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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSSM111401CITY OF CENTRAL POINT City Council Study Session November 14, 2001 MEETING CALLED TO ORDER Mayor Walton called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. ATTENDEES Mayor: Bill Walton Council Members: David Gilmour, Dick Halley, Kay Harrison, Donna Higginbotham, and Bill Stults were present. Dennis Richardson was absent. City Administrator Jim Bennett and Deputy Recorder Deanna Gregory were also present. III. BUSINESS A. Presentation by Hunter Communications Presenters; Richard Ryan, General Manager, Hunter Communications Scott Bakke, Sales and Marketing Manager, Hunter Communications City Administrator Jim Bennett explained that Hunter Communications has approached the staff about installing fiber optic lines throughout Central Point. They would like to enter into a Telecommunications Franchise Agreement with the City. Mr. Ryan explained that Hunter Communications is a local company with headquarters on Vitas Road. They are dedicated to providing the valley with high speed Internet connection and possibly cable television in the future. He explained the back ground of the company stating that they have run aerial and underground cables and fiber optics throughout the valley including Grants Pass, Klamath Falls, Medford, and Ashland. They have worked with local cable and telephone companies installing lines for those companies. Hunter Communications installed the lines for the Ashland Fiber Network and they are working on a Franchise Agreement with the City of Talent. Mr. Ryan and Mr. Bakke stated that a franchise agreement needs to be in place so they can install fiber optic lines in the City of Central Point. They would like to start at Howard Elementary School in Medford and enter Central Point from that direction. They would begin by connecting School District No. 6, City Hall, the City Shops with high speed Internet connections. After these initial lines are installed, they would like to offer services to local businesses and then offer residential services. They estimate that it would take 18 to 24 months to provide services to School District No. 6, City Hall buildings, and businesses. It would take approximately 36 months for residential services. They plan to tap into the Ashland lines through Medford. The cost of the installation would be passed on to businesses at a later date. The prices of fiber optic lines are very low at this time and they do not think this cost will be high. The advantages to these types of lines are that they eventually will be able to provide services beyond cable TV and Internet connections. In the near future, these lines could be used to read water meters, electric meters, and run "smart home" programs. Discussion: The Council had concerns with contracted labor working in the right-of-way and not replacing or restoring damaged property. Mr. Ryan stated that the Franchise Agreement could specify any concerns the Council had regarding this area. There was discussion about the time frame and promises not kept from other local providers. The Council is very interested in getting competition in the area for cable television and Internet services. Conclusion: City Staff will draft an ordinance establishing a franchise agreement between the City and Hunter Communications for consideration by the City Council at its meeting on November 29, 2001. IV. ADJOURNMENT The Study Session for November 14, 2001, was adjourned at 8:48 p. m.