10/14/1985 Meeting (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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Answering questions from Ms. Wooten, Mr. Sullivan said the change in density e would not apply to Somerset 8. He said the prepayment for conduits is regula- ted in another section of the franchise. Agreements with developers about service in Planned Unit Developments indicate that service will be extended when a specific number of dwelling units are constructed regardless of where they are built or when a specific number of dwelling units in each phase are constructed. Mr. Ko1b said an appeal could be made to the Metropolitan Cable Television Commission, but the commission probably would not decide against the requirement in the franchise for 25 homes per quarter mile. Responding to questions from Councilor Miller, Mr. Sullivan said the existing average density in the community is 110 homes per mile. The necessity to extend service to every 10 homes per quarter mile (40 per mile) dilutes the average density. He said a change in the franchise would mean the entire tri- annual review would have to begin again. Councilor Hansen represents the City Council on the Metropolitan Cable Televi- sion Commission. He said the negotiations involved much "give and take." The Telecommunications Act of 1984 indicates that Group W must operate on a busi- ness basis. It will survive because of the number of customers it has and the income they generate. He said developers and Group W representatives will want as many people as possible to have a cable hook-up. Keith Martin was the MCTC attorney in the negotiations and represented the agencies well, Mr. Hansen said. He did not think the changes will be a problem for deve- 1 opers. The biggest danger will be that people will not want cable because it is too costly or because they have "dishes.1I He noted the franchise will be e reviewed again in about two-and-a-half years. Mr. Hansen said the franchise agreement did not have to be changed. If it had not been changed, the franchise fee would be three percent and there probably would not be funds for public access facilities. The Metropolitan Cable Tele- vision Commission was committed to public access programming. The increase in the franchise fee will provide about $210,000 each year which the community will decide how to spend. This year $150,000 will fund the public access channels and $60,000 will fund a telecommunications study. He noted that Lane County Commissioner Rust and Springfield City Councilor Fred Simmons supported the new franchise. He hoped the council would support the franchise. Councilor Holmer said 25 homes a quarter mile means each lot will have 45 feet of frontage for each dwelling unit. He was nervous about approving the agree- ment. He realized Group W will want to extend services to as many homes as possible, but he also realized Mr. Breeden's concerns. Mr. Rutan suggested that Mr. Breeden be permitted to comment again. Ms. Wooten agreed to the suggestion. Mr. Breeden said a customer was told it will take 3,490 feet of cable costing $6,000 to extend service to Somerset 8. The customer was told each of 10 customers would have to pay $500 for the extension. Mr. Breeden reiterated that $7,575 was paid for the conduits. Mr. Breeden said Group W required that seven of the eight homes in Somerset 7 have hookups before it would provide the cable. - MINUTES--Eugene City Council October 14, 1985 Page 3