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REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION <br /> Date: November 10, 2014 <br /> Item No.: 13.d <br />Department Approval City Manager Approval <br />Item Description: Consider Extending the Term of Cable Television Franchise Ordinance and <br />Agreement Held by Comcast of Minnesota, Inc <br />B <br />ACKGROUND <br />1 <br />2 <br />As the City Council is aware, the North Suburban Communications Commission (“NSCC”) manages <br />3 <br />the City’s cable television franchise on behalf of the City. On October 10, 2014, the NSCC reached an <br />4 <br />agreement with Comcast on the resolution of multiple cable franchising issues. The following are some <br />5 <br />highlights of the agreement: <br />6 <br />7 <br />Cable Franchise is extended through December 31, 2016. <br />8 <br />Memorandum of Understanding with Comcast is extended through December 31, 2016. <br />9 <br />Franchises and MOU will both roll-over (i.e. month-to-month) if not renewed by extension date <br />10 <br />(December 31, 2016). <br />11 <br />The pending administrative hearing before the Office of Administrative Hearings, which is part <br />12 <br />of the formal renewal process, will be suspended and all motions withdrawn. <br />13 <br />The formal renewal process may recommence after July 1, 2015, or the closing of the transfer <br />14 <br />whichever occurs first. <br />15 <br />Commitment by the NSCC and Comcast to have at least monthly meetings for the informal <br />16 <br />cable franchise renewal process. <br />17 <br />NSCC will receive 1 HD channel with provisions for channel placement and quality. <br />18 <br />NSCC will have access to the Electronic Programming Guide. <br />19 <br />Refund of approximately $49,000 total to cable subscribers. <br />20 <br />Pending PEG Capacity and Rate Order Violation Notices will be withdrawn. <br />21 <br />I-Net will continue to operate as it currently exists, except Comcast will not be required to <br />22 <br />extend it to new locations. <br />23 <br />The NSCC and member cities will consent to the transfer of the franchise from Comcast to <br />24 <br />GreatLand Connections, the name of the new spin-off cable company that will be serving the <br />25 <br />Twin Cities metro area. <br />26 <br />The agreement is contingent upon the NSCC member cities (1) approving the extension of the cable <br />27 <br />television franchise ordinance through December 31, 2016; and (2) approving the pending cable <br />28 <br />franchise transfer application. The NSCC has recommended that the City approve both the extension <br />29 <br />and the transfer application. <br />30 <br />Page 1 of 3 <br />