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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Packet - April 2, 1981 - CC yV 1/1 MEMORANDUM FILE DATE: APRIL 2, 1981 TO: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL FROM: CITY ADMINISTRATOR SUBJECT: REPORT ON CABLE SERVICE RATE INCREASES AND SERVICES As directed at the last City Council meeting, I have investigated the recently announced increases for service by Cable Service of Azusa and the relationship of these to the provisions of our cable television franchise. Attached is a letter from Cable Service of Azusa which addresses the rate increase and authority to institute same, as well as Council concern for the possibility of a burglar alarm or security system. In addition, there was an inquiry regarding the requirement of a franchise that CATV furnish a community channel. They explain they have done this in paragraph 4. This is the channel that runs Council meetings as well as Golden Days events, etc. I have examined the franchise and the Council is correct in that CATV may not increase rates above those specified in the original application without`permission of the City Council. I have also verified that they have not exceeded those original rates with their recent increases, which incidentally have been their first since the inception of the program in March of 1979. Respectfully, -11\ J ; N R. DANGLEIS Lcr2 City y Administrator HP1'/-// /41 JRD:ym V" Attachment '11/ " I (./c) (Pr i REe1VED `- 1 MR " 0 1981 OF AZUSA raBLESERTJirF March 27,1981 Mr. John Dangleis Azusa City Hall Azusa, CA 91702 Dear John: Just a short note to answer some of the questions raised by the council in their last meeting. / Our rate increase that is effective on April 1,1981 is the first , ' increase since the start of service in March of 1979. The original rate was established under the franchise of 1977 and it did not take advantage of the full rate permitted by council under that franchise. Due. to increases in various fees that we are required to pay, we have raised our rate by 7% on the average subscribers bill, which is still below the rate permitted in the franchise. We are very produ of the fact that our services are greatly expanded over those promised in the original franchise and compare? to favoribly to those services offered by other cable operators in the area, and in cases far exceed those offered by others. To address the question of security, at this time the cost for adding i:' security services is more expensive than we feel our subscribers would be willing to pay. As an example a new system in the area is offering an installation cost of $1,000.00 Minimum for a simple system with a $19 .00 monthly charge. We intend to offer alarm services as soon as technology makes it economically practical. Our community channel, 06, runs council meetings, school events, Gladstone and Azusa High football games and various other activities. The Azusa Baptist Church produces two shows per week and we are working with the Azusa Fire Department and the Red Cross to get safety messages to the public. All of these services are at no charge to the producing organization and every subscriber, regardless of the level of service, gets the public channel. I`. hope this will clarify any questions the council had. • racer- • •. .' s, r do •s- lar , Manager 313 NORTH FENIMORE AVENUE • AZUSA CA 91702 • (213) 969-4315