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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/20/1988 L CITY COUNCIL TOWN OF LOS ALTOS HILLS 26379 Fremont Road Los Altos Hills, California MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING Wednesday, January 20, 1988 cc: Reel 189 , Tr. II , Side I , 233-end Mayor Tryon called the Special Meeting of the City Council to order at 4 : 10 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Town Hall . A. ROLL CALL AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Present: Mayor Tryon and Councilmembers Dronkert, Plummer and van Tamelen Absent: Mayor Pro Tem Siegel Staff: City Manager George Scarborough, City Attorney Frank 41111, Gillio, Director of Public Works Bill Ekern and City Clerk Pat Dowd B. CABLE TV STUDY SESSION: Council had before them a letter from Sun Country Cable dated 1/18/88 and the City Manager ' s report on the cable tv negotiations dated 1/19/88 . Mr. David Kinley, President - Sun Country Cable , gave a brief background and chronology of events regarding their involvement with the Town and the cable tv issue. He referred to the 1/18/88 letter from them which noted in part that they were unable to agree to the zone concept plan which would provide a uniform cost for all residents of underground areas and said cost would be determined now and guaranteed for several years . The letter also outlined Sun Country' s support for access programming and underground construction and listed additional commitments beyond their original proposal . Mr. Kinley stated that they were at a point now where they could not go beyond an economically feasible basis . (A copy of this letter is on file at Town Hall . ) Mr. John Dolan, Executive Vice President - Sun Country Cable, described the bid process for contractors and noted that they were involved in this process at this time. *publicly state the reasons for his disagreeing (N1rNDID BY B. CABLE TV STUDY SESSION: COUNCIL 2/3/88) Plummer stated he was sympathetic for further study of the problem of undergrounding cable whether funded partially or wholly by the Town. Plummer also noted four area classifications of houses in the Town: those in the regular aerial network, those areas serviced off the regular aerial network, the guaranteed area and the unguaranteed area. The last two areas were those of concern. Plummer strongly felt that other companies should be approached with the proposal ; the competition process is important. Should the Council decide not to carry out the competitive process, Plummer stated he would not only disagree but would ss-st. e-}rrs-moi + a,.., * He further stated that this was a business negotiation and was not being conducted as one. The Town was not being run in a businesslike fashion and he thought it was important to see that it was run in such a way. Plummer did not think that the Council should accept Sun ' s proposal and strongly felt that other companies should be approached for a proposal . Mr. Robert Kincheloe, member - Cable TV Ad Hoc Committee, commented on his background and noted he had a strong interest in the issue of cable tv. He was personally impressed with Sun Country Cable. He thought they were straightforward and were indicating exactly what services they would be able to provide. The implementation of cable tv should be of mutual benefit to both the Town and Sun Country Cable. Mr . Kincheloe did suggest that the total cost of cabling a neighborhood could be established and then the neighborhood could decide if it wanted cable tv or not. Mr. Kinley noted this could be worked into their proposal . Mr. James Reynolds , member - Cable TV Ad Hoc Committee, concurred with Mr. Kincheloe' s comments . He thought Sun Country to be a straightforward, honest firm. Mr. George Beers, Foothill College, concurred with the comments made by both Mr. Kincheloe and Mr. Reynolds. He noted that the partners involved in Sun Country were quite experienced in the field of cable tv. PASSED BY CONSENSUS : To keep negotiations open with Sun Country Cable, to not approach other companies at this time and to direct the City Manager to come back with a specific proposal which the Council can either accept or reject. C . ADJOURNMENT: There being no further new or old business to discuss , the City Council adjourned at 6: 25 p.m. Respectfully submitted, 4111101 Patricia Dowd, City Clerk _2_ 1/20/88