City of Alexandria, Virginia
________________
MEMORANDUM
DATE: MAY 22, 2019
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
FROM: MARK B. JINKS, CITY MANAGER /s/
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Consideration of a Resolution Concerning the Commencement of Process for Identifying Future Cable-Related Community Needs and Interests and Reviewing the Performance of the Cable Operator. ?[ROLL-CALL VOTE]
BODY
___________________________________________________________
ISSUE: Official notification from Comcast that the company intends to seek a renewal of its
current cable television franchise with the City of Alexandria (Attachment 1).
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council adopt the proposed resolution (Attachment 2) that: (1) acknowledges receipt of Comcast's written request that the cable television franchise be renewed, and (2) begins the process for the community needs assessment to identify future cable needs and the compliance review to determine whether Comcast has complied with the requirements of the franchise. ?The Resolution legally preserves all of the City's rights in the cable television franchise renewal process. ?
DISCUSSION: In October 2011, City Council approved five-year cable television franchise and fiber use agreements that are interrelated and run concurrently. ?The initial term of the franchise is five years, with provisions for up to two extensions of five years (total 15 years). ?Prior to each extension and per federal and state legal requirements, staff must perform a compliance review to determine whether or not Comcast has complied with the requirements of the franchise. Staff previously performed a compliance review in advance of the first extension, which was authorized by City Council in 2016. Separately, a new five-year fiber use agreement was also executed in 2016.
The current review relates to the execution of the second and final five-year extension to the franchise agreement. ?City Council will base its determination on wh...
Click here for full text