Title
Authorizing the commencement of the Comcast Cable Franchise renewal process.
Body
WHEREAS, the cable franchise currently held by Comcast of St. Paul, Inc. ("Comcast") is scheduled to expire on or about July 31, 2013; and
WHEREAS, federal law provides that if a cable operator submits a written renewal notice requesting the commencement of a renewal proceeding during the period that begins 36 months and ends 30 months before the franchise is scheduled to expire, the franchising authority shall commence a renewal proceeding not later than 6 months after the date such notice is submitted; and
WHEREAS, Comcast submitted the notice on July 30, 2010; and
WHEREAS, the proceeding must afford the public in the Saint Paul franchise area appropriate notice and participation for the purpose of (A) identifying the future cable-related community needs and interests, and (B) reviewing the performance of the cable operator under the franchise during the then current franchise term; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor has expressed his intent to recuse himself entirely from these proceedings due to a potential conflict of interest, and has appointed the Director of the Office of Finance to act on his behalf in all matters pertaining to the renewal of the Comcast franchise.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of Saint Paul the proceeding required by federal law, 47 USC Section 546(a) is hereby commenced; and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Council and Director of the Office of Finance hereby establish the following Franchise Renewal committee to perform the necessary functions required by law and incidental to this proceeding:
Andrea Casselton, Director of the Office of Technology and Communications, Chair;
Trudy Moloney, Director, Office of Council Research;
Mike Reardon, Cable Communications Officer; and
Lisa Veith, Senior Assistant City Attorney; and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED, the City Council and Director of the Office of Finance hereby authorize this committee and appropriate city staff to undertake all studies and take all actions necessary to conduct the proceeding contemplated by Section 546(a), which actions may be undertaken in concert with other communities in the region, if it appears reasonable to do so; and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED, the City Council and Director of the Office of Finance hereby direct this committee and appropriate city staff to promptly publish notice that the proceeding has commenced, and to establish a process for receiving comments from the public regarding the past performance of Comcast in Saint Paul, and the future cable-related needs and interests of Saint Paul, and be it
FINALLY RESOLVED, nothing in this resolution is meant to prevent resolution of renewal issues through negotiations.
Adopted by the City Council of the City of Saint Paul on __________ , 2010