07-08-2013 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE • ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday,July S,2013 7:00 o'clock p.m. (9. CABLE TELEVISION FRANCHISE ORDINANCE NO. I10, Continued) Tom Bergeson indicated he is in the process of moving back to Orono after being gone for 25 years. Bergeson stated he was told he would have Internet service prior to signing the purchase agreement and then later found out that he does not have service. Bergeson commented he was rather dumbfounded to find out that in this day and age there are sections of Orono that do not have service. Bergeson indicated he would like to get broadband service since it is important to his business and his personal life. Bergeson indicated he would be willing to pay to have it run 300 feet up to his house. Bremer stated the comments tonight are reflective of the conversations of the Council and that this was a process that took some time to go through. Bremer indicated she is still not over her concerns about losing public programming. Bremer indicated she grew up in New Ulm, which has internet everywhere, and that she moved to Orono in 1999. Bremer stated she initially heard about this issue on the Planning Commission and that in her view it is remarkable there are people who do not have access to the Internet in this day and age. Bremer stated she initially started this process with the belief that Mediacom was stonewalling, and that if the City could just get a different provider in here that would help. Bremer stated she has come to realize that a direct franchising relationship would allow flexibility on both sides. Bremer stated the overwhelming comments for the past six years have been from residents who have complaints about not having access to the Internet. Bremer indicated the Internet allows her to periodically work from home,which is true for a number of other people, and was also a factor in her decision. Bremer stated the one difficult item in this process is the potential loss of programming and that all members of the Council are committed to public access. Bremer stated the City will do whatever it can to ensure public access will continue and that they will use the City's three channels the best way they can by attempting to continue to provide access to the community's favorite programs. Bremer indicated she personally watches a lot of the local programming and that she, as well as everyone else on the Council, values it. Bremer stated this process was not just about saving money but rather about obtaining access for the residents who live in the19 miles throughout the City that do not currently have the ability to access the internet,which should be the number one point that is taken away from this process. Levang noted she is a sitting member on the LMCC and that she, along with the Mayor, have put a lot of time and effort into the ftanchise process. The Council did not walk into this lightly but what was of concern is the 19 miles that are not built out in the community. The LMCC has been asked to tackle that issue but hasn't. Mediacom has committed to extending their service in 2013 five additional miles in a good faith gesture. The City has received many calls and e-mails, as well as petitions, from citizens begging for service. Levang stated as an elected member of the community, she takes very seriously what her constituents want, and they want cable. Levang stated the Council is listening to the citizens, and while there are citizens who take issue with what the Council is doing,they need to look at what is best for the overall community. Levang stated the City must have a full build-out, and with the LMCC, that was never guaranteed. The LMCC was asked what their commitment to the build-out was in Orono. The LMCC could not give the City a guarantee,which was one of the reasons that drove the City to negotiate a direct franchise. Page 10 of 13