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03-31-14-R
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03-31-14-R
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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION FEBRUARY 18, 20142 <br /> <br />viability of these programs will depend on how negotiations with Comcast are resolved. She <br />discussed the Comcast negotiation situation in detail with the Council. She indicated that the <br />Cable Commission had concerns with the rates being charged by Comcast, and she explained a <br />rate review was conducted. Specifically, the Cable Commission questioned how Comcast was <br />paying franchise fees for customers that had bundled cable packages. Comcast has since appealed <br />the rate orders to the FCC. At this time, a stay has not been ordered by the FCC, and Comcast is <br />awaiting further court action. <br /> <br />Ms. Wilson <br /> indicated that Comcast is questioning the open meeting law for the Cable <br />Commission meetings. She explained that the atmosphere for negotiation has been hampered, and <br />for this reason, a formal process for negotiations has begun. She believes that the number of <br />Comcast cable subscribers is on the decline. She provided further information on the Time <br />Warner and Comcast merger and noted that she anticipates having more information on the <br />franchise situation in April. <br /> <br />Councilmember Werner <br /> asked for more information on the cable convertor box. <br /> <br />Ms. Wilson <br />explained that as part of the Comcast agreement, these boxes were initially supplied <br />at no charge. Since January of 2013, customers are now charged $1.99 per month for the use of <br />the convertor box; however, this rate order is currently being reviewed by the FCC. <br /> <br />Councilmember Werner <br /> questioned why Comcast subscribers who have been customers for <br />years are being charged fees to drop services. <br /> <br />Ms. Wilson <br />discussed the tiered rate system and stated that there is a lack of transparency when it <br />comes to the rates being charged. There is also concern that new customers do not fully <br />understand what they are signing up for. Many of the complaints received by CTV are from <br />customers who sign up for bundle packages without having a clear understanding of the rates. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holmes <br /> requested further information on the negotiation process with Comcast. <br /> <br />Ms. Wilson <br /> discussed the formal and informal negotiation processes in further detail with the <br />Council. She explained that it is a long process. She reported that the current franchise with <br />Comcast expires in November of 2014. She reported that the informal and formal negotiating <br />processes will continue as the law allows. However, if Comcast does not respond with reasonable <br />counter-offers, the informal negotiations will cease. She noted that only four franchise cases have <br />gone to federal court and in each of those cases, the local authority has won. It is her hope that <br />Comcast will be cooperative while working through the negotiation process. <br /> <br />Mayor Grant <br /> thanked Ms. Wilson for her report this evening. <br /> <br /> <br />B.Parks and Open Space Zoning <br /> <br />Associate Planner Bachler <br /> requested that the Council review the proposed list of properties to be <br />rezoned to Parks and Open Space District or Conservation District. The parks managed by the <br />City and Ramsey County were described noting that their current zoning is R-1 or R-2. He <br />explained that last fall the Council approved two ordinances that created two new zoning districts: <br />
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