08/26/86 Board of Public Works Minutes

Home Browse Search

REGULAR MEETING AUGUST 26, 1986 PUBLIC HEARING DATE SET - HERITAGE CABLEVISION REQUEST FOR BASIC SERVICE RATE INCREASE Mr. Leszczynski advised that pursuant to the filing of Heritage Cablevision's Proposal requesting a $1.50 increase in the basic service rate to be effective September 1, 1986, a Public Hearing date has been set for 9:30 a.m. September 9, 1986. It was noted that Heritage Cablevision submitted their Proposal and request for basic rate increase to the Board on July 29, 1986. Therefore, upon a motion made by Mr. Vance, seconded by Mr. Leszczynski and carried, the Public Hearing date was approved and set. Common Council President Beverlie Beck was present and addressed the Board. Ms. Beck stated that Councilman John Voorde's statement from the Common Council asking the Board of Public Works not to grant Heritage Cablevision's request for an increase was done and taken without pertinent information and is not a blanket endorsement from the Council. She stated that this matter is not a Common Council matter but does respect Mr. Voorde's right to collect signatures in opposition. Ms. Beck stated that she and Councilman Robert Taylor have discussed this matter and wanted the Board to know that the statement and signatures submitted are not a blanket endorsement by the Common Council. She stated that she does see the need for the proposed increase and since this is part of Heritage's proposal to change all the boxes and add the new services, it would be very irresponsible of the City to stop them at this point. She further stated that the Franchise Agreement does call for improvements to be made and she further stated that Councilman Taylor has indicated that he is in favor of competition in the area of cablevision services. Ms. Beck noted that with the Board's approval of the rates at this time, it guarantees that the rates will not increase again until September. She stated that it is her opinion that Heritage has acted responsibly and is trying hard to satisfy customers. Further, individuals are blaming the Common Council for problems when it is up to the Board of Public Works and not the Common Council to accept the rate increase as submitted. It was noted that the Board of Public Works is in receipt of a letter signed by Councilmen Joseph T. Serge, Ann B. Puzzello, Thomas Zakrzewski, James V. Barcome, Al Paszek and John Voorde stating that they wish to formally go on record as being opposed to the proposed rate increase requested by Heritage Cablevision. They stated that they believe that this issue is important to the citizens of our community and therefore urged the Board to deny the request. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 19-1986 - DISPOSAL OF OBSOLETE VEHICLE (POLICE DEPARTMENT) In a letter to the Board, Police Chief Charles T. Hurley advised that Mechanical #709, a 1954 Jeep, has been plagued with mechanical problems, replacement parts are unavailable and the vehicle is becoming too costly to maintain. He further advised that this vehicle has not been driven for two (2) years. He, therefore, requested permission to declare this vehicle obsolete, have it removed from the City vehicle inventory and sold at the public auction to be held on September 6, 1986. Therefore, upon a motion made by Mr. Leszczynski, seconded by Mr. Vance and carried, the following Resolution No. 19-1986 was adopted: RESOLUTION NO. 19-1986 WHEREAS, it has been determined by the Board of Public Works that the following Police Department vehicle is no longer suitable for the purpose for which it was intended and no longer needed by the City of South Bend: f] 1