MEMO TO: Members of the City Council
FROM: Mayor John Marchione
SUBJECT:
title
Cable Franchise Renewal
I. RECOMMENDED ACTION
recommendation
None at this time. We will, however, be building towards a decision on the specific items to negotiate at the 8/27/2019 FAC meeting.
body
II. DEPARTMENT CONTACTS
Jonny Chambers, Technology and Information Services Director 425-566-2160
III. DESCRIPTION/BACKGROUND
The existing cable franchises the City has in place with Comcast and Frontier are due to expire in June and September of 2020 respectively, and under Federal Law, the renewal window has now begun. The current contracts provide for fees paid for the use of right-of-ways. There is a five percent charge on Cable Service Gross Revenues and a six percent Utility tax.
In support of the renewals, City staff would like direction from the City Council with respect to substantive issues in the negotiation process. Beyond cable TV channels, there are a range of topics we would like to address. Examples include performance standards versus the existing contracts, maintenance of PEG fees, public engagement relating to service provisions, additional services that we could deliver through an expanded partnership with Comcast and Frontier, and more.
Specifically, regarding PEG (Public, Educational, Governmental) Fees, we would seek to reinstate collection. We have been spending down the previously accumulated funds on AV updates to the Council Chamber, and we anticipate further spend in the near term.
In support of negotiation planning for the renewals, the City has retained the services of River Oaks Communications Corporation. River Oaks has worked extensively with the City since 2004 on cable television and telecommunications projects involving Comcast (2004 and 2013), Verizon (2008) and Frontier (2009) and been called on for assistance over the past years since 2013 on PEG and other related matters. Between April-June 2019. River Oaks has so far ...
Click here for full text