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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/08/1998 COW agenda COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE AGENDA Meeting Location: Meeting Date and Time: Mount Prospect Senior Center Tuesday, December 8, 1998 50 South Emerson Street 7:30 p.m. I. CALL TO ORDER - ROLL CALL Mayor Gerald L. Farley Trustee George Clowes Trustee Richard Lohrstorfer Trustee Timothy Corcoran Trustee Daniel Nocchi Trustee Paul Hoefert Trustee Irvana Wilks II. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 24, 1998 III. CITIZENS TO BE HEARD IV. CABLE FRANCHISE POLICY DISCUSSION The Village entered into a Franchise Agreement for cable services in 1981 with Cablenet. Cablenet was subsequently bought out by TCI. The original Franchise Agreement was for a period of 15 years, which expired in August of 1996. Since that expiration date, the Village Board has extended the Agreement in six-month increments through the latest extension, which is set to expire on February 1, 1999. The Franchise Agreement only allows for six-month extensions and not shorter time frames for negotiation purposes. The Franchise negotiations with TCI have been underway sporadically since 1996 and have recently drawn to the point that a tentative Agreement is now ready for discussion. Attached for your information is a copy of the tentative Franchise Agreement with TCI and the Village of Mount Prospect. Also attached is a memorandum outlining the issues which staff is requesting direction from the Board in order to conclude negotiations on the Agreement. The ultimate goal is to present the Agreement for final approval by the Board early in 1999. Among the issues which staff is requesting direction is the status on the number of public education, government or PEG channels and the definition of gross revenue. Among the other items which are highlighted in the memorandum are some enhancements which have been added to the Agreement based on the past experience of the Village in its dealings with TCI. One of the items highlighted and addressed through enhancements in the Agreement is the need to structure an Agreement which is favorable to possible cable competition. The value of creating an Agreement which can easily be mirrored by a competitor will streamline the negotiation process with a possible competitor. NOTE: ANY INDIVIDUAL WHO WOULD LIKE TO ATTEND THIS MEETING BUT BECAUSE OF A DISABILITY NEEDS SOME ACCOMMODATION TO PARTICIPATE, SHOULD CONTACT THE VILLAGE MANAGER'S OFFICE A T lO0 SOUTH EMERSON, MOUNT PROSPECT, ILLINOIS 60056, 847/392-6000, EXTENSION 5327, TDD #847/392-6064. Assistant Village Manager David Strahl has been the chief negotiator on behalf of the Village for a new Franchise Agreement with TCl and will be present at the meeting to facilitate discussion. Representatives from TCl have also been invited to attend in order to clarify any points which the Village Board may have. V. ANY OTHER BUSINESS VI. MANAGER=S REPORT VII. ADJOURNMENT H:\GEN\Cow~Agenda\120898 COW AGENDA.doc