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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1980 04-09 Cable TV agreement pending THE REVIEW Cable TV agreement, pending A joint powers agreement to form a cable communications commission composed of area cities is currently pending before the Maplewood and North St.Paul city councils. Both cities within the past week discussed the proposed agreement, but both cities tabled the proposal for future 11 consideration. The idea behind area cities forming a commission to study and form a cable service territory cooperatively is to have a bargaining unit with a population of 100,000 or more persons. The cable communications commission would have the authority to research and recommend the granting of a franchise to a cable company for the provision of cable television services in the communities. The cities invited at this time to enter the agreement include the cities of White Bear Lake,Maplewood,North St.Paul, Oakdale,Lake Elmo,Gem Lake,Little Canada, Willernie, Birchwood, North Oaks, Landfall, Vadnais Heights, Mahtomedi and White Bear Township. The North St.Paul city council,which has already formed a citizens advisory committee to study local cable TV needs, April 7 tabled the proposal because Maplewood did not act on the proposal April 3. North St.Paul City Manager Bob Gatti noted that without Maplewood's approval, North St. Paul would be left "with a gaping hole on three sides"of the city in terms of aligned cable service. He noted the city does favor the agreement,and would like to be aligned with Maplewood as well as other cities in the 622 school district. Upon Gatti's advice, the city council tabled further consideration of the proposal until area city managers and administrators meet again to further discuss the proposed agreement. AT THE APRIL 3 Maplewood city council meeting, the council delayed action on the agreement until Roseville could be contacted to see if that city would be interested in joining in the agreement. The council expressed concern about Roseville being in the same service territory since some Maplewood students attend school in the Roseville 623 school district. Maplewood Mayor John Greavu said, "I think Maplewood should go in with a minimum of cities that are in the two school districts(622 and 623)." Maplewood council members con- curred that city manager Barry Evans should contact Roseville and the com- munities listed in the joint powers agreement to see if Roseville could be worked into the agreement, The city of Roseville has currently submitted a cable service territory proposal to the Minnesota Cable Com- munications Board. This territory en- compasses the northwestern Ramsey County suburbs.