06/02/75 Board of Public Works Minutes

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37 REGULAR MEETING JUNE 2, 1975 income paid to the City in 1966 and 1967 because the three per cent fee isbased on profit and it'was not until 1969 that the first customers were served. Mr. Seitz then asked Mr. White if Valley CAblevision had taken any actions to try to hold operating expenses down in view of the economic picture. Mr. White said they most definitely had. He said they are going to redesign and are eliminating equipment. However, he said it was going to be very difficult to keep up the quality of service without spending more money, because con- struction costs are very,high. Mr. White was questioned about certain channels which are not shown locally,and he explained that they are bound by the F.C.C. Rules and Regulations, but they are trying to reschedule those programs which are not shown, mainly baseball games, and show them on a vacant channel. Deputy City Attorney Arthur Perry then questioned Mr. White about F.C.C. regulations stipulating the number of channels which can be carried. Mr. White said they are presently operating twelve channels, which is what the F.C.C. will allow, but they have the capacity to carry thirty channels. Mr. Perry asked how many new customers have been added in South Bend in the past year and in the past two years. Mr. White said he could not give Mr. Perry that figure since he did not have the breakdown of customers with him.but he would get the information to Mr. Perry. Mr. Perry asked Mr. White if there had been a substantial increase in customers and Mr..White said he felt it was upwards of forty per cent. Mr. White was asked if Valley Cablevision could go to the F.C.C."to request permission to add additional channels. Mr. White said they plan to ask the F.C.C. for a waiver to allow this. Mr. Farrand asked Mr. Whit if Valley has filed petitions for rate increases in other areas they serve. Mr. White said they have not at the present time. They have rude preliminary inquiries in other areas but since South Bend is the largest area they serve, they began in South Bend. Mr. Perry asked Mr. White about the cost of operations in different areas Valley serves and asked if the increase in South Bend would be disproportionate to the operation, so that the South Bend customers would be under- writing the cost in other areas. Mr. White said construction and maintenance costs are higher in South Bend and lower in the smaller communities. Mr. Farrand said he would like to hear a comment from Mr. White in regard to three questions raised by Mr. West; the matter of no feasibility study being made, the divestiture of certain interests and possible non-compliance with any F.C.C. regulations or rulings. Mr. White said he knew of no F.C.C. regulations that were not being complied with. In regard to divestiture of certain interests, Mr. White said this matter is before the Commission now and they have not made a decision as yet. Mr. West then provided the Board with copies of documents and information pertaining to Cable Television. The documents were filed with the Board and Mr. Chapleau was advised that copies would be furnished. to him. Upon motion made, seconded and carried, the Board took the matter under advisement. A decision will be announced in two weeks. REQUEST FOR DOWNTOWN PARKING Stephen McTigue, Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce, was present and asked the Board about their request to allow free parking at meters on Monday nights and Saturdays downtown to help the merchants. Mr. McTigue was advised that the Boad has approved the request for parking in the 100 block of North Michigan. It would take 30 to 60 days and an expenditure of approximately $2500 to purchase new meters for this area, so the Board is considering using