Adopt 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 adopt 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

The City Council received a presentation at their November 22, 2016 meeting from Karen George, Executive Director of Quad Cities Cable Communications Commission, and Patrick Haggerty, CenturyLink Government Affairs Director.  Following such presentation, Council introduced 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.  Such Ordinance is now before you for formal adoption. 

Staff is recommending Council adopt the ordinance granting a cable television franchise to Qwest Broadband Services, Inc., d/b/a CenturyLink.

Motion to waive the City Charter requirement that the Ordinance be read aloud and adopt 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.

Roll Call: 
   Councilmember Williams
   Councilmember LeTourneau
   Councilmember Kuzma
   Councilmember Shryock
   Councilmember Riley
   Councilmember Johns
   Mayor Strommen