09/19/1988 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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e expressed surprise that the council had not been informed prior to this announcement being made. She suggested the City of Eugene should insist that the process on the proposal be stopped until users become involved in its development and citizens are informed of departure from a policy decision that was reached with difficulty during the budget process. Ms. Schue remarked that during the discussions of financing, discussions of alternative strategies that would shape the long-term funding were also taking place. She said not all users were uncomfortable with the shift to LCC and Sheldon and the closure of the 12th Avenue center. Mr. Holmer pointed out that the agreement was not yet finalized. It was noted that the equipment would be available to the public after the move. Ms. Wooten explained that she was judging the process, not the proposal itself. At this point, Mr. Holmer read a statement from L-COG and indicated that council review of the agreement before it is signed may be appropriate. Ms. Bascom said her interpretation of the proposed adjustment was a necessary response to Springfield's discontinued support, and she thought review of the proposal was appropriate. Ms. Wooten reiterated her point that users at the center should be involved in the decisions that affect them. She asked that the subcommittee of the MPC that is reviewing the proposal invite representatives of the users at the center to become members and to participate in the development of any e dispersal policy. Mr. Holmer agreed to take Ms. Wooten's request to the MPC. Answering Mr. Bennett's question of whether a professional negotiating team was involved in the renegotiation of the cable contract, Mr. Gleason said a team that includes Keith Martin, Randy Kolb, and representatives from Springfield and Lane County continues to work on this issue. Mr. Bennett expressed hope that the negotiating committee, on behalf of MPC, draws the line on the important issues. Otherwise, he was confident that the City of Eugene would be taken advantage of by a monopoly situation. Mayor Obie presumed that at the point at which negotiations are reopened, the matter will be brought to the council for council goals. Mr. Holmer read and passed around a document listing various requirements. The list included: MPC will review channel realignments, additional channel space will be available for leased access, required programming will be added to the franchise, basic service will be redefined to possibly allow a reduction in the basic charge, and future plans will require a system that keeps pace with technology. Mr. Holmer anticipated coming back to the council for direction before the matter comes to the council for action. Ms. Schue referred to a public hearing held by MPC to gather public input about the level of satisfaction with TCI. Acknowledging TCI's national e MINUTES--Eugene City Council September 19, 1988 Page 4 Quarterly Process Session