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ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING <br />MINUTES FOR AUGUST 281, 1995 <br />• ROLL <br />The Council met on the above date with the following members present: Mayor Edward <br />Callahan, Jr., Council Members, J. Diann Goetten, Gabriel Jabbour, Charles Kelley, and <br />JoEllen Hurr, who arrived after the vote of the Consent Agenda, item #1. Representing <br />Staff were City Administrator Ron Moorse, Public Works Director John Gerhardson, <br />Building and Zoning Administrator Jeanne Mabusth, Assistant Planning and Zoning <br />Administrator Michael Gaffron, City Attorney Tom Barrett, and Recorder Sherry Frost. <br />Mayor Callahan called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. <br />( * #1) CONSENT AGENDA <br />Items #6, 10, and 11 were added to the Consent Agenda. <br />Goetten moved, Kelley seconded, to approve the Consent Agenda as amended. Ayes 4, <br />Nays 0. <br />( #2) LAKE MINNETONKA COMMUNICATION COMMISSION'S PROPOSED <br />1986 BUDGET - JIM DANIELS <br />Jim Daniels, Cable Administrator, and Commissioner Tim Pattrin, were present to relay <br />information to the Council on the Lake Minnetonka Communication Commission's <br />budget for 1996, which was recently approved by their commission. <br />is The Council was informed of a bill passed in the Congress concerning local programming <br />and maintaining the right of way easements under local control. A refund of $100,000 of <br />cable fees was made this past year to reflect reduced basic rates to subscribers. A refund <br />of State government tax was also received. The Disney Channel was moved to a tier 2 <br />service from a premium status resulting in cost reduction to subscribers. The Council <br />was notified that an opening was available for televising an 8th city council meeting, if <br />interested. <br />Kelley questioned the number of subscribers and increase in subscribers, whether <br />members were surveyed of their satisfaction with their cable, how the funding is <br />originated for the commission, and if balance sheets were available for review. Jim <br />Daniels informed Kelley that there were approximately 7300 subscribers among the 15 <br />communities served. Although the commission has no access to information on the <br />number of members lost, a complaint process is in place. The commission has two <br />representatives from each community on its board. The commission is funded from a 5% <br />franchise fee received from the gross profits of the cable companies. Information on the <br />commission budget and balances are supplied to the cities involved on a quarterly basis. <br />A fund is available for unforeseen costs such as audits and lawyer fees. <br />Callahan asked about proposed congressional legislation, which Daniels said is expected <br />• to pass as stated with major impact on cable service. <br />1 <br />