02-25-1992 CATV Franchise Public HearingMIAMI SHORES VILLAGE
CATV FRANCHISE PUBLIC HEARING
FEBRUARY 25, 1992
The CATV Franchise Public Hearing of the Miami Shores
Village Council was held on Tuesday, February 25, 1992, at
the Miami Shores Village Hall commencing at 7:32 p.m. with
the following members present:
Mayor Johnson
Henry T. Courtney
Herb Spahn
Stephen Loffredo
Robert Cook
Also present: Gall Macdonald
William F. Fann
ITEM *1 DISCUSSION REGARDING THE PROPOSED CONGRESSIONAL
DISTRICTS. Mayor Johnson described 2 maps showing the proposed
changes reflected by Senate Bill 1384 and House Bill 2217. He
stated that the redistricting Is proposed for creating districts
by minority population. He stated the proposed plan Is
preposterous. Mayor Johnson asked everyone in Dade County to
contact their legislator to tell them that the plan is not
acceptable. Mr. Loffredo reviewed the redistricting plan, the
ethnic make-up and location of each district on the maps
provided. He also discussed the Voting Rights Act. Mr. Jack
Freeman stated that the plan is a federal mandate and that it
could be worse. Ms. Betty Lasch stated that legislators are
concerned with the proposed plan and that the federal government
will make the final decision.
ITEM *2 PRESENTATION BY STORER CABLE COMPANY REGARDING THEIR
FRANCHISE AGREEMENT WITH THE VILLAGE. Ms. Macdonald reviewed
the background. She stated that our agreement with Storer
expires March 21, 1994..She also reviewed the three stages of
the franchise renewa.i process outlined In the Federal Cable
Act. Ms. Macdonald introduced Mr. Anthony Bello, Director of
Business Development, for Storer Cable Company. Mr. Bello asked
for public Input first before he made his presentation.
ITEM *3 PUBLIC COMMENTS
Mr. Jack Freeman: Spoke about the Village not going
Into the cable business. Stated he
was happy with Storer.
Ms. Christine Sturchal: Welcomes competition for cable TV.
Asked about billing and stated
programming leaves alot to be
dc's i red .
Mr. Frank Nowlan: Not Interested In cable TV at all.
Ms. Betty Lasch: Asked for better price for cable.
Mr. Jim Condit: Asked about the Village taking over
the cable system.
Mayor Johnson reviewed the discussion from the Cable TV Workshop
that the Council conducted on 1/14/92.. He also reviewed the
background of the Niceville, Florida situation and how it
compares to Miami Shores. Mr. Bello spoke about parental
control devices to block certain programs. described the
present system stating that the system was built In 1979
providing 38 channels. He stated that the system now provided
60 channels and that Storer Is rebuilding the system with a
construction time of 2 years. Mr. Bello stated that Storer Is
In only 50% of the homes In Dade County and competes every day
with video rental and the Networks. He stated that Storer vowed
not to raise the cost to consumers of cable more than 5% per
year or the consumer price Index. Mr. Bello reviewed the ways
that Storer supports the Village. Mr. Spahn asked about up-
grading Storer's equipment. Mr. Bello stated that new equipment
will include addressability (where the cable company makes
subscription changes at the transmitter and not at the home).
Mr Cook asked about 2 way communication and the phone company
getting into the cable tv business. Mr. Bello responded. In
response to an additional question by Mr. Cook, Mr. Bello spoke
about the now abandoned system called Viewtron. Mr. Loffredo
asked about the cost to string new cable. Mr. Bello replied
that to replace all trunk cable with fiber optics will cost 27
million dollars and take 2 years to complete. Mr. Courtney
asked what the franchise fee was last year. Ms. Macdonald
replied approximately $27,000. Mr. Courtney asked why rates are
going up. Mr. Bello replied that programming, Insurance and
operating costs are rising. Mr. Courtney Inquired about the
number of cable subscribers in Miami Shores. Mr. Bello replied
2200. Mayor Johnson asked about subscription prices. Mr. Bello
replied that basic cable cost $19.00 for 27 channels and
expanded basic costs $2.35 additional with 6 more channels
available. Mayor Johnson and Mr. Courtney spoke about the
potential benefits of Miami Shores providing cable tv service to
the residents. Mr. Mike Boyle asked about charges for expanded
basic over regular basic. Mr. Ronnie Evans, Engineer for
Southern Bell, spoke about the phone company using their
equipment for cable tv transmission. Mr. Mike Connelly asked
about the cable tv franchise In the Village. Mr. Bello asked to
move Into the next phase and have Storer give the Village a
formal proposal.
ITEM *4 ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was a adjourned at 8:49 p.m.
Attest: Gail Macdonald
:Village Clerk
By:
Scott W. Davis
Deputy Village Clerk
Steven Joh °ron,
Mayor