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144 <br /> <br />the issue of a differential rate between City and County <br />customers, and the impact of expansion on the system. Mr. <br />Hendrix stated that he felt the City staff did not have the <br />expertise needed for such a study, but added that he felt an <br />outside consultant was also necessary from the standpoint of <br />credibility. <br /> <br />ORDINANCE: <br /> <br />UTILITY RATES <br /> <br /> Ms. Waters made a~motion to approve the utility rate <br />ordinance, using the option of bond financing. Ms. Slaughter <br />seconded the motion. <br /> <br /> Mr. Hendrix stated that he would provide information on <br />what standards other municipal gas companies use for <br />extending lines and Mr. Gouldman stated that he would provide <br />a copy of the current City policy on gas line expansion. <br /> <br /> Ms. Slaughter stated that she felt conservation remained <br />an important issue in reducing costs. <br /> <br /> It was agreed that Council would have input into the <br />charge given the consultant. <br /> <br /> The ordinance entitled ,'AN ORDINANCE AMENDING AND <br />REORDAINING SECTIONS 31-56, 31-57, 31-60, 31-61, 31-62, <br />31-153, AND 31-156 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF <br />CHARLOTTESVILLE, 1990, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO UTILITY RATES, <br />DEPOSITS AND FEES,' was carried over to the next meeting for <br />consideration. <br /> <br />PUBLIC HEARING: CABLE FRANCHISE <br /> <br /> Mr. Toscano reviewed the proposed franchise agreement <br />with Adelphia Cable which had been negotiated on the basis of <br />federal law, the needs of the community, and the performance <br />of the company and noted the following key points in the <br />franchise: it is non-exclusive; a system upgrade to 80 <br />channel capacity in 6 months is required; three public access <br />channels (general, education, and government) are required~ <br />the $50 payment previously required for the lowest tier of <br />service will be refunded~ there will be an open season to <br />allow a change of tiers without a charge; there will be a <br />$110,000 payment to the City (in two payments) for past fees; <br />there are specific customer service requirements; and the <br />franchise will be for five years, renewable for an additional <br />six years upon meeting the conditions of the upgrade. <br /> <br /> Mr. Gouldman stated that the City can require Adelphia to <br />employ a half time employee to facilitate public access. <br /> <br />The public hearing was opened. <br /> <br /> Mr. Bennett Roberts of 615 Hinton Avenue, stated that he <br />felt a new cable company was needed because of poor service <br />and inaccessibility of Adelphia. <br /> <br /> Mr. Greg Newman, 1204 Wellford Street, spoke in support <br />of the public access channels and the system upgrade provided <br />in the franchise. Mr. Newman encouraged the public access <br />coordinator to speak out to community groups and otherwise <br />advertise the availability of the public access channels. <br /> <br /> Mr. Doug Horowitz, 302 Monte Vista Avenue, commended the <br />Cable Committee for its work in ~negotiating the franchise, <br />but expressed concern with the following: the City should <br />strengthen its role as overseer (Section 4.12(c)); the <br />public access channels should be reserved exclusively for <br />non-commercial television; and the half time coordinator <br />should be required. <br /> <br /> As there were no further speakers the public hearing was <br />closed. <br /> <br /> <br />