RES 14-038 Comcast Cable Franchise Not being Renewed

Home Browse Search

staff prepared a "Request for Renewal Proposal for Cable Television Franchise" ("RFRP") that summarizes the Member Cities' and their communities' present and future cable -related needs and interests, establishes requirements for facilities, equipment and channel capacity on Comcast's cable system and includes model provisions for satisfying those requirements and cable -related needs and interests; and WHEREAS, pursuant to Resolution No. 2013-04, the Commission authorized its Executive Committee, Franchise Renewal Committee, Commission staff and/or Commission designee(s) to take all steps and actions necessary to implement, conduct and engage in the entire formal franchise renewal process set forth in Section 626(a) -(g) of the Cable Act, 47 U.S.C. § 546(a) -(g), and to comply with any and all related federal, state and local laws, regulations, ordinances, orders, decisions and agreements; and WHEREAS, the Commission's delegation of authority to the Franchise Renewal Committee includes, but is not limited to, the issuance of a staff report and RFRP and the establishment of appropriate deadlines for questions and Comcast's RFRP response; and WHEREAS, in accordance with the authority delegated by the Commission, the Franchise Renewal Committee, by resolution, terminated the Section 626(a) proceedings required by the Cable Act on July 26, 2013, issued the Staff Report and RFRP to Comcast, effective July 29, 2013, and instructed Commission staff to deliver the Staff Report and RFRP to Comcast no later than July 30, 2013; and WHEREAS, the Staff Report and RFRP was delivered to Comcast on July 29, 2013; and WHEREAS, the Commission ratified the issuance of the Staff Report and RFRP by the Franchise Renewal Committee at its August 2013 meeting; and WHEREAS, the Commission and Comcast engaged in informal renewal negotiations pursuant to 47 U.S.C. § 546(h) but are currently unable to arrive at mutually acceptable terms, although informal discussions are ongoing; and WHEREAS, the Commission established November 22, 2013, as a deadline for Comcast's response to the Staff Report and RFRP; and WHEREAS, the Commission and Comcast agreed to extend certain deadlines including the deadline for Comcast to respond to the Staff Report and RFRP and the deadline set forth in 47 U.S.C. 546(c) for the Commission and the Member Cities to accept or preliminarily deny the Comcast Proposal; and WHEREAS, on or about December 20, 2013, Comcast submitted to the Commission its Formal Proposal in response to the Staff Report and RFRP ("Proposal"); and WHEREAS, the Commission published a notice notifying the public that Comcast's Proposal has been received and was placed on file for public inspection in the Commission's office, and that written public comments may be submitted to the Commission; and 3