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<br />-- ::" , <br /> <br />e <br /> <br />e <br /> <br />e <br /> <br />Mr. Gleason introduced Kent Gorham of the City Manager's Office who has recently <br />served as staff member for the Metropolitan Area Cable TV/Translator Commission. <br />Mr. Gorham explained that the bill before the council represents amendments <br />pursuant to an agreement reached on January 28, 1982, between Teleprompter of <br />Oregon and the Cable Commission. He explained that the amendments were a part <br />of a package negotiated with Teleprompter and that the package included granting <br />of a rate increase to Teleprompter. Mr. Gorham stated that the public notice <br />requirements of City Charter had been met by means of notices placed in the <br />Eugene Register-Guard on February 15, February 22, and March 1, 1982. <br /> <br />Mr. Gorham explained that the process of reviewing a rate increase submitted by <br />Teleprompter, pursuant to conditions outlined in the cable franchise, and the <br />process of reviewing Teleprompter's performance during the first three years of <br />the 15-year franchise agreement had been carried on at the same time and that <br />the amendments negotiated as part of these joint reviews were being presented to <br />the council as a package. He noted, however, that while the council has authority <br />to accept or reject the proposed franchise amendments, the decision on the rate <br />increase request is solely within the purview of the Cable Commission. Mr. <br />Gorham said that the commission had approved the requested increase on January <br />28, 1982. <br /> <br />Mr. Gorham then summarized the highlights of the negotiated franchise amendments. <br />He said that basic cable service would be enhanced by adding one channel and <br />realigning signals to drop duplication and introduce new signals; that responsi- <br />bility for public access and the access center would be turned over to the <br />commission; that Teleprompter would be responsible for providing and maintaining <br />the access center and channels and had, in addition, agreed to provide funding <br />for public access in the amount of $410,000 over the next three years; that the <br />definition of pay TV would be clarified; that the method of calculating Tele- <br />prompter's rate of return would be clarified; and that Teleprompter would be <br />required to charge for the installation of converters. Mr. Gorham said that <br />there were additional minor changes to the franchise. He said that language had <br />been added requiring Teleprompter to inform the Cable Commission of any plans to <br />expand channel capacity. He said that Teleprompter would be obligated to <br />continue providing existing opportunities and facilities for public access until <br />the new access center is in operation. <br /> <br />Mr. Gorham said that Keith Martin of the City Attorney's Office, who had served <br />as negotiator for the commission, was present to answer any questions from <br />councilors. <br /> <br />Public hearing was opened. <br /> <br />Brian Sullivan, General Manager of Teleprompter of Oregon, said that Teleprompter <br />had negotiated in good faith with the Cable Commission. He noted that over a <br />year ago, at the time of a previous rate increase request, Teleprompter had <br />submitted a proposal for provision of public access facilities and opportunities. <br />He said the dollar amount of the proposal currently before the council was <br />five times that offered a year ago. Mr. Sullivan said that the Cable Commission <br />has met diligently over the past year, resulting in the recommendations being <br /> <br />MINUTES--Eugene City Council <br /> <br />Page 2 <br /> <br />March 8, 1982 <br />