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� MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING <br /> Monday,July 8,2013 <br /> 7:00 o'clock p.m. <br /> (9. CABLE TELEVISION FRANCHISE ORDINANCE NO. 110, Continued) <br /> Levang noted access to public programming is important and the City will do everything in its power to <br /> continue that. Currently the LMCC is saying they will cut Orono and other member cities from their <br /> programming if they pursue direct franchising. Levang indicated the City will continue to work with the <br /> LMCC in an attempt to retain public access and that one of the options is perhaps paying for that service <br /> on an ala cart basis. Levang noted this was not an easy decision and that the Council has worked many, <br /> many hours negotiating the agreement. <br /> Printup stated he would like to thank Council Member Levang and Mayor McMillan for all their work on <br /> this agreement. Printup stated he is committed to transparency and that when he first started on the <br /> Council,the meetings were not taped and the school board meetings were not taped. Printup stated he <br /> wants to be sure that people understand that as it relates to transparency,the Council meetings will still be <br /> broadcast and there will be transparency at the government level. As it relates to the school board <br /> meetings, sporting events, and other community events,Printup stated in his view the ability is there to <br /> continue that service and the Council is committed to continuing to provide that service. <br /> McMillan stated approximately 30 years ago, when the LMCC was first formed,the cities were small and <br /> video was in its infancy. Currently there are a couple of cities in the LMCC whose franchise fees are <br /> upward of$60,000 and other member cities who pay$10,000 for basically the same service. In addition <br /> to the big difference in the fees paid by each member city,there are approximately five cities that are not <br /> totally built out,which have created some real differences within the 17-member JPA. <br /> McMillan stated as a result of that, she came to the conclusion that now is the time for Orono to have a <br /> direct franchise. Currently the Cities of Medina,Mound, and Wayzata have a direct franchise and then <br /> contract with the LMCC to have their government meetings taped and played back on the Internet. <br /> McMillan stated personally it is not as much about leaving the LMCC as it is about having a direct <br /> franchise. Based on a number of reasons,the time has come for Orono to have its own franchise. <br /> McMillan stated she would like to thank Mediacom for coming to the City and offering to help with the <br /> build-out. <br /> McMillan indicated the LMCC kept asking the City Council for input but that she feels the City's input <br /> over the past six to nine months has not been heard. In addition,the City of Medina started giving the <br /> LMCC input prior to that. McMillan stated in her view the LMCC's approach is to maintain the status <br /> quo, but if they do not change voluntarily, change will happen regardless. McMillan commented thirty <br /> years is a long time to hold on to a business model without looking at it and making some changes. <br /> McMillan stated she would like to spend less time tonight discussing why the City is leaving the LMCC <br /> and instead spend more time discussing why the City feels it needs a direct franchise with Mediacom. <br /> One of the great things about the agreement is to provide internet access to those areas of Orono that do <br /> not currently have service. McMillan stated she would like to thank Mediacom for being a partner with <br /> Orono to make that happen. <br /> Anderson stated Mediacom is showing good faith by starting a portion of the build-out this year prior to <br /> the agreement going into effect as well as partnering with the City on the PEG fees. <br /> Page 11 of 13 <br />