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REGULAR MEETING <br />JUNE 160 1975 <br />Mr. Bazil O'Hagan was present and noted.that one of the reasons <br />for filing the first petition with South Bend was that South Bend <br />was the first City served by Valley CAblevision. It was the <br />first major city in this part oE,ithe country served by Cablevision. <br />The rate structure that was established at the time the Franchise <br />Agreement was approved was one of the lowest rates in effect around <br />the country. Mr. O'Hagan said the rate increase is definitely <br />needed and it seemed appropriate that the first served community <br />would be the first one petitioned for such action. <br />Mr. Farrand noted that the Board is not asking that this be a <br />simultaneous rate increase. The intent of the Board is to assure <br />that petitions are actually filed with each of the other jurisdictions <br />to get some idea that they are actively being pursued. There is <br />nothing in the way this was written to indicate that the rate <br />increases should be granted simultaneously. <br />Mr. Barcome said the Board is particularly concerned about the rates <br />charged in St. Joseph County and Mishawaka, and not so much with <br />those charged in Elkhart, Nappanee or Plymouth. He said he felt the <br />same rate should be established in South Bend, St. Joseph County <br />and Mishawaka. He said it appears, in many things, that South Bend <br />has to carry a larger share. He said he would be willing to meet <br />with the County Commissiones and Mayor Prickett to come up with an <br />established rate for everybody that would be equal. <br />Mr. Harry White, General Manager of Valley Cablevision, said, based <br />on the facts that have been presented to the Board, this rate <br />increase is financially justified. He said it might be difficult <br />to get two other bodies in complete agreement and said he did not <br />agree with the Board's position at all. <br />Mr. Seitz said the Board is concerned about a South Bend resident <br />paying a rate of $6.50 and somebody living just outside the City <br />paying $4.90 for a year or two years. Ile asked why Valley Cable - <br />vision did not request a smaller increase at some earlier time. <br />Mr. White said it is not possible to compare South Bend with <br />Mishawaka or with another jurisdiction. He said he could not <br />anticipate the action of the Board. He said the Board is asking them <br />to go to nine other Boards and get everybody in agreement. He said <br />he has no idea what their decision may be. <br />Mr. Farrand said the matter of a rate hike has been discussed <br />for the past two months. Petitions could have been filed in the <br />other areas during that period. <br />Mr. Silas West said he has done some research on this matter and he <br />did not feel the rate increase was justified. Mr. West then quoted <br />the present rates per month for cable television for other cities <br />in Indiana, ranging from $4.70 to $6.00. Mr. Barcome pointed out <br />that the averages quoted by Mr. West indicate the price here is <br />considerably lower than in the rest of the state. Mr. West said <br />he did not feel South Bend could afford the rate increase. <br />Mr. Farrand made a motion that the statement, as read, be approved. <br />There was no second. Mr. Barcome made a motion that the statement <br />be amended to read "until it has filed similar petitions in such. <br />other counties, towns and cities, specifically St. Joseph County <br />and Mishawaka, Indiana," and approved. The motion was seconded <br />and carried. <br />RECO121ENDATION TO REJECT BIDS - BUREAU OF POLICE CLOSED CIRCUIT T.V. <br />The Board received the following recommendation from Chief Walsh: <br />"Gentlemen: <br />We have studied the Bid proposals as submitted for the <br />1 <br />1 <br />1 <br />