1996-03-18 Special Called Regular Meeting

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• • Minutes Special Called Regular Meeting La Porte City Council March 18, 1996, Page 3 Ms. Kathleen Able, Director Community Affairs for Prime Cable, answered questions from Council. Ms. Able stated, "My counter part at TCI is Jill Mack, who is out of town, and unable to be with us tonight. She asked that I extend her regrets, and she is sorry she could not make it tonight. What this will do to rates and services is very little. The only channels which TCI plans to change are two premium movie channels. They are going to swap for two different ones because cable companies, in order to provide any given channel, have to have a contract with the provider of that channel. TCI does not have contracts with the Movie Channel or Flex. They will switch those two out for two other premium movie channels. The rates will remain virtually the same. The personnel will remain virtually the same. Initially, the only change you will see is the letter head on the bill. Councilperson Clarke asked Ms. Able if she would remain the franchise representative. Ms. Able stated, "I don't know that Sir, as it will either be myself or a woman named Veloria Spencer." Councilperson Cooper asked if C-Span would remain the same. Ms. Able stated, "There will be no changes to C-SPAN. You will keep getting both of them." Mayor Pro Tem McLaughlin asked if TCI will offer a Senior Citizen discount? Ms. Able stated, "TCI will continue with the current rate structure Prime Cable has. All cities which have Prime Cable services do have a Senior Citizen discount in place now. All you have to do is call in. You are suppose to go by and show your drivers license, prove you are 65 or older, and you will receive roughly a $3.00 discount off your monthly bill. TCI will honor all of the contracts and obligation which Prime has already made. It is certainly something that you would be welcome to consider come franchise negotiation time, not to suggest things to throw on the table." Councilperson Sutherland asked Ms. Able when the change to TCI was projected. Ms, Able said, "Projected for around May 15th." Councilperson Sutherland said, "We as a Council have seven months to determine how we like the new TCI operation, because the extension is only granted to the end of this year." Motion was made by Councilperson Sutherland to agurove Ordinance 96-2095 as read by City Attornev. Second by Councilperson Cooper. The motion carried, 6 ayes, 0 nays. Ayes: Councilpersons Sutherland, Cooper, Thrower, Maxwell, Clarke and Mayor Pro Tem McLaughlin Nays: None