05/31/83 Board of Public Works Minutes

Home Browse Search

10tZ3 REGULAR MEETING MAY 31, 1983 office is open until 6 p.m. each day.to handle complaints, including billing problems, and a computer is utilized to handle subscriber information and complaints. For unique customer.problems, Mr. Moss advised that a "Customer Action Memo" is completed and a supervisor makes a personal. inspection, accesses the problem and corrects the situation as quickly as possible. The Board was advised that it is the goal:of.ICC to service subscriber complaints the same day they are received, but that at the ena of any given day, approximately two to three subscriber complaints remain unresolved. Mr. Moss considers this a good record and good response time. Mr. Hill stated that the franchise currently held by ICC would expire in August of 1986. By applying for a renewal now, the new strigent standards of the recently enacted Cable Television Franchising ordinance would apply. He inquired of Mr. Brunner, based on that fact, why ICC is applying for a renewal at this time. Mr. Brunner indicated that ICC and. Heritage is aware of the new stringent conditions of the ordinance and that ICC is requesting a franchise renewal at this time in order to consummate the transaction ICC has with Heritage for the transfer of the franchise. Citibank, the lending bank in the transaction, has made it a condition that the loan be secured by a franchise that runs for the duration of the loan period. Therefore, the franchise renewal requested at this time is required in order for there to be a successor to ICC. Mr. Brunner further advised the Board that based on the broader definition of gross revenue contained in the new ordinance an amount of $24,000, will be paid to the City starting with the initiation of this new franchise. If it is determined at a later date, by the FCC and Congress, that the percentage rate be raised to 5%, the City could receive as much as $100,000.00 per year. Mr. Brunner advised that the franchise agreement which ICC is currently under does not contain this broader definition and therefore does not require this additional amount to be paid to the city. Mr. Hill asked Ms. Pfotenhauer to advise the Board of the criteria used in determining the application of ICC and Heritage. She.advised that the criteria considered were legal character, financial stability and technical expertise of the applicant. Based on this information, it is ascertained whether or not the applicant is competent to operate the franchise. Ms. Pfotenhauer further advised the Board that any franchise approved under the ordinance is a non-exclusive franchise and that.other cable TV companies would receive a non- exclusive franchise also if they meet the standards and conditions set out in the ordinance. She further advised that the franchise period is for fifteen (15) years. There being no one wishing to speak further on the matter, upon a motion made by Mr. Leszczynski, seconded by Mr. Kernan and carried, the public hearing on this matter was closed. Upon a motion made by Mr. Hill, seconded by Mr. Kernan and carried, the joint franchise application of Indiana Cable - vision, Inc./Heritage Communications, Inc.. was approved as submitted and a Cable Television Franchise Agreement with ICC was presented to the Board for approval and execution authorizing the renewal of the franchise.