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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1976-07-26 Special MinutesJuly 26, 1976 TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL 7:30 P.M. SPECIAL MEETING CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL OF COUNCIL MEMBERS OFFICIALS IN ATTENDANCE Undergrounding TelePrompTer Cable TV M I N U T E S Mayor Bauch, presiding, called the Special Meeting of the Tukwila City Council to order. Mayor Bauch stated that Mrs. Booher would take the Minutes of the Meeting. GARDNER, TRAYNOR, HILL, MS. PESICKA, VAN DUSEN. Mayor Edgar Bauch, Director of Public Works Steve Hall. /s9 7 Tukwila City Hall Council Chambers Mayor Bauch stated this Special Meeting was a continuation of the Special Meeting called for July 23, 1976. A meeting was not held on that date due to lack of a quorum of the City Council. Councilman Saul arrived at the Meeting at 7:35 P.M. Mayor Bauch explained that Ordinance #675 had a default clause which stated the franchise with TelePrompTer Cable TV could be terminated if the undergrounding requirement was not complied with. Council President Hill said TelePrompTer had made an offer to underground their cable with a 75/25 cost split for Phase I which is under construction. They have stated the cost will be $27,958 and $20,969 would be the 75% City share of the cost. Discussion con- tinued regarding the service TelePrompTer has provided and Councilman Gardner asked how many houses were using their services. Mr. Grinstead TelePrompTer representative, said they had 193 subscribers. Mr. Marshall Nelson, legal representative for TelePrompTer, stated the franchise granted in 1971 required Cable TV to underground at their own expense. TelePrompTer stated they were unable to operate at the cost that will be required. Mr. Nelson continued there are two proposals: one would be the 75/25 cost share basis and the other would be to abandon the franchise. He added they would not require the 70 day period to discontinue the service. He said TelePrompTer would leave the wires up as long as possible, that would give the City a chance to get another cable operator. Mr. Nelson said basically what he was saying was if the City will share the cost TelePrompTer would like to stay in Tukwila. Discussion continued and Councilwoman Pesicka said everyone in Tukwila will be paying for cable television if the City shares the cost of undergrounding, whereas only a few are served by cable television. Mr. Nelson said undergrounding extends the service and adds to the value of the property. Mayor Bauch said the City Council had asked him to contact Puget Power regarding the conduit and they have agreed to furnish the conduit for $1.25 /foot which would amount to $11,500 for the first phase of the projected project. Bill Grinstead, TelePrompTer, said they would like to stay in Tukwila but it was his responsibility to use business judgment and they do not have the funds budgeted to assume the entire cost of undergrounding. Councilman Van Dusen asked if the City participated in the cost of the undergrounding would the type of conduits installed be satisfactory for the future. Mr. Grinstead said it would be more than satisfactory for the future. He continued they could start the undergrounding tomorrow because they did not want to go back and dig up any more trenches than they would have to. Mayor Bauch said there is a $21,000 surplus in the undergrounding fund. MOVED BY VAN DUSEN, SECONDED BY SAUL, THAT THE CITY PARTICIPATE IN A 75/25 COST SPREAD WITH CABLE TV. Councilman Saul said he would like to say his thoughts were that the City should participate no more or less than the telephone company participates. He added their bill was approximately $24,000 and the City's participation was about $17,500. Mayor Bauch explained the electric and telephone companies are public utilities and are controlled by the State Cable TV is a private company not controlled by the State. He added if the City participates in the cost of the Cable TV undergrounding they will be adding to the value of their property and if they sell he felt the City should have first lien on the property before they can sell. TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING July 26, 1976 Page 2 /s9 Underground MOVED BY SAUL, SECONDED BY PESICKA, THAT THE ORIGINAL MOTION BE TelePrompTer AMENDED TO STATE THAT THE CITY PARTICIPATE AT THE RATE THE TELEPHONE Cable TV COMPANY PARTICIPATES AND THE CITY OWN THE CONDUIT AFTER IT IS LAID. Contd. RECESS 8:25 8:35 P.M. ADJOURNMENT 8:45 P.M. Steve Hall, Director of Public Works, said the City is participating with the telephone company on about a 70% rate. Mr. Grinstead, TelePrompTer, related the procedures they were going to have to follow in undergrounding. MOVED BY HILL, SECONDED BY PESICKA, THAT THE SPECIAL MEETING RECESS FOR 10 MINUTES. CARRIED. Mayor Bauch called the meeting back to order with City Council Members present as previously listed. Underground Steve Hall, Director of Public Works, stated payment to the telephone TelePrompTer company is $16,975 or $120 per lot. He added Puget Power is $390 per Cable TV lot this is the tariff or the cost to the City. Frank Todd, Contd. audience, asked if the tariff to the telephone company includes undergrounding to the property line or to the house. Steve Hall ansered that it covered the cost to the house. Mayor Bauch stated there should be a resolution to cover this matter. MOTION CARRIED, WITH GARDNER VOTING NO. Councilman Van Dusen said he thought the resolution should state strongly that the City owns the conduit. Mae Harris, Treasuer, said if City funds were used it should be stated where they are coming from. Mayor Bauch said there is still money in the undergrounding fund that can be used for this purpose. MOTION CARRIED, AS AMENDED. ROLL CALL VOTE: 4 YES TRAYNOR, SAUL, PESICKA, VAN DUSEN. 2 NO GARDNER, HILL. MOVED BY VAN DUSEN, SECONDED BY SAUL, THAT ADMINISTRATION BE INSTRUCTED TO INVESTIGATE THE ENFORCEMENT PROVISIONS OF THE CONTRACTOR. CARRIED, WITH GARDNER VOTING NO. MOVED BY HILL, SECONDED BY SAUL, THAT THE TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING ADJOUNR. CARRIED. D0442,. ddazt Edgar A'. Bauch, Mayor North Booher, Recording Secretary