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5 who will provide the service. Mr. Brown said the City could grant a short franchis e in order to see if the provider has the ability to meet the needs. Mr. Schilling asked if any companies of national status have expressed an interest in Charlottesville and whether there was competition when Adelphia was previously granted a franchise. Mr. Brown said he is not aware of any interest, but said there is some speculation that some competitors may be laying low to see the result of Adelphia bankruptcy. Mr. Brown said there were no competitors when Adelphia's franchise was granted. Mr. Sch illing said he thinks it is questionable to spend that amount of money if no one else is there to step in. Mr. Brown said he thinks Charlottesville is a lucrative enough market that there will be interest, and added that the needs assessment will still be valid in that case. Mr. Brown said the financial audit which will be done as part of the assessment is necessary to protect the City, and said that if the City does not have evidence and documentation it will be hard to require certain things in the fran chise. Ms. Richards said she thinks it would be extremely shortsighted not to reassess the community's needs after ten years and feels it is necessary to ensure that whoever the provider, they are the best ones to provide the service to the City. Ms. Ric hards said we need to have the best information and plan and look to the best competitive market. Responding to a question from Mr. Lynch, Mr. Brown said the annual franchise fee is 5% of Adelphia's gross revenue in Charlottesville, approximately $80,000 per quarter. Mr. Lynch said he thinks the money for the needs assessment is a good investment to protect the community's interest, especially considering the amount of revenue generated from the franchise fee. Mr. Brown said he thinks it will be a challe nge to get competition, but agreed that it would be good. Mr. Cox said he hopes Albemarle County is assessing their needs in the surrounding growth area. Ms. Richards asked that a report be made to Council on the public access center, where use has explo ded, in order to get a better idea of needs in that area. ORDINANCE : CLOSING ALLEY BETWEEN 1202 AND 1206 MONTICELLO AVENUE Mr. Ron Higgins, Planner in Neighborhood Development Services, said that the Planning Commission recommended denial of the alley closing because of the opposition of neighbors. Mr. Lynch made a motion to deny closing the alley between 1202 and 1206 Monticello Avenue, Mr. Caravati seconded the motion, and it was denied by the following vote. Ayes: Mr. Caravati, Mr. Cox, Mr. Lync h, Ms. Richards, Mr. Schilling. Noes: None. CONSENT AGENDA On motion by Mr. Lynch, seconded by Ms. Richards, the following consent agenda items were approved by the following vote, with Mr. Schilling abstaining from voting on approval of the minutes o f June 17, 18 and 20, and Mr. Cox abstaining from voting on the Carlton Road rezoning due to a potential conflict of interest. Ayes: Mr. Caravati, Mr. Cox, Mr. Lynch, Ms. Richards, Mr. Schilling. Noes: None.