Consent 1.K.
Regular City Council Meeting
- Meeting Date:
- 12/18/2017
- TITLE
- Cable Franchise Extension Agreement
- PRESENTED BY:
- Brent Brooks
- Department:
- Legal
Presentation:
No
PROBLEM/ISSUE STATEMENT
The City and Bresnan Communications, LLC (known as Charter) are negotiating a cable television franchise agreement that will replace one that expired July 9, 2017. The City Council previously approved term extensions to October 9, 2017, and December 18, 2017 so that negotiations could continue.. Staff and Community Channel Seven General manager Tim Harrington have proposed additional revisions to the franchise agreement that require Charter's review and approval. Staff is recommending a franchise agreement extension to March 26, 2018, to conclude the negotiations, present the revisions to the Mayor and Council and allow adequate public notice and hearing for the proposed 10 year renewal. A Resolution providing for and approving this extension is attached to this memo.
ALTERNATIVES ANALYZED
City Council may:
- Approve the extension, or;
- Disapprove the extension, allowing the current agreement to lapse.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The franchise agreement fee is expected to produce about $1.8 million in revenue for the City of Billings for Fiscal Year 2018.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council approve the Resolution that extends the Bresnan/Charter franchise agreement term to March 26, 2018.