Minutes 03/25/2025 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

March 25, 2025 25 - 89 - Adoption of an ordinance authorizing a renewal of the City’s Cable Franchise Agreement with Verizon. Background:  Cable companies are required to enter into Cable Franchise Agreements to provide cable service in localities.  The permissible terms and conditions that localities can require in Cable Franchise Agreements are strictly regulated and limited by Chapter 21 of Title 15.2 of the Virginia Code. Franchise renewals are limited even further by Section 626 of the Cable Act, 47 USC § 546. Nevertheless, there are certain terms that can be negotiated between a locality and a provider.  Portsmouth City Council granted a Cable Franchise Agreement to Verizon on July 22, 2008 and later extended the term of said agreement to April 22, 2025. Discussion:  The City has negotiated a renewal of Verizon’s Cable Franchise Agreement with terms and conditions benefitting the City to the greatest extent possible.  The renewal Cable Franchise Agreement will have a 5 year term. Financial Impact:  None Recommended Action:  Adoption of the ordinance. Next Steps Following Council Action:  The City Manager will execute the Cable Franchise Agreement renewal with Verizon. Motion by Mr. Moody, and seconded by Mr. Tillage, to adopt the following ordinance, and was adopted by the following vote: “ORDINANCE GRANTING A RENEWAL OF A NON-EXCLUSIVE CABLE FRANCHISE TO VERIZON VIRGINIA LLC TO CONSTRUCT, OPERATE AND MAINTAIN A CABLE SYSTEM IN THE CITY OF PORTSMOUTH. ” Ayes: Bryant, Hugel, Moody, Thomas, Tillage, Glover Nays: Dodson 25 - 90 - Adoption of a resolution declaring that the City of Portsmouth will provide the workers’ compensation presumptions under Virginia Code Section 65.2-402(B) to salaried Emergency Medical Services personnel. Background:  The Virginia General Assembly amended Section 65.2-402 of the Code of Virginia to allow municipalities to extend via resolution the workers’ compensation presumptions as to death or disability from hypertension or heart disease to salaried or volunteer emergency medical services personnel who have completed five years of service in their position, effective beginning July 1, 2021.  This legislative action granted local governing bodies the authority to determine whether its salaried emergency medical services personnel are to be covered by the workers’ compensation presumptions included in Section 65.2-402(B).  To provide coverage, localities must adopt a resolution confirming their intent. Discussion:  The emergency medical services personnel employed by the City of Portsmouth perform a valuable service to the community, frequently risking their health and safety for the citizens of the city.  By adopting the proposed resolution, City Council will authorize Portsmouth’s salaried EMS personnel to benefit from the hypertension and heart disease workers’ compensation presumptions in Section 65.2-402(B) of the Virginia Code.