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June 10, 2014 <br />5 Ayes,0 Nays-Motion Can'ied <br />Council Business <br />1. Consideration of a Resolution Supporting Preliminary Assessment that Comcast <br />of Minnesota, Inc. Cable Franchise Renewal Should Not/Should be Renewed. <br />ReportNo. 14-155. <br />City Manager Lotter reported Cor Wilson from the North Suburban Cable Commission had a <br />presentation for the City Council. <br />Cor Wilson, North Suburban Cable Commission, discussed the formal and informal <br />negotiations that have been underway with Comcast for the cable franchise. She was happy to <br />repoft that progress was being made informally. She explained that the contract being <br />considered by the Council this evening was Comcast's formal proposal. It was noted the <br />Council would need to take action on the formal proposal by June 20rh. h was her analysis that <br />the proposed cable franchise does not meet the member cities' needs. She explained that the <br />reduced equipment funding and channel cuts would not allow for NSCC to meet the needs of <br />the community. In addition, Comcast was proposing to charge municipalities $1,675 per <br />month to connect to their institutional network. She believed this fee was exorbitant. She <br />explained that the Cable Commission voted on May 15th to recommend that all member cities <br />preliminarily deny the renewal. It was her hope that the informal negotiations would bring <br />about a compromise for all parties involved. <br />Councilmember Burg tlranked Nß. Wilson for the report this evening. She requested flirther information on <br />the institrfional network and how it was used bythe member cities. Ms. Wilson discussed in detail howthe <br />institutional network was used by the munber cities. Comcast was claiming that the institutional connection <br />fees would assist with covering the value ofthe services provided to the member cities. <br />Councilmember Bauman thanked lr4s. V/ilson for her continued eflorts on behalf ofthe member cities. She <br />questioned how CTV would be impacted ifttre PEG fees were reduced to 44 cents. I\ß. V/ilson stated the 44 <br />cents in PEG fees cor-rld be used only for capital experrditures. She reported the proposed 44 cents would cut <br />CTV fimding by 90% and it would be very difficult for CTV to continue, She was hopef,rl that the informal <br />negotiations wouldbring about acompromisebeforeNovemberwhenthe fanchise expired. <br />Cowrcilmember Stub was pleased by the strong advocates the City had on the Cable Commission. <br />Mayor Jacobsen appreciafed N{s. 'Wilson's presentation this evening. <br />Motion by CouncilmemberBury seconded by CouncilmemberBauman to not renewthe Comcast of <br />Minnesota, Inc. Cable Franchise. <br />5 Ayes, 0 Nays-Motion Carried <br />Commission Liaison Reports. Announcements and Updates <br />Mary Burg <br />Councilmember Burg indicated two Public Safety Department members recently volunteered <br />their time with Habitat for Humanity. She discussed the Fill the Boot Campaign noting <br />$11,000 was raised this year for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. She explained Officer <br />Layton would be deployed for up to 400 days and wished him a safe return. It was noted the <br />Public Safety Commission would meet again on June 30,2014 at 6:30 p.m. where crosswalk <br />safety would be the topic of discussion. <br />Paul Jacobsen <br />Councilmember Jacobsen reported he would be attending the League of Minnesota Cities <br />Conference in St. Cloud next week. He noted the EDC would not be meeting in June. <br />Page 4 of 5 <br />Council Business <br />I . Consideration of a <br />Resolution Supporting <br />Preliminary <br />Assessment that <br />Comcast of <br />Minnesot4 Inc. Cable <br />Franchise Renewal <br />Should NolShould be <br />Renewed. RqortNo. 14 <br />155. <br />Commission Liaison <br />Reports. <br />Announcements and <br />Updates