City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: OCTOBER 13, 2021
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
FROM: MARK B. JINKS, CITY MANAGER
DOCKET TITLE:
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Consideration of a Resolution to make a recommendation to the City Council whether to initiate a six-month Extended Term of the Comcast Cable Television Franchise Agreement. [ROLL-CALL VOTE]
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ISSUE: Consideration of the proposed cable television franchise extension and fiber use agreement for Comcast of Virginia, Inc. to continue to provide cable television services in the City of Alexandria.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council:
1. Consider a Resolution (Attachment 1) that initiates a six-month Extended Term of the Comcast Cable Television Franchise Agreement ("Franchise Agreement"),
2. Authorize the City manager to implement the renewal and extension of the Franchise Agreement and Fiber Use Agreement with Comcast of Virginia, Inc upon resolution of PEG grant payment and fiber use settlements.
BACKGROUND: In October 2011, the City approved a Franchise Agreement for Comcast of Virginia, Inc. to provide cable television services to approximately 50,000 households and businesses in Alexandria. The 2011 Franchise Agreement consists of an initial term of five years ("Initial Term") with provisions for two extensions of five years each ("Extended Terms"). Approval of the Extended Terms of the franchise must be based on the results of franchise compliance reviews that are conducted by City staff. These compliance reviews consider the degree to which Comcast has complied with the terms of the Franchise Agreement. Under the state and federal laws governing cable television franchises, general consumer dissatisfaction with an incumbent provider's service delivery does not provide the City with enough cause to withhold approval of this second Extended Term.
The City also executed a separate but rel...
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