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WHEREAS, based on its needs ascertainment, past performance review, best industry
<br /> practices, national trends in franchising and technology, and its own experience, Commission
<br /> staff prepared a "Request for Renewal Proposal for Cable Television Franchise" ("RFRP") that
<br /> summarizes the Member Cities' and their communities' present and future cable-related needs
<br /> and interests, establishes requirements for facilities, equipment and channel capacity on
<br /> Comcast's cable system and includes model provisions for satisfying those requirements and
<br /> cable-related needs and interests; and
<br /> WHEREAS, pursuant to Resolution No. 2013-04, the Commission authorized its
<br /> Executive Committee, Franchise Renewal Committee, Commission staff and/or Commission
<br /> designee(s) to take all steps and actions necessary to implement, conduct and engage in the entire
<br /> formal franchise renewal process set forth in Section 626(a)-(g) of the Cable Act, 47 U.S.C. §
<br /> 546(a)-(g), and to comply with any and all related federal, state and local laws, regulations,
<br /> ordinances, orders, decisions and agreements; and
<br /> WHEREAS, the Commission's delegation of authority to the Franchise Renewal
<br /> Committee includes, but is not limited to, the issuance of a staff report and RFRP and the
<br /> establishment of appropriate deadlines for questions and Comcast's RFRP response; and
<br /> WHEREAS, in accordance with the authority delegated by the Commission, the
<br /> Franchise Renewal Committee, by resolution, terminated the Section 626(a) proceedings
<br /> required by the Cable Act on July 26, 2013, issued the Staff Report and RFRP to Comcast,
<br /> effective July 29, 2013, and instructed Commission staff to deliver the Staff Report and RFRP to
<br /> Comcast no later than July 30, 2013; and
<br /> WHEREAS, the Staff Report and RFRP was delivered to Comcast on July 29, 2013; and
<br /> WHEREAS, the Commission ratified the issuance of the Staff Report and RFRP by the
<br /> Franchise Renewal Committee at its August 2013 meeting; and
<br /> WHEREAS, the Commission and Comcast engaged in informal renewal negotiations
<br /> pursuant to 47 U.S.C. § 546(h) but are currently unable to arrive at mutually acceptable terms,
<br /> although informal discussions are ongoing; and
<br /> WHEREAS, the Commission established November 22, 2013, as a deadline for
<br /> Comcast's response to the Staff Report and RFRP; and
<br /> WHEREAS, the Commission and Comcast agreed to extend certain deadlines including
<br /> the deadline for Comcast to respond to the Staff Report and RFRP and the deadline set forth in
<br /> 47 U.S.C. 546(c) for the Commission and the Member Cities to accept or preliminarily deny the
<br /> Comcast Proposal; and
<br /> WHEREAS, on or about December 20, 2013, Comcast submitted to the Commission its
<br /> Formal Proposal in response to the Staff Report and RFRP ("Proposal"); and
<br /> WHEREAS, the Commission published a notice notifying the public that Comcast's
<br /> Proposal has been received and was placed on file for public inspection in the Commission's
<br /> office, and that written public comments may be submitted to the Commission; and
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