NUMB:
980528
VERS:
SUBSTITUTE 1
XXBY:
THE CHAIR
TITL:
Substitute resolution appropriating $30,000 from the Common Council Contingent Fund for the continuation of consulting services relating to a renewal franchise agreement between the City of Milwaukee and Time Warner Cable.
ANLS:
- Analysis -
This resolution appropriates $30,000 for use by the Department of Administration to continue the services of consultants to evaluate procedures and methodology by Time Warner Cable in future applications for approval by the City of regulated rates following the execution of a renewal franchise agreement.
BODY:
Whereas, Pursuant to Common Council Resolution File No. 961746, adopted March 21, 1997, the Director of the Department of Administration, along with the Office of the City Attorney and Office of the City Comptroller, have been engaged in an informal process, authorized under 47 U.S.C. sec. 546(h), to renew the City's current cable television franchise agreement with Time Warner Entertainment LP and its successor in interest, Time Warner Cable of Southeastern Wisconsin, LP (hereafter collectively referred to as "Time Warner"); and
Whereas, Appropriate City officials were authorized, in addition, to retain expert consultant services as necessary to assist in the renewal proceedings, upon prior authorization and approval of the Utilities and Licenses Committee; and
Whereas, The City negotiators have, after having received negotiation directions from the Utilities and Licenses Committee, met numerous times with negotiators from Time Warner to attempt to reach a renewal franchise agreement under the informal renewal process; and
Whereas, The City, after having received prior authorization from the Utilities and Licenses Committee, retained expert consultant services to assist City negotiators during cable TV franchise renewal negotiations with Time Warner; and
Whereas, The negotiators have reached an agreement on a renewal franchise agreement, certain revisions to Chapter 99, Milwaukee Code of Ordinances, which tentative agreement was within the negotiation parameters established by the Utilities and Licenses Committee; and
Whereas, On March 5, 1999, Time Warner provided a contingent commitment to the negotiated renewal documents on resolution of certain rate matters; and
Whereas, In reply to Time Warner's conditional commitment, the Director of the Department of Administration, on March 5, 1999, indicated a willingness to commit to an expedited review of the identified Time Warner rate issues, if Time Warner would unconditionally commit to the execution of the negotiated renewal documents; and
Whereas, On ________________________, 1999, Time Warner provided an unconditional commitment to the execution of the negotiated documents; and
Whereas, Additional funding is required for continued consultant services to address the rate matters identified by Time Warner and to evaluate, for compliance with federal rate regulations, the applications filed by Time Warner for City-regulated rates to be assessed following the execution of a renewal franchise agreement; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that $30,000 is appropriated from the Common Council contingent Fund and placed in a Special Purpose Account under the control of the Department of Administration for continued consulting services related to Cable TV franchise regulation and negotiation.
DFTR:
Department of Administration
RAK
3/23/99