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Mounds View City Council October 23, 2000 Regular Meeting Page 8 may also be more visual clutter on the utility poles. These are all things the City needs to look at as the franchise application process goes forward. If the City were to grant the franchise today there would still be a two to five year time period before services would be available. State law requires that cable commissions advertise for franchises. The Commission advertised in May of 2000 and accepted two applications and fees. There is a $50,000 fee required when the application is submitted which covers costs and fees associated with verifying the legal, technical and financial qualifications of the applicant. In the early 1980’s cable companies came to town and promised many things that didn’t materialize once the contract was granted. Much time and energy are being expended on behalf of the Commission to ensure this does not happen with new cable providers. The attorney for the Commission is reviewing the legal, technical and financial qualifications of the applicants and is drafting a report to submit to the Commission for review. The attorney has told the Commission he should be able to provide a rough draft of a franchise document sometime in December. Council Member Stigney inquired as to whether the City could require any new utilities be placed underground. Ms. Wilson indicated that the City is required to “level the playing field” for newcomers and a newcomer may be able to claim the City is putting a hardship on them that the incumbent does not have as it is significantly more expensive to place utilities underground than it is to place them above ground. Council Member Quick also indicated residents may not appreciate having their backyards torn up to bury cables. Mayor Coughlin indicated Council passed the Right-of-Way Ordinance to allow the Council to have the opportunity to require utilities to go underground if it is determined that is best for the City. Mayor Coughlin noted there were several members of the Cable Commission in the audience and thanked them for their support of the executive director including Jerry Skelly who is the godfather or grandfather of Mounds View’s cable system. Mayor Coughlin noted the polling location for the November 7, 2000 general election is the Mounds View Community Center located on Edgewood Drive across from City Hall. Council Member Stigney indicated there would be a candidates’ forum on Tuesday, October 24, 2000 in Council Chambers that would also be rebroadcast on the cable channel throughout election time. 11. Next Council Work Session: Wednesday, November 8, 2000 – 6:00 P.M. Next Council Meeting: Monday, November 13, 2000 – 7:00 P.M.