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City of Muskegon
City Commission Worksession
July 8, 2013
City Commission Chambers
5:30 PM
MINUTES
2013-56
Present: Commissioners Gawron, Spataro, Hood, German, Wierengo, Turnquist, and
Markowski.
Absent: None.
CATV Franchise Agreement.
The City’s 25-year cable TV franchise agreement with Comcast expires August 2, 2013.
Legislation adopted in 2007 generally takes franchise negotiations out of local community’s
control and, instead, requires the use of a “Uniform Video Local Franchise Agreement.”
Comcast recently (June 20th) submitted a Uniform Franchise Agreement for the City’s
consideration. The City has 15 business days to respond as to the completeness of Comcast’s
Uniform Franchise application and 30 business days in which to approve the application.
The City of Detroit previously challenged the Uniform Franchise in federal court and that court
has generally found in favor of Detroit. However, final resolution of the Detroit case is several
months away.
Our legal counsel on this matter advises that it is in the City of Muskegon’s interest to: 1) deny
the Uniform Franchise as initially submitted by Comcast and delegate authority to negotiate with
Comcast to the City Manager by adoption of the resolution and, 2) send the attached reply letter
to Comcast.
This item will be on the July 9, 2013 meeting for consideration by the City Commission.
Closed Session
Motion by Commissioner German, seconded by Commissioner Hood to go into closed
session to review applications for the City Manager position.
ROLL CALL VOTE:
Ayes: Markowski, Gawron, Hood, Spataro, German, Wierengo, and Turnquist.
Nays: None.
MOTION PASSES
Open Session
Motion by Vice Mayor Spataro, seconded by Commissioner Wierengo to go into open
session.
ROLL CALL VOTE:
Ayes: Spataro, German, Wierengo, Turnquist, Markowski, Gawron, and Hood.
Nays: None.
MOTION PASSES
Adjournment.
Motion by Commissioner Hood, seconded by Vice Mayor Spataro to adjourn at 7:18 p.m.
MOTION PASSES
____________________________
Ann Marie Cummings, MMC
City Clerk
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