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II/Ay of Report Number 13-180 �Z Agenda Section VI-5 the, city that works for you Council Meeting Date July 23,2013 REQUEST FOR COUNCIL CONSIDERATION ITEM DESCRIPTION: Resolution Extending the Term of the Cable Television Franchise Ordinance and Agreement Held by Comcast of Minnesota, INC. through November 23,2014 DEPARTMENT HEAD'S APPROVAL: Dean R. Lotter, City Manager CITY MANAGER'S APPROVAL: No comments to supplement this report Comments attached Recommendation: City Council approval of a resolution extending the term of the cable television franchise ordinance and agreement held by Comcast of Minnesota, INC. through November 23, 2014 Legislative History: At a special meeting of the North Suburban Communications Commission on July 11, the Commissioners accepted a recommendation of the Franchise Renewal Committee to recommend a one-year extension of the cable franchises to our member cities. Because of the complexity of the franchise renewal process and negotiations, franchise extensions are common during these types of negotiations. Although the cable franchises for the member North Suburban Cable Commission are set to expire in October or November 2013, preparation of the Request for Renewal Proposal (RFRP) and associated documents has taken longer than anticipated, and the renewal proposal will likely not be sent to Comcast until later in July or early August. Initially, the North Suburban Cable Commission considered a six-month extension; however, when the Commission developed a timeline for the formal renewal process that included, at Comcast's request,up to four months for the company to respond to the RFRP and, according to the federal renewal regulations, up to four months for the Commission to review and make a recommendation on the proposal, it became apparent that a six month extension would not be sufficient to complete the formal renewal process. Comcast agreed with the Cable Commissions recommendation for a 12-month extension of the franchises. Comcast has reviewed the proposed extension agreement and have deemed it acceptable. The North Suburban Cable Commission is still very hopeful that franchise renewal negotiations will conclude well before the end of this extension. Dean R. Lotter City Manager I:\COUNCIL'REPORTS\2013\Administration\Resolution Extending the Cable Franchise Agreement with Comcast-July 2013.doc