1989/03/28 City Council Minutes (3)Rohnert Park City Council Minutes
March 28, 1989
4:00 p.m.
The Council of the City of Rohnert Park met this date in
adjourned regular session commencing at 4:00 p.m. at 6750
Commerce Blvd., Rohnert Park, with Mayor Cochran
presiding.
Call to Order
The Council convened in the parking lot in front of the
City Offices in order to view a new bus to be used on the
local transit system.
Roll Call
Present: Councilmen Eck, Hollingsworth, Hopkins, Spiro
and Mayor Cochran
Absent: None
Staff present for all or part of the meeting: City
Manager Callinan and Director of Administrative Services
Netter.
New Buses
The Council inspected the new Orion II bus that was on
display in the City Offices parking lot which was brought
down for inspection by representatives of the Sonoma
County Transit System. After inspecting the bus and
participating in ceremonial picture taking, the Council
was given a short ride around the area in the new bus.
Upon conclusion of the bus ride the Council convened in
the City Council Chambers.
Unscheduled Public
Mayor Cochran asked if anyone in the audience desired to
Appearances
make an unscheduled public appearance. No one responded.
Cable Television
Mayor Cochran explained for the benefit of the audience
the relationship of the City with Multivision. He
mentioned the inability of the City to get invovled in
setting cable rates as a result of federal IavI, i h i c h
prohibits city involvement in same. He pointed out that
according to Shearson Lehman, a stock broker firm, that
an investment in cable systems is the best investment to
make. He commented that Pacific Bell is not ready to
discuss the possibility of replacing cable with a fibre
optics system. He commented on an alternate system in
Ukiah which is a voluntary system. He mentioned that
cable franchises operate in most cities with no
competition.
Mr. Bryan Dwyer introduced himself, stating he lives at
802 Camino Colegio. He gave his explanation of the
origination of cable systems and possible alternatives
to same. He suggested that perhaps Rohnert Park could
have a different system than it presently has.
Discussion followed concerning costs of different
systems, where they might, in fact, be in existence
somewhere. Participating in the discussion was Pastor
Chip Worthington.
A wide ranging discussion concerning cable television was
held with different speakers all giving their personal
views as to their feelings towards the local cable system.
Upon conclusion of discussions Mr. Dwyer indicated he
would, in response to the City Council's request, submit
a proposal for an alternate system to the franchised
cable system, which proposal will be reviewed by the City
Council and then scheduled for consideration.
Stephen Troth, 5749 Davis Circle, expressed his annoyance
with the fact that cable companies charge for additional
outlets when the phone company only charges for one
connection to a residence. It was suggested to him that
he contact Congressman Bosco's office in view of the
federal laws which limit the City's authority in
regulating cable.
Hertzel Harrison, 4413 Hamlet Court, gave 'a lengthy
dissertation concerning his experience with Storer Cable
during its rewiring in the city and his annoyance with
the green pedestal boxes that are spread throughout the
community. He reported on his discussions at the time
with City Manager Callinan and representatives of the
cable company.
Pastor Chip Worthington expressed thanks to the City
Council for being responsive to concerns expressed over
the deletion of Channel 42 from the programs offered the
community. He provided the Council with handouts
concerning Channel 42, a copy of which is attached to the
original set of these minutes.
It was suggested file C ity Managei might appoint a staff
member to look at Multivision's record keeping since
Pastor Worthington indicated he didn't think they had
very good records.
George Horwedel, 7769 Camino Colegio, suggested that the
Council form a citizens committee with two (2) Council
members to renegotiate the contract with Multivision. He
pointed out that encouraging antennas is not the answer
since in many condo developments antennas are not
authorized.
Bob Vandercross of Executive Sound, a local business
firm, made some comments and suggested that the City
should negotiate and possibly consider alternatives to
its arrangements with the cable company. He indicated
the big cost is in the cable and its installation. He
stated that cable companies have phenomenal profits. He
said that the City should look at the other side of
deregulation. He indicated that one city in Tennessee
had condemned its sytem.
Joan McCauley, 289 Burton Avenue, appeared and expressed
her interest in getting Channel 42 restored.
Councilman Hopkins made some comments relative to getting
Channel 22 involved in any undertaking that the City
pursues as an alternate to cable tv.
Councilman Hollingsworth took exception to earlier
remarks made by some of the speakers, especially that the
City might have a conflict of interest and not want to
fight with Multivision because the City gets a franchise
fee, comments made about the City Manager not being
committed to protecting the citizens' interests, and he
indicated that the Council's interested in providing all
the channels it can to all the citizens. He said if an
alternative existed that was feasible its promoters would
be beating the City's doors down. He said the City tried
to get for the citizens all the city can from the cable
company with the power the City has under federal law.
He said the next step for citizens to consider is to
solicit Congress to change the law.
Council member Spiro suggsested that citizens should
withdraw their services from the cable company and that
might have some impact on the attitude of the company.
A brief discussion was held concerning the green
boxes that have sprouted versus underground vaults.
Adjournment The adjourned regular session adjourned at approximately
5:30 p.m.
`�_—C i ty Manager , C 1 erk
Mayor