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'. .- M I NUT E S Eugene City Council City Council Chamber July 18, 1984 12:06 p.m. COUNCILORS PRESENT: Brian Obie, Cynthia Wooten, John Ball, Debra Ehrman, Richard Hansen, Freeman Holmer, Emily Schue, Betty Smi th ABSENT: Mayor Gus Keller The adjourned meeting of the Eugene City Council of the City of Eugene, Oregon, was called to order by Councilor Obie in the absence of His Honor Mayor Gus Keller. I. ITEMS FROM MAYOR AND COUNCIL, APPOINTMENTS, ANNOUNCEMENTS, AGENDA ADJUSTMENTS A. REVIEW OF CABLE TV RATE INCREASE Councilor Hansen said the Cable Commission was currently performing a review of the 31-percent rate increase requested by Group W Cable Company and had e contracted Touche Ross & Company to review the increase proposal. He stated that he will ask the City Council for guidance on the various issues involved at some future date. He explained that under the proposed contract Group W Cable would reduce its present yearly contribution to public access television. He stated that Touche Ross & Company had determined that Group W Cable was receiving a return of 4.6 percent from its capital investment over a three-year period, less than the 8 percent rate seen as acceptable by Touche Ross. Mr. Hansen stated that a public hearing was scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at the Spring- field City Council Chamber on July 19. He said the City Council should address the issues of continuing the three-percent franchise fee and the contribution to public access television, waiting for legislation that would increase the fee to five percent, or increasing in the contribution to public access television. Councilor Obie said he understood the frustration exper- ienced in the process. He said he would like to see an enhancement of the public access television funding and a consideration for the teleport concept. Mr. Obie said he had recently read several newspaper articles on the increasing importance of teleports, and he felt that it will be a significant issue for the communi ty. In response to a question, Mr. Hansen explained that the Cable Commission could either adopt, reject, or disregard the rate increase request, explaining that the rate increase would become effective after 90 days from the date of application if the commission did not take specific action. He said the commission was attempting to incorporate an increase of public access funding into the contract with Group W Cable. Councilor Wooten said that she supported public access and that the City must at least maintain its present level of support and enhance the funding level if possible. -- MINUTES--Eugene City Council July 18, 1984 Page 1