04-13-1992 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE REGULAR ORONO COUNCIL MEETING HELD APRIL 13, 1992 CABLE COMMISSION COMMENTS - CONT. Daniels explained that when the cable franchise was granted in the 1980s, the Cable Commission had control over rates. In.the mid - 1980s a law was passed that took that rate control out of the hands of the Cable Commission and the rates were set by the market place. He explained that cable companies have a non - exclusive franchise, but basically there is only one cable company per area. He noted that there is a bill in the Committee on Energy and Commerce that would give the rate control back to the local cable commissions. Also, when, the franchise is up for renewal, under the current language the franchise need not prove that they have a viable business. He stated that they are proposing new language that would require the cable companies to prove that they are doing an acceptable business prior to the local cable commission granting the license renewal. He stated that Congressman Sikorski has a key vote on the bill, and he asked that the Council pass a resolution urging Sikorski to vote in favor of the proposed language. Goetten suggested they change the language in the proposed resolution to reflect that they urge Sikorski rather than convince him to vote in favor of the bill. It was moved by Butler, seconded by Goetten, to adopt Resolution #3103 urging Congressman Sikorski to vote in favor of the proposed bill that would give control over cable companies to the local Cable Commissions with the suggested amendment. Ayes 5, nays 0. PUBLIC COMMENTS Ralph Tully, Attorney for Nina Wildman, explained that Council adopted Resolution #3018 in September of 1991 approving a final subdivision which granted additional land to Lot 6, Block 2, Foxbend. He stated that the property is torrens property and therefore the resolution could not be filed as adopted. A proposed sale of the property is contingent upon the plat being finalized and he asked that the Council extend the filing deadline date. Mabusth expJalned that there was no problem with the request. It was moved by Jabbour, seconded by Goetten, to add this item to the agenda. Ayes 5, nays 0. It was moved by Jabbour, seconded by Butler, to adopt Resolution #3104 extending the filing deadline date for six months at the applicant's request. Ayes 5, nays 0. 2