Introduce Ordinance #16-14 Granting a Franchise to Qwest Broadband Services, Inc. D/B/A CenturyLink, to Construct, Operate, and Maintain a Cable System in the City of Ramsey

Purpose:  To consider introducing, and finally adopting, an ordinance  granting a franchise to CenturyLink to construct, operate, and maintain a cable system in the City of Ramsey.

Background:  The Quad Cities Cable Communications Commission, on behalf of the member cities of Andover, Anoka, Champlin, and Ramsey, has accepted from CenturyLink (parent company Qwest Broadband Services, Inc.) an application to provide cable television services in the Quad Cities service area.  Commission staff and legal counsel have reviewed the application, legal financial, and technical qualifications; and, completed negotiations with CenturyLink officials securing a franchise agreement that encompasses like features and obligations as the Comcast franchise agreement.  The CenturyLink franchise will allow market competition offering cable television services currently serviced by incumbent operator Comcast.  The Commission passed a resolution on October 20, 2016, recommending approval of the CenturyLink franchise application and agreement by member cities.

Enclosed are the documents for the CenturyLink Franchise Agreement approval by the City of Ramsey.  The documents include:

• Commission Resolution
• Staff memo outlining the agreement
• Legal memo review of franchise application
• Ordinance/Franchise Agreement

Karen George, Executive Director of Quad Cities Cable Communications Commission, will be in attendance at the meeting to make a brief presentation.  Patrick Haggerty, CenturyLink Government Affairs Director, will also attend the meeting and will be available for questions.

 

Staff is recommending Council introduce the ordinance granting a cable television franchise to Qwest Broadband Services, Inc., d/b/a CenturyLink, with final adoption of such ordinance scheduled for December 13, 2016.

Motion to Introduce Ordinance #16-14 Granting a Franchise to Qwest Broadband Services, Inc. d/b/a CenturyLink, to Construct, Operate, and Maintain a Cable  System in the City of Ramsey, Minnesota.