1994-09-26 Regular Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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Minutes Regular Meeting La Porte City Council September 26, 1994, Page 2 5. Mr. Rickie Edward of Cenikor asked to speak to Council regarding the Cenikor Foundation. Mr. Edwards resides at 10920 Dogwood, La Porte. Mr. Edwards explained Cenikor is a nonprofit organization assisting people in a drug and alcohol treatment behavioral modification program. Mr. Edwards introduced one of the participants in the Cenikor program Mr. Carl Bellinger who spoke about the program and its potentials. Three other La Porte citizens, Liz Brandt, 1708 Roscoe; Julian Fisher, 3030 Old Highway 146; and Charlie Young, 214 Reynolds, addressed Council regarding Prime Cable. They each were seeking Council's assistance in asking Prime Cable to reconsider their action in removing CNBC and C-SPAN from their program schedule. 6. Council considered approving a resolution stating concerns to Prime Cable Company. City Attorney read: RESOLUTION NO. 94-09 - A RESOLUTION REQUESTING PRIME CABLE, THE CITY'S FRANCHISED CABLE TELEVISION OPERATOR, TO RECONSIDER ITS DECISION TO DELETE C-SPAN AND CNBC FROM ITS PROGRAMMING TO ITS LA PORTE SUBSCRIBERS; FINDING COMPLIANCE WITH THE OPEN MEETINGS LAW; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE HEREOF. City Manager Robert T. Herrera explained this resolution has been brought about because the Council has been receiving several inquiries and phone calls about the concern of removal of C-SPAN and CNBC from the cable program. City Hall as well has received a large number of phone calls referencing the same concerns. Mr. Herrera stated, "I have visited by phone with the General Manager of Prime Cable, Mr. Robert Burns and invited him to the meeting tonight, and he will be more than happy to answer any questions from the Council." Mr. Robert Burns addressed the Council -introducing himself as Bob Burns, Vice President and General Manager of Prime Cable of Houston. Mr. Burns introduced three associates, Kathleen Able, Director of Community Affairs, Jerry Lambert, Director of Regulatory Compliance at the corporate office in Austin, and Dorothy Bryant, Director of Regulatory Accounting, also from the corporate office in Austin. Mr. Burns explained that one feature of the Cable Act of 1992 required cable operators to carry local broadcasters. He said Prime did not add Channel 51 or 57 for sometime because he knew if compelled to add these two channels, Prime would have to remove other stations which had been a part of the channel lineup. Mr. Burns explained that for four years the Nelson Polls which research television viewers nationally stated their survey