Laserfiche WebLink
Regular meeting <br /> <br />Approval of Minutes <br /> <br />Public Hearing re: <br />Cable Television <br />Franchise <br /> <br />iCOUNCiIL C~AMBER 7. MONDAY~ JULY 16, 1979 <br /> <br /> The Council met in regular session on this date with the following <br /> members present: Mr, Alhro, Mr, Brunton, Mrl Buck, Mr. Gatewood and <br /> Mrs.0'Brien. AbSent: None. <br /> <br /> -The minutes of the meeting of July 2, 1979 were approved as <br /> presented. <br /> <br /> A public hearing was held on this date to receive public comment <br /> on the delivery of cable television within the City of Charlottesville. <br /> <br /> The City Manager stated that the franchise for cable TV service in <br />the City has expired and the puhlic hearing tonight is on the process <br />the CoUncil will use to award one or more franchises sometime in the <br />near future for cable TV service. <br /> <br /> Mr. Howell Bowen, General Manager of Virginia Television, Inc., <br />made a presentation on behalf of his company as to what he c'ould offer <br />if granted a franchise by the City. He ~stated his company has been <br />operating in Albemarle County as a full fledged television cable <br />company since March, 1977 and has been building one of the most <br />modern and up-to-date cable systems possible. A decision was made <br />early this year to purchase and erect a receive only earth station in <br />order to offer subscribers pay services, including home box office, <br />the first run movies and other entertainment. If the schedule is <br />kept pay cable operation will be ready by late aummer or early fall. <br />C-span with live coverage of Congress will be offered subscribers <br />at no additional charge, subscribers on this~.system receive three <br />channels mierowaved from Washington which is expensive for a cable <br />company, but gives a near perfect pictume. He. asked that the Council <br />allow his company the right to compete in the City with anyother <br />cable company'or companies. He stated his company believes it would <br /> <br />be unwise to require it to wire th~ <br />of time, but would do so if requir, <br />decides on the exclusive franchise <br />opportunity to negotiate for it. <br /> <br /> Mr. Fred Landess, Mr. Joe Pric~ <br />Christianson addressed the Council <br />Division of Multi-Channel TV Cable <br /> <br /> Mr. Price presented a brief hi~ <br /> <br /> entire City over a short period <br />~.d. He stated if the Council <br /> <br /> then his company would like the <br /> <br />~, Mr. Connley and Mr. Jerry <br /> <br /> on behalf of the Jefferson Cable <br /> Company. <br /> tory and outline of Jefferson Cable's <br /> <br />past franchise requirements. He s~ated one of the requirements of <br />the franchise was a total rebuild ~nd the total replacing of the <br />cable and the electronic cable system! in Charlottesville and also the <br />microwaving to improve one channel from Washington. He stated that <br />Jefferson Cable has proceeded to complete that work. He stated he <br />thinks that in the decision for a new franchise the City should <br />consider the past performance of Jefferson Cable. He stated that the <br />franchise required furnishing a 20 forward station channel system and <br />Jefferson Cable has provided 30 forward stations. The microwaving of <br />Channel 5 was required, but the microwaving of Channel 9 was not <br />required, but is being done; the provision of standby emergency power <br /> <br /> <br />