Santa Barbara City Cable TV Franchise
Renewal (F)
| Findings & Recommendations | Response |
Actions Completed |
Actions Pending |
| Findings and Recommendations 1 - 8b | Adopted responses of CA and CC. BOS City has neither the staff nor the financial resources to implement any of the recommendations. G |
| 1. The County and its cities have cable TV franchises coming up for renewal within the next 5 years -they should start planning now. | Responsibility of City Administrator. SB Ongoing, routine review and analysis. CA Ongoing, routine review and analysis. Franchise with COMCAST Cablevision reviewed annually. SM Franchise with COMCAST expires Dec.1, 2000. Will work with County and other cities during period of negotiation (approx. 36 months prior to expiration of contract.) L Have begun research and planning in preparation for the franchise renewal process. C |
| 2. The County and its cities should explore establishing a Joint Powers Authority to develop regional telecommunication policies and long-term strategies. | Tried without success in 1994 to establish a Joint
Powers Authority with County and C. Willing to consider development of regional
telecommunications policies and long-term strategies. SB Listed existing cooperative efforts. CA Listed existing cooperative efforts. SM Awaiting changes in technology. Staff meets regularly with County and other cities served by Comcast. L Agrees "absolutely" and would support idea of a multi-city consortium to develop regional telecommunication policies and long term strategies. C GJ's recommendations are timely and pertinent. The Santa Maria Telenet involves representatives throughout the community. TU |
Took the issue of coordinating telecommunications throughout the County to the SBCAG, suggesting a workshop be conducted to get public input on what a countywide effort should entail. SBCAG declined. TU | Currently pursuing idea with BOS. Intend to return to SBCAG at a later date. TU |
| 3. Utilize advise of local telecommunications experts. | Agrees. SB/CA/SM |
| 4. S.B. should consider extending present franchise agreement to Cox in light of changes resulting from recent Telecommunications Act. | Franchise has been extended to 9/14/97, partly as
a result of G.J. report. SB No comment. SM |
Franchise with Cox has been extended to 9/14/97. |
| 5. Citizenry needs to be fully informed and encouraged to participate in franchise renewal process. |
| 6a. SB should send out RFIs to possibly interested telecommunications providers. | Internal discussions have been initiated. SB No comment. SM |
| 6b. SB should consider developing new telecommunications policies and long-term strategy based on Telecommunications Act and on forthcoming FCC rulings. | As above |
| 7. SB should: a) set equal standards for all providers b) manage the finite resources of public infrastructure c) apply consistent policies to all users of the public rights of way. |
Agrees. Franchise with Cox is non-exclusive. SB Supports and endorses principles of equal standards and consistent policies. S.M. |
| 8a. City and Cox should determine future service needs from business community. | Needs assessment in progress by Telecommunications
Management Corporation. S.B. No comment. S.M. |
Needs assessment completed Jan. 1997, copies available to public. Public hearing March 4 1997. SB | SB staff currently negotiating with Cox. Franchise expires Sept. 15 1997. SB |
| 8b. City and Cox should negotiate provision for cable service to all areas of the city. | As above. |