SR-501-002 (3)
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City council Meeting 3/8/88
Santa Monica, californi~
8 1988
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: City staff
SUBJECT: Cable Television Franchise Status
Introduction
This item recommends that the city council direct staff to
continue discussions with Century Southwest Cable Television,
Inc. to develop a more precisely worded proposed settlement and
franchise agreement prior to having public discussion and Council
consideration of any proposal.
Background
As described in previous staff reports, City staff have been
negotiating with Century Southwest Cable Television, Inc.
regarding
possible
franchise
proposal
for
agreement
a
recommendation to the City Council.
While substantive agreement has been reached on the major points,
Staff feels it is important to have the precise language of any
proposed agreement signed off by Century prior to pUblic
discussion and Council consideration of the item to prevent
possible misunderstandings about the nature or intent of the
suggested provisions. To date, the city has only received verbal
concurrence by Century to the discussion points.
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It is important to note two key factors related to staff
. . discussions to date:
1) It has been made clear to Century representatives that the
City Council is the sole and necessary approving body to any
proposed franchise agreement.
2) Discussions with Century have included recent concerns raised
over customer service response problems and clarification of
the implementation procedures which will affect Santa Monica
subscribers during the upgrade of the City's cable system.
Recommendation
It is recommended that:
1) The City Manager and City Attorney be directed to prepare a
~ draft franchise and settlement agreement for Council review
and consideration.
2) The City take no action against Century to enforce either the
expiration or termination of the franchise until May 11, 1988
pending extension of the existing waiver by Century and the
City that the delay will not waive any rights of either
party.
Prepared by: Lynne C. Barrette, Assistant City Manager
(franchse)
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