08/03/1987 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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Council needed to be aware of and on top of all issues in working with cable companies. e Ms. Bascom said she hoped the direction to MPC would be communicated as the council's desire for a workable process, and should not be interpreted, as Mr. Rutan had described it, as a "witch hunt" against TCI. Mayor Obie said that wi th budget cuts bei ng made to the Metropolitan Partnership and the Convention and Visitors Bureau, he did not think funds being requested were timely or appropriate. He said the cable industry could change dramatically by 1992, and he thought the review likely could be premature and could be considered a "witch hunt." He said he was not interested in that or in the City being in the cable business. Mayor Obie asked about the timing of the review. Mr. Rutan said the timing issue was that the tri-annual review was set for September, and that review provided opportunities to affect the agreement. Ms. Bascom asked whether all of the funds would be spent by September. Mr. Long said staff would work with other governments to perform a study, which probably would take about 60 to 90 days and would include several elements, such as a community survey and outside auditors. He said the tri- annual review would begin in September and probably would be complete by about the end of the year. Responding to Mayor Obie's question about existing City staff support for the cable, Mr. Long said Randy Kolb monitored cable issues for the City and the Lane Council of Governments (L-COG) provided contracted staff support for the e cab 1 e commi ss ion. Mr. Long also said the City contributed an incidental amount of staff time to cable issues, and a consultant would be hired for the study. Ms. Wooten said her intent was not to indicate that the City wanted service other than TCI, but she thought the study would be a useful tool for the negotiation. Responding to Ms. Bascom's question, Ms. Ehrman said the cable subcommittee had been created after MPC had approved changes, when council concerns had been expressed about continuing public access. Ms. Bascom asked whether any alternatives existed to spending $16,000 for the study. Mr. Long said that price would allow a thorough and comprehensive review of each of the four elements. He said discussions with other partners indicated that they were similarly reluctant to fund all elements completely. He said he doubted that other jurisdictions would agree to a full review, and the price identified was for the upper limit. Mr. Gleason asked whether the council could approve a different maximum cost. Mr. Long said it could do that, or it could approve the scope of the study but withhold final authorization until an agreement actually was reached with the other partners. Ms. Wooten said Councilor Bennett was not present tonight but was the third member of the council subcommittee. She said he had been extremely e MINUTES--Eugene City Council August 3, 1987 Page 14