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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/12/1996COUNCIL WORK SESSION February 12, 1996 5:00 p.m. Large Conference Room Members present: Mayor Rooff, Collier, Krizek, Jordan. Also present: Darrel Wenzel, Reed. Mollenhoff Jim Walsh, , Getty, Murphy, Anders, Chuck Angel and Charles Moved by Murphy, seconded by Jordan that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried. The proposal submitted by Darrel Wenzel of TCI of Northern Iowa to add the Weather Channel to cable television, the proposed cable television franchise agreement with TCI of Northern Iowa and revisions to the cable franchise ordinance were reviewed. Mayor Rooff reviewed the proposal by TCI of Northern Iowa to add the Weather Channel to Waterloo's channel line-up. At this time all basic and expanded programming channels are under contract to be carried for the remainder of 1996. Therefore, TCI is proposing that the Weather Channel be time shared with C -SPAN on the Government Access Channel 9. The hours for carriage of C -SPAN programming would be from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and the Weather Channel programming from 7:00 p.m. until 9:00 a.m. each day. This allows 10 hours for C -SPAN programming and 14 hours of the Weather Channel programming. TCI also recommends that the city and county meetings be moved to Public Access Channel 2. TCI did not recommend putting the Weather Channel on Educational Access Channel 7 because we are very close to launching the Learning Channel programming, 12 hours each day, on Educational Access Channel 7, and because Channel 7 has basically been given to the school system dating back almost 15 years. TCI did not recommend sharing the Weather Channel with Public Access Channel 2 due to the past litigation concerning public access. The PEG channel must be available for cablecasting programs not less than 14 hours per day. This would most likely result in the Weather Channel programming being chopped up by access user's programs. Also, viewers who prefer the local weather radar will retain this programming. Mayor Rooff stated that sharing of Cable Channel 9 is a short-term fix to a problem that will be eliminated after the new fiber optics are installed. There will be 77 channels available allowing for many options. City Attorney Jim Walsh informed the council that TCI of Northern Iowa is a private for profit organization and that the council cannot dictate programming on cable television. The city only authorizes the use of our streets. Councilperson Krizek suggested that city departments be spotlighted on channel 2, showing the public what the city departments do and how they interact. Chuck Angel stated that an informal vote was taken of the Cable Commission on the proposal by TCI of Northern Iowa to share Cable Channel 9 with C -SPAN and the Weather Channel and seven commissioners agreed with the proposal. The commission will adopt a resolution at its March meeting approving the proposal. Elaine Jaquith asked how many years are left on the original franchise with TCI, the length of the new contract, who agreed to the original 25 year franchise and when the proposed contract and ordinance will be on the council agenda. Mayor Rooff stated that the original franchise was approved in 1978, 7 years remain on the original contract, and that the proposed agreement with TCI of Northern Iowa and the new cable franchise ordinance will be on the council agenda of Monday, February 19,1996. Ms. Jaquith questioned why the city would extend its franchise with TCI when citizens have filed so many complaints and the problems still exist. City Attorney Jim Walsh stated that negotiations began with TCI of Northern Iowa while nine years still remained on the franchise and the proposed agreement represents many months of negotiations. Council Work Session February 12, 1996 Page 2 Similar agreements and ordinances have been approved by other communities. The city cannot get into the business of programming and that TCI is subject to the desires of its customers. Mr. Angel stated that cable television is structurally ruled by FCC guidelines. Moved by Anders, seconded by Collier to proceed with the proposal recommended by TCI of Northern Iowa for sharing of Channel 9 by C - SPAN and the Weather Channel and that the City Attorney be instructed to draw up a resolution to be placed on the council agenda of Monday, February 19, 1996. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried. With no further business before the council, it was moved by Collier, seconded by Jordan that the meeting be adjourned at 5:40 p.m. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried. Susan Fangman City Clerk