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<br /> for subscribers. Those changes included provisions for the sale of cable <br />. services in monthly blocks, an increase in the density of a development before <br /> cable service must be provided, permission for Group W to sell some customer <br /> lists, and permission for Group W to charge subscribers for willful damage to <br /> equipment. <br /> Mr. Ko1b said the Lane County Board of Commissioners and the Springfield City <br /> Council have approved the new franchise. <br /> Ms. Wooten opened the public hearing. <br /> John Breeden, 366 East 40th, represented the Home Builders Association of Lane <br /> County and his firm, Breeden Bros., Inc. He read and then submitted a memo <br /> from John R. Bennett, Executive Officer of the Home Builders. Mr. Bennett <br /> opposed the change which would require Group W to provide cable service when <br /> 25 houses per quarter mile have been constructed. Previously, cable service <br /> was required when 10 houses were built per quarter mile. He said Eugene has <br /> been using the availability of reasonably priced lots with a full range of <br /> services to recruit new employers. The proposed change jeopardizes one of the <br /> basic services. <br /> Mr. Breeden said his firm paid $7,575 for conduits for cable TV in <br /> Somerset 8. Twenty homes have been planned, sold, or built in Somerset 8. <br /> Eight homes are completed in a quarter mile. The change which would require <br /> 25 homes in a quarter mile would be a disservice to the residents, he said. <br /> The original agreement should be honored. <br />- Mr. Breeden said he and the Home Builders Association had just heard of the <br /> change, which is a major policy one, last Friday. He thought time should be <br /> provided for meaningful input from affected people. He said the absence of <br /> cable TV makes it more difficult to sell new homes. <br /> There being no more requests to testify, Ms. Wooten closed the public hearing. <br /> Mr. Kolb said the negotiations were complex. The change in density was made <br /> to keep the basic monthly cost down for existing customers. Extending lines <br /> is expensive. When there are only a few customers on a new line, a greater <br /> cost has to be passed on to existing customers. He said cable TV is not a <br /> real utility. It is entertainment. Most of the developers have agreements <br /> with Group W about extending service which are more flexible than the fran- <br /> chise language. <br /> When answering a question from Councilor Rutan, Mr. Kolb introduced Brian <br /> Sullivan, General Manager of Group W. He said the agreement with Breeden <br /> Bros., Inc., will cover cable extension in Somerset 8. He said Group W has <br /> encouraged existing lot owners in Somerset 8 to work together. Cable exten- <br /> sion for a group of lots is cheaper than for just one lot. He said most <br /> developments within the Urban Services Boundary are covered by agreements <br /> between Group Wand the developer. The 25 homes per Quarter mile is an <br /> average; it does not mean the dwelling units have to be contiguous. It would <br /> apply to new developments not covered by existing agreements. <br />e <br /> MINUTES--Eugene City Council October 14, 1985 Page 2 <br />