Minutes 08/08/1989 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Augus~t 8, 1989 "As you know, the cable television franchise with Cox Cable ef Hampton Roads expires on August 12, 1989. For the past severa~ months, the City and Cox Cable-~ave been negotiating the terms of a proposed renewal of the franchise. Thenegotiations were preceded by~ extensive in~estfgatiDn ~of the finaHc~at and technica~ capabilities of the cable company, with the ~ass~s~ance of a consultant h~red by' the CitF. The proposed renewal would result in an upgrade of the systei from 36 to 53 channel capacity. Cox would agree to pay the City one-time fee of $2.50 per subscriber to be used for the City's government access channel, as well as up to $10,000 for reimbursement of our consultant's cost. Cox would also agree to pay a franchis~ fee of 5%, an increase over the current 3%. Ther is a- "most favored nations clause" whereby Cox Cable' agrees to provide the City and its cable subscribers the same services, grants, and policies that are provided to other cities in the local system. I believe the negotiated contract is a fair one which is beheficial to~ both Cox and the City. On July 31, the Cable Television Commissio~ met and recommended that you approve the proposed cable franchise renewal I concur with that recommendation, and therefore ask that you adopt an ordinance governing the cable television franchise. I also recomme:nd that you approve a~ motion granting the cable television ~ranchise to Cox Cable of Hampton Roads." Mr. Simpson made the following statement: May~r and Members of City Council: In 1973~ ~the city of Portsmouth~became the first City in South~H~mpton Roads to seek proposals and to award a franchise for a Cable TV System to serve our residents. A Year later, we~became the first City to award a franchise and selected Cox Cable. Our sister cities of Norfolk and Virginia Beach subsequently followed our Ie~d and selected Cox Cable. Throughout the fifteen (15) years this franchise has been in existence, the citizens of our City, as well as our sister cities, have enjoye~the-~enefits of this service and it has contributedsignificantly to m~eting-the communication needs and desires of our citizens. I have personally known Irving Hill and Frank Bowers for a number of years. These men are professional, dedicated and t~,community service. They represent Cox Cable and the Hampton Roads community wi%h~excelle~ce and with integrity. ~ is therefore-with a great deat ~f pleasure~ that I make a motion to the Council that we adopt the Ordinance governing the Cable Television Franchise and, after ~dopting same, that w~ approve a motion granting Cox Cable's proposal for renewal for a term of twenty (20) years. Motion of-Mr. Simpson and seconded by Mr. Gray the followin~ ordinance was adopted on-first and.final reading, and by the following Vote: "AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 8 OF-THE CODE OF ~THE CITY OF PORTSMOUTH, 1988, BY ADDING TO ARTICLE I THEREOF SECTIONS 8-i T~ROUGH 8-15 GRANTING A F~ANCHISE TO COX CABLE HAMPTON ROADS INC. TO CONSTRUCT, OPERATE AND MAINTAIN A CABLE TELEVISION SYSTEM IN THE CITY OF PORTSMOUTH, VIRGINIA." Ayes: Barnes, Corprew, Gray, Hawks, Lucas, Simpson, Webb Nays: None