HomeMy WebLinkAbout1979 11-07 Cable TV official gives council tips for franchise talks THE REVIEW Cable TV official
gives council tips
for franchise talks
By MELANIE WAAGE
meet minimum state standards.
A representative of the state's Cable "A public hearing will have to be held
Communications Board appeared before by you (the council) to award fran-
the Maplewood city council Nov.1 to clear chises,"Davis said.The franchise would
up some of the confusion surrounding the have to be adopted as a city ordinance and
entrance of cable television into the city could be reviewed yearly,if the council so
and other St.Paul suburbs. wanted.
ANNE DAVIS told the council that they Davis also recommended that the
should not be alarmed to have their city's council combine with other local corn-
name included in the proposed territory of munitites in a joint powers'agreement to
Capitol City Cable Vision Inc. "It is make a more successful agreement.
merely a means of establishing a cable SOME OF THE council members were
service territory,a geographical area set not convinced the area needs a cable
for accepting the communications," television system.R-rated movies and X-
Davis said. rated movies shown on some cables was a
The company had announced their major concern.Davis said a key could be
intentions before contacting the council or obtained by the adults in the household,to
other city officials.Davis explained that scramble a picture,if they weren't going
is not illegal, since no agreement is to be home and didn't want children to be
necessary in establishing the territory. watching.
The company,Davis said, announced Councilman Burt Murdock asked if
last month that it would like to provide there were some way to determine which
cable television service in 15 St. Paul cable companies were good,and which
suburbs including Maplewood.She said weren't. Davis said some cities were
the council doesn't have to make any hiring consultants to determine that.
commitment, but recommended it "WHY DOESN'T the state do the
establish a citizens advisory group to consulting?" Mayor John Greavu said.
study what type of cable services the city "It would certainly save the communities
might prefer,what types of fees should be a lot of work."
charged,if the city wants to own its own Davis said the board was not mandated
cable operation and other factors. by law to do that.
She explained further that during the Davis said the cities should be selective
next three months the Metropolitan when choosing a franchise,which is why
Council and the Cable Communications they suggested a citizens advisory
Board will be reviewing the company's committee be established.
proposal.The cable board will work with The city's study of its own cable needs
each community mentioned in the and preferences must be completed
proposal to discuss the communities during the next three months to coincide
varied cable needs.At the end of the study with the cable board's decision on the
period, the board will either reject or proposal in December. Involvement by
approve the overall proposal.Davis said the community at this time would mean
not all suburbs would be added into the involvement in the selection of a cable
proposal. company.
THE CABLE BOARD can approve or THE COUNCIL agreed to invite ap-
reject the proposal, but can not issue plications from citizens who would be
cable television franchises in the various interested in the committee. Anyone
communities, Davis said. According to interested should make application with
the board's interpretation of state the council in care of Lucille Aurelius,
statutes,the individual cities will have to city clerk,1380 Frost Ave.,Maplewood.
negotiate with cable companies and Or call 770-4520.
approve franchise agreements. The council also agreed to hold a
These franchise agreements will then discussion with other communities in the
be reviewed by the board to see if they area to find out what their interests are.