discussed at length by the Council at a previous worksession meeting. He indicated documentation between NSCC and Comcast has also been reviewed. He explained that NSCC was recommending the City not renew the Comcast Cable Franchise at this time. A response was needed from the City of Mounds View by June 20th. He noted Cor Wilson from NSCC, along with representatives from Comcast were present this evening. Cor Wilson, NSCC, discussed the formal negotiation process that has been pursued by NSCC with Comcast through federal law. She indicated the proposed cable franchise from Comcast did not meet the needs of the member communities. The shortcomings within the contract were discussed at length. It was noted the number of channels would be reduced and only one HD channel would be offered. She recommended preliminary denial of the cable franchise. Her hope would be to formalize a contract with Comcast on an informal basis. Mayor Flaherty understood the public cable channels would be reduced from eight to four. He questioned how this reduction would impact the member cities. Ms. Wilson explained the school districts used these channels for a great deal of programming, along with the cities. She explained that each school district had their own channel at this time. She indicated the proposed cutbacks would put a great deal of pressure on the City and school programming. She reported that as more and more homeowners purchase HD televisions, the three SD channels that Comcast was proposing to provide would be subpar. Mayor Flaherty requested further information regarding the proposed connection fees. Ms. Wilson stated the City of Mounds View would be charged $1,675.80 per month for each non- data connections to the Comcast network. She estimated that the City would pay $3,350.00 per month for access to the local channels at City Hall and the Community Center. Mayor Flaherty asked for additional information on the PEG fees. Ms. Wilson explained the