12/04/2003 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

priorities for the negotiation process. Pilnick referenced his experience with similar negotiations and he expects the Town's negotiation proceedings to require 3-6 meetings with Comcast. • Pilnick expressed the belief that the Town will be able to gain some benefits with the new franchise agreement. These include the support for public educational and governmental use of the cable system. Pilnick added that this would be considered within the reasonable range of negotiations. In conclusion, Pilnick noted that the Comcast Franchise Agreement extension to June 20, 2004 on tonight's agenda for Council's consideration should be adequate time to complete the negotiation process. Councilmember Fenwick requested clarification on the existing franchise agreement. He questioned whether Comcast is bound to the provisions of the original agreement between the Town and Sun Country Cable. Fenwick was particularly interested in the clause regarding universal service. Pilnick explained that when Comcast purchased the assets from AT&T Broadband they needed the approval of the Town to continue operating the franchise service. Universal Service is very ambiguous in the original agreement. There is a line extension agreement and density clauses with references to shared expenses with homeowners. Pilnick said the negotiation for the new agreement will include a requirement for universal service throughout the Town under the same conditions to every residence, including those that will be eventually annexed. • Councilmember Warshawsky asked if it was possible to require Comcast to share in the costs of undergrounding utilities. Pilnick explained that the draft agreement does require them to pay their share of costs for any area that converts from aerial to underground service and if other utilities underground they must follow. Councilmember Kerr requested information on the upgrading of the Comcast Cable service to include high speed internet access. Pilnick noted that this was not part of the renegotiation, however, it was in the best interest of Comcast financially to offer this service. 2.2 Presentation by Comcast Cable—Report on the Status of the Cable System Upgrade Kathi Noe, Director of Government Relations and Franchising, Comcast Cable, addressed Council. She stated that the company is committed to upgrading the existing system and bringing high speed internet access to Comcast customers. Comcast is presently in the design phase of the project but they expect to begin construction in some areas this month. Noe noted that they will keep the City Manager apprised of their progress. She will return to Council in January with a more definitive list of the streets that do not meet the density requirements where Comcast will be asking the customers to share the upgrade and service delivery costs. Noe will also report back to Council with the • 2 City Council Meeting Minutes December 4,2003