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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-10-14 - AGENDA REPORTS - AMEND TIME WARNER FRANCHISE (2)Agenda Item: /6100 CITY OF SANTA CLARITA AGENDA REPORT PUBLIC HEARING City Manager Approval: Item to be presented by: Barbara Boswell DATE: October 14, 2003 SUBJECT: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA TO SIGN AN AMENDMENT TO THE CABLE TELEVISION FRANCHISE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA AND TIME WARNER ENTERTAINMENT - ADVANCE/NEWHOUSE DEPARTMENT: Administrative Services RECOMMENDED ACTION City Council conduct public hearing, introduce an ordinance entitled, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO SIGN AN AMENDMENT TO THE CABLE TELEVISION FRANCHISE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA AND TIME WARNER ENTERTAINMENT - ADVANCE/NEWHOUSE, and pass to second reading on October 28, 2003. BACKGROUND For the past two and one-half years, staff has been preparing for the renewal of the City's Cable Franchise agreements with Comcast, formerly AT&T, and Time Warner Communications. The County of Los Angeles originally granted the agreements in August of 1987, just before the City's incorporation in December of 1987. With incorporation, the City adopted the franchises set forth. At the June 10, 2003 meeting, the City Council took action to extend the expiration of the Time Warner Cable Television Franchise Agreement from August 1, 2003 to November 7, 2003. The purpose of this action was to extend the expiration date of Time Warner's Franchise to coincide with the expiration date of Comcast's Franchise Agreement. 4. 4' �idif� While staff and representatives of Time Warner have made progress in their renewal discussions, the complexities associated with the renewal process, coupled with current franchise issues that have yet to be resolved, dictate the need to extend Time Warner's Cable Franchise Agreement. Therefore, staff believes it is appropriate to extend the expiration of the City's Cable Franchise agreement with Time Warner to April 30, 2004. Extending the agreement with Time Warner will not modify the existing context of the agreement, other than extending the duration of the franchise, and provides adequate time for staff and representatives of Time Warner to resolve all matters associated with the Franchise renewal process. ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS 1. Do not approve franchise extension. 2. Other action as determined by City Council. FISCAL IMPACT There is no fiscal impact associated with the extension of this Franchise Agreement. ATTACHMENTS Ordinance CITY OF SANTA CLARITA NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN: A Public Hearing will be held before the City Council of the City of Santa Clarita in the City Hall Council Chambers, 23920 Valencia Blvd., ls` Floor, Santa Clarita, California, on the 14`s day of October, 2003, at or after 6:00 p.m. to consider extending the duration of the City's Cable Franchise Agreement with Time Warner from November 2003 to April 2004. Extending the Cable Franchise Agreement with Time Warner will not modify the existing context of the agreement other than extending the duration of the franchise. Proponents, opponents, and any interested persons may appear and be heard on this matter at that time. Further information may be obtained by contacting the Administrative Services Department, Santa Clarita City Hall, 23920 Valencia Blvd., Second Floor, Santa Clarita, CA. 91355, (661) 255-4923 - Stacie House, Administrative Intern. If you wish to challenge this action in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing described in this notice, or in written correspondence delivered to the City Council, at, or prior to, the public hearing. Dated: October 1, 2003 Sharon L. Dawson, CMC City Clerk Publish Date: October 4, 2003 PHFranchisextend