HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 03-15-1994 - VIII-J I ! Y
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Action Agenda
Item No._3=-
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: March 15, 1994
SUBJECT: Cable Television Survey
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DEPARTMENT: County Manager PUBLIC HEARING YES: NO: X
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ATTACHMENT(8) : INFORMATION CONTACT: Albert Kittrell
Cable Television Survey Ext. 2300
TELEPHONE NUMBER-
Hillsborough -732-8181
Chapel Hill -968-4501
Mebane -227-2031
Durham -688-7331
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PURPOSE:
To review and approve the Cable Television Survey.
BACKGROUND:
The County Cable TV Citizen Advisory Committee has begun the Cable
TV refranchising process for both cable companies in the County,
Cablevision and CVI. Cable TV franchise agreements with cable
companies expire February, 1996.
One of the statutory franchise renewal requirements of the Cable Act
is a public input element. A public proceeding must be held by the
franchising authority (County) to: 1) identify future cable-related
community needs and interests, and 2) review past performance of
cable operators.
The attached survey, developed by the cable committee, will be
mailed to a sampling of residents in unincorporated areas of the
County. Approximately 3,000 residents will receive the survey.
Residents within the cable service areas and residents outside of
the cable service areas will receive the survey.
Later in they refranchising process, the cable committee will
recommend to the Board of Commissioners that a public hearing be
held to receive more public input.
2
The costs associated with the survey will be $2,200 which includes
envelopes, duplication, bulk rate postage charges for the mailings
and the cost for stamped self addressed envelopes in each mailing.
The cost was not anticipated in the County Manager' s Office budget.
This initiative was developed by the Cable TV Citizen Advisory
Committee after the FY 1993-94 Budget was approved. Funds for
disseminating the survey must be appropriated from the
Commissioners ' contingency fund. This is the first year funds have
been requested for Cable TV related activities.
Renewal of existing cable TV franchise agreements and the new Cable
TV Act, which requires rate regulation administration, will
necessitate expenditures in FY 1994-95. Funds will be budgeted from
Cable TV franchise fee revenues for Cable TV administration in the
upcoming year.
RECOIMNDAT I ON(S) :
The Manager recommends that the Board approve the Cable Television
Survey and appropriate $2,200 from the Commissioners' contingency
fund.
3
FOrange County Cable TV Citizen Advisory committee is conducting a survey
eview the performance of Cable TV companies operating in the County
entify future cable-related community needs. The following 13
will help the committee to determine how you feel about cable TV
in the County. Please complete the survey form and return in the
aid self addressed envelope. should you have questions about the
lease call the orange County Managers office at 732-8181 ext. 2300.
ORANGE COUNTY CABLE COMKITTEE
CABLE TELEVISION SURVEY
1. Does your television have:
cable
satellite dish
_ antenna (outside)
rabbit ears
2. If you have cable, which cable company do you have?
_ Cablevision
CVI
3. If you do not have cable, would you like to get it.
_ yes
no
IF YOU DO MOT HAVE CABLE TV SKIP TO QUESTION 9
4. If you have cable, what kind of reception have you had
within the last year.
_ no problem
_ poor picture
uneven sound level between channels
_ frequent outages
_ other (describe)
5. On a scale of 1 to 9, with 1 being "poor" to 9 being
"excellent" circle the one number that best indicates the
quality of your reception.
POOR EXCELLENT
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
6. What is your experience with customer service?
_ satisfactory
_ long wait for installation
can't get through on the phone
long wait for repairs
billings problems
- other (describe)
-OVER-
IL r
4
7. On a scale of 1 to 9, with 1 being "poor" to 9 being
"excellent" , circle the one number that best indicates the
quality of customer service.
POOR EXCELLENT
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
8. Cable services may be upgraded, what improvements would you
suggest.
the system is fine as it is
get rid of tuner box (converter) and/or separate
remote
even sound levels across channels
less frequent outages
be able to watch one channel and record another
be VCR+ compatible
be compatible with cable-ready TV or VCR
no opinion
other (describe)
9. Would you like to have the following meetings televised.
Orange County Commissioners
yes
no
School Board meetings televised
yes
no
10. What types of new programs would you like to have on cable?
11. Would you like to have local programs concerning Orange
County information and entertainment such as:
High School cultural and sports events
Information from County Government (e.g.
Cooperative Extension Services, Health,
Employment, Library, Recreation and Parks, etc. )
Adult and R through 12 educational programs
Other (describe)
12. Please give the name of the road, street or area where you
reside.
13. Any other comments.