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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1972/10/24 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - RegularMINUTES SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL r]EE TING ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA October 24, 1972 The meeting was called to order by Mayor Pucci at 7:05 p.m. Members present: Frank Fleetham Richard Graves Rose -Mary Griak Lyle Hanks James Heltzer Leonard Thiel Frank Pucci Tom O'Meara) Chairman Dr. Robert Ramsey John Wordelman Mary Richards Stan Holmberg Robert Brooks (consultant) Also present were City Manager and City Attorney. The Mayor opened the meeting by reading a statement relative to the Citizens Study Committee and commented on his basic concerns regarding the Committee's evaluation and -recommendations of cable firms. The Council then discussed whether the meeting should be a closed work session or a public meeting. Mayor Pucci asked if it would be legal to have such a meeting. Mr. Popham, City Attorney, responded that the Council members could confer privately only where no action was taken. It was pointed out that the Council members could properly discuss matters relating to negotiation procedures and strategy out of the presence of the parties with whom the City is negotiating. To discuss the strategy of the City in the presence of the adverse parties would be clearly meaningless and adverse to the public interest. Councilman Thiel could see nothing wrong with a work session as long as the City Manager and City Attorney were present and minutes were taken. Councilman Griak then suggested that the Council meet first with the Committee and then hold a Council work session. Mr. Tom O'Meara, Chairman of the Committee, made opening remarks concerning the Committee's report to the Council. He briefly reviewed the committee's repot with the Council and pointed out that each committee member took a different aspect on which to concentrate. Management, technical, financial and rates were aspects simplified out for special concentration, The Committee attempted to research the applications and applicant companies in such a way as to determine which companies exceeded the basic criteria* It was pointed out that the final decision of the Committee was unanimous. Other questions researched by the Committee were: the ability of each applicant to ensure interconnections; each company's experience, xyhat other types of franchises held; and the amount of staff experience ati-ailable . 341 f .ouncil liinutes, OcLober 24, 1972 Mr, Stan Holmberg reported that all applications requirements and that financial abilitiesseemds had met the basic financial of the companies. to be no problem with any Dr. Robert Ramsey reported on the programming aspect of the Committee's work. It was pointed out thZt St. Louis Park residents might be more demanding than residents in other areas with CATV because the major networks cGn be received by antenna. Cypress %eemed to have best access in programming because of their merger with Warner, according to tue Committee's report, Councilman Heltzer asked if there was any difference in the ability of the applicants to handle interconnectability if necessary in the future. Mr. Brooks responded that all companies indicated complete compliance with the ordinance and, therefore, could interconnect with neighboring suburbs if required. He added, however, that some had directly stated this and others has implied it ty complying with the ordinance. Dr. Ramsey added that the Committee felt a studio should be set up in St. Louis Park so residents do not have to go to Minneapolis to present a program for television. The local studio should have a full staff in St. Louis Park. Councilman Heltzer stated that he could see no way cable television would be able to compete with the major networks in this area. Councilman Thiel suggested that the Council observe each company's programming in other communities. Councilman Fleetham agreed with this suggestion and suggested that the CATV issue should be kept "in the open" as much as possible. He furtaher asked that the Council make recommendations to the legislature on laws which would reinforce the City's ordinance. Councilman Griak asked how close the seven applicants were in the opinion of the Committee. Mr. O'Meara responded that the applicants were not ranked one to seven but the Committee picked rhe two it felt best qualified within the criteria it selected to evaluate. Mr. Brooks pointed out that some of the companies may lack some of the specific information asked .for by the Council. He stated that several of the applicants do not seem to co*Lnply with Section 44 of the ordinance and two apparently did not comply with the time schedule set by the City Council. Councilman Thiel suggested that a workshop session be set up and the Council establish procedural "ground rales" for the selection of a company for the franchise. Councilman Graves asked if the City could advertise the public hearing for ham reviewed the Charter November 20th without naming a company. Mr. Pop requirements and stated that this could be done. The Council would have no less than 20 and no more than 60 days to pick a company for the franchise. If a decision is not reached in that time, ng a public me, the process of holdi hearing will have to be repeated. 342 Council Minutes, October 24, 1972 Mr. Brooks said that Committee and thanked thanked Mr. Brooks an the Committee. he was impressed with the thoroughness of the them for the work they had done. Mr. O'Meara d the Manager's Office for their assistance to It was moved by Councilman Graves that a public hearing on granting it be set for November 20, 1972. The meeting was adjourned at 9: Attest: and seconded by a CATV franchise Motion passed 7 Councilman Heltzer be advertised and 0. William M, Radi6, Actg. Secretary 343