07-08-2013 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ' ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday,July 8,2013 7:00 o'clock p.m. (9. CABLE TELEVISION FRANCHISE ORDINANCE NO. 110, Continued) Mediacom currently offers a number of services, including basic broadcast,which is Channels 2 through 22; a family TV package up to 102 channels, plus HDTV channels; pay per view; video on demand; digital audio/music; and digital video recorders. By reinvesting in infrastructure, Mediacom ensures its customers it will continue to provide good internet service. Other services include free nationwide calling to 100-plus countries, commercial internet and telephone service for business customers, night and weekend appointments, a 90-day money back guarantee, and boundary free TV. McMillan noted year one of the build-out consists of approximately five miles and includes County Road 6 and Old Crystal Bay Road. Year two will include Stubbs Bay Road and Watertown Road, and year three will include a couple of different pockets. Loftus noted year one starts in 2013. Mattick noted the build-out basically goes 5, 5, and 9 in terms of miles. Mattick stated one of the things to keep in mind from Mediacom's perspective is that there is a certain logical way to extend their services and so the City is allowing Mediacom some discretion in choosing the order of the build-out. McMillan opened the meeting for public comment at 7:40 p.m. Dee Scott, Mound, stated she was a teacher in the Orono School District for 30 years and that Orono is a community that has high standards and has achieved a number of accomplishments over the years. Scott indicated she watches LMCC Channel 12 to see the concerts, school programs, festivals and City Council meetings. Scott stated she is disappointed to see that the Orono City Council is looking at getting rid of Channels 8, 12, 20, and 21 and that she will not be able to watch the City Council meetings, school board meetings, school events, church services, election coverage, and community events such as festivals, parades, concerts, and election coverage. The LMCC offered over 40 programs this year for election coverage and over 400 programs for public access,which provides the residents an opportunity for free speech. Scott noted after she left the Orono School District, she started volunteering at the LMCC and that it is a wonderful resource with lots of opportunities. Public access was set up to allow the citizens to state their views. Scott stated as wonderful as the Orono schools are, she finds it hard to believe that this Council would choose to take that off the local channels. In addition,the school district has TV production classes through the LMCC for free. The transparency that is needed in our society relating to government and school board is available through the LMCC and the residents need that access. Scott noted the fees are collected from the subscribers and are meant to give the citizens freedom of speech as well as allow the community the opportunity to view what is happening on a local level. Scott stated she understands the money part but that the Council needs to consider what it will cost the community and the churches. Scott indicated she is also worried about customer complaints and customer service. Under the current system, if Mediacom and the customer cannot come to an agreement,they are able to go to the LMCC for assistance. Scott commented she hopes the Orono City Council will keep their high standards and retain the local programming for this community. Page 8 of 13