AgdaPkt 2003-10-27 - Laserfiche WebLink

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q .?A-- I REPORT, October 27, 2003 To the Honorable Mayor and City Council From the City Manager Subject Resolution granting a four month extension to Comcast (formerly AT &T Broadband) to operate a cable television system in Redwood City during franchise renewal negotiations. Recommendation Adopt a resolution granting a four month extension to Comcast to operate a cable television system in Redwood City during franchise renewal negotiations. Background In 1991 the City Council approved a Cable TV Franchise Agreement with TCI (which later became AT &T Broadband, and more recently became Comcast) for a period of 12 years. In preparation for the February 19, 2003 renewal, Redwood City has worked with six other cities and the County on a group franchise renewal process, as the San Mateo County Telecommunications Authority (SAMCAT). This process has included a technical audit, legal review, and community needs assessment of cable TV services and needs in Redwood City and the other local governments. A group process has been and will be beneficial to Redwood City since it enables us to share resources in hiring legal and technical assistance at a fraction of the cost of contracting individually. The process has been moving along but it has taken longer than expected due to the earlier need to review and ultimately come to a negotiated settlement on the recent AT &T /Comcast merger and transfer of operations. With the merger and transfer complete, we were able to focus our efforts on the franchise renewal. On February 10 2003 the Council granted a six month extension of the franchise to enable the City, its representatives, and Comcast to negotiate and develop a new franchise. This process is continuing, in good faith, and at this time an additional four month extension is requested in order for these negotiations to continue. It is possible that the negotiations will not be completed by the end of this calendar year, and that an additional extension may be requested at that time. A proposed resolution is attached which would grant this franchise extension. Alternative The Council could choose not to adopt this resolution, however this would disrupt the franchise agreement negotiations and potentially impact cable TV service for the next four months.