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Home My WebLink AboutAgenda - 11-17-1998 - 9gORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Action Agenda Item No. G~_ ~ ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: November 17, 1998 SUBJECT: Cable TV Franchise Renewal-Update DEPARTMENT: Manager's Office PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) BUDGET AMENDMENT: (Y/N) ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: Albert T. Kittrell, Assistant County Manager TELEPHONE NUMBERS: - -ext. 2300 Hillsborough 732-8181 Chapel Hill 968-4501 Durham 688-7331 Mebane 227-2031 PURPOSE: To receive an update on Cable TV Franchise Renewal discussions and consider whether to extend Time Warner's Cable TV Franchise Agreement in 1999. BACKGROUND: The Cable TV Franchise Agreement with Time Warner was set to expire on February 24, 1996; however, on February 3, 1996 the Board adopted a resolution extending Time Warner's Franchise Agreement 12 months. During the calendar yeaz 1996, staff, county attorney and Cable TV Advisory Committee representatives met several times to negotiate a new franchise agreement. Negotiations were relatively slow and unproductive. The last negotiation session was held on November 20, 1996. On January 21, 1997 the Boazd adopted a resolution extending Time Warner's Cable TV Franchise 12 additional months. In the spring of 1997, Triangle J Council of Governments Cable TV Consortium began negotiations with Time Warner on behalf of Orange County and 16 other local governments in the region. In 1998, the Board did not extend Time Warner's Cable Franchise. During the calendaz year 1998 Time Warner's cable system has been operating without a franchise agreement. TJCOG has continued negotiations with Time Warner. It appears TJCOG will not finalize a cable franchise agreement with Time Warner in 1998. Chick Krautler, Executive Director of TJCOG and Bob Sepe, TJCOG Cable TV Consultant will report on the status of negotiations with Time Warner. RECOMMENDATION: The Manager recommends that the Board (1) continue to permit Triangle J Council of Governments to negotiate with Time Warner for Cable TV Franchise Renewal until June 30, 1999; and (2) maintain the current relationship with Time Warner-no extended or approved Cable TV Franchise Agreement.