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Mounds View City Council September 25, 2017 <br />Regular Meeting Page 2 <br /> <br />MOTION/SECOND: Gunn/Hull. To Approve the Consent Agenda as presented. <br /> <br /> Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. <br /> <br />7. PUBLIC COMMENT <br /> <br />None. <br /> <br />8. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS <br /> A. Presentation from Ramsey Council Commissioner Mary Jo McGuire. <br /> <br />Ramsey County Commissioner Mary Jo McGuire was unable to attend the City Council meeting. <br /> <br />9. COUNCIL BUSINESS <br />A. 6:00 p.m. Public Hearing: Introduction and First Reading of Ordinance 937, <br />an Ordinance Granting a Cable Franchise to Comcast of Minnesota, Inc. <br /> <br />Finance Director Beer requested the Council hold a Public Hearing and introduce an Ordinance <br />that would grant a Cable Franchise to Comcast of Minnesota. He explained a Second Reading <br />would be held on October 9th where the Ordinance granting the Cable Franchise would be <br />approved. <br /> <br />Cor Wilson, Executive Director for CTV, provided the Council with a detailed summary of the <br />formal and informal negotiation efforts that occurred between CTV and Comcast. She stated she <br />was pleased to see that both parties had reached an agreement. She noted the term of this <br />franchise was 10 years and indicated franchise fees would continue at 5%. She explained CTV <br />would be paid through PEG fees by Comcast, but noted this amount was slated to be cut by 40%. <br />She reported the City of Mounds View would continue to receive complimentary cable services <br />from Comcast. Further discussion ensued regarding the changes that would occur through the <br />new franchise. <br /> <br />Council Member Bergeron asked what percentage of users had the universal services. Ms. <br />Wilson explained this was a very small percentage and noted only 400 users throughout the <br />franchise opted to have the universal services. <br /> <br />Council Member Bergeron understood that residents of Mounds View took advantage of the <br />local cable channels in order to view City Council meetings. <br /> <br />Council Member Meehlhause questioned if the universal services were free for one year and then <br />came at a cost after that time period. Ms. Wilson stated the universal channels were supposed to <br />be free indefinitely for cable subscribers. <br /> <br />Council Member Meehlhause asked how the new equipment would benefit the City of Mounds <br />View. Finance Director Beer explained the additional equipment would benefit City Hall and the <br />Community Center. Ms. Wilson discussed how the new Hi-Def channels could be utilized by the