City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: MARCH 29, 2022
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
FROM: JAMES F. PARAJON, CITY MANAGER /s/
DOCKET TITLE:
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Consideration of a Recommendation to City Council for a Resolution to Initiate the Second Five-Year Extended Term of the Comcast Cable Television Franchise Agreement and Five-Year Extended Term of the Fiber Use Agreement.
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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 the Second Five-Year Extended Term of the Comcast Cable Television Franchise Agreement ("Franchise Agreement"), and schedule the Resolution for a Public Hearing and Final Passage on April 23, 2022; and
2. Authorize the City Manager to implement the renewal and extension of the Franchise Agreement and Fiber Use Agreement with Comcast of Virginia, Inc.
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 Term"). Approval of the Extended Term of the franchise must be based on the results of franchise compliance reviews that are conducted by City staff. The first Extended Term was approved by City Council in October 2016 after satisfying a compliance review.
Compliance reviews consider the degree to which Comcast has adhered to the terms of the Franchise Agreement. The City's compliance review is narrowly defined under state and federal laws governing cable television franchises and requires ...
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