HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/20/1996CITY COUNCIL WORK ...SSSION
May 20, 1996
5:30 p.m.
Large Conference Room
Members present: Mayor Rooff, Getty, Anders, Krizek, Murphy,
Jordan, Mollenhoff, Collier.
It was moved by Jordan, seconded by Murphy to approve the agenda as
proposed. Ayes: Six. Absent: Collier. Motion carried.
Rachelle Brown updated the council on the activities being planned
for the Olympic Torch run through Waterloo on May 31. The torch
will be arriving at 10:00 in the morning at Texas Street and
meanders through the town coming to rest in Lincoln Park at 1:00
p.m.
Collier now present at 5:36 p.m.
Torch participants will be treated to a lunch in the park and then
there will be a thirty minute presentation on a grandstand erected
in Lincoln Park. The activities are being planned with the
cooperation of My Waterloo Days and street vendors should be
setting up near Lincoln Park. The My Waterloo Days parade will
then kick off the week's activities that evening.
Rachelle showed a sketch of the grandstand set up and indicated
that the Torch committee is keeping to a very tight schedule so the
torch should leave the park on time and head towards Cedar Falls.
Mayor Rooff stated that staff is instructed to provide maps of the
routes to city personnel so that members will be able to experience
the torch run through the city.
Vickie Bjortront, chairperson of My Waterloo Days, reviewed the
activities that have been scheduled throughout the week. The Mayor
and council will be participating in the parade and she thanked
city staff from the Parks Department, Traffic and Street
departments for their continued help with the event.
City Attorney James Walsh reviewed the progress of the negotiations
with TCI during the new franchise agreement over the last year.
TCI returned the agreement signed with the condition that the
paragraph asking for comparable rates be deleted. He has had no
contact with TCI representatives so doesn't know details about why
the paragraph was requested to be removed. He has no finding of
law that would prohibit the upholding of a rate limitation.
Councilperson Mollenhoff asked if the franchise agreement is not
approved wouldn't the council be required to offer any new cable
franchisees a comparable contract as TCI has remaining for the next
seven years. Walsh stated that in essence yes the contracts must
be like in substance but if a new vendor is found TCI could just be
offered a comparable contract as agreed to with the new vendor.
Walsh stated that he believes competition in Cedar Falls will be
heating up which should bring the rates down and could create big
differences in rates throughout the metro area.
Mayor Rooff explained that the term of the contract extension for
fifteen years is needed for TCI to amortize the cost of the
improvements over time. Walsh reminded everyone that technological
advances won't allow a twenty-two year contract to remain stagnant.
Advances could make cable franchises obsolete as phone lines and
satellite dishes start carrying cable networking. Approval of the
contract will provide benefits by establishing fiber optic networks
and paying for improvements to public buildings.
Councilperson Getty expressed support of the contract and stated he
doesn't see a reason not to approve it.
With no further discussion it was moved by Krizek, seconded by
Mollenhoff to adjourn the meeting at 6:15 p.m. Ayes: Seven.
Motion carried.
Susan Fangman
City Clerk
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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
May 20, 1996
6:40 p.m.
Police Library
Members present: Mayor Rooff, Murphy, Getty, Mollenhoff, Krizek,
Collier, Anders, Jordan.
It was moved by Krizek, seconded by Murphy to approve the agenda as
proposed. Ayes: Five. Absent: Collier, Anders.
Colliers and Anders now present at 6:55 p.m.
Mayor Rooff reminded council members that their support would be
appreciated at the Solid Waste Commission meeting this Wednesday.
Getty and Rooff will be asking for support from the Solid Waste
Commission in abandoned tire disposal efforts.
With no further discussion, it was moved by Getty, seconded by
Murphy to adjourn the meeting at 6:59 p.m. Ayes: Seven. Motion
carried.
Susan Fangman
City Clerk