City Council Minutes 1994 01 18 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Rex Renfrew, 172 Cherrywood Lane, Louisville, Colorado, related his experience with Scripps Howard when he tried to expand his cable se~wice. It took 4.5 - 5 days for them to return his call to sckedule a service call, which was scheduled two weeks out. It took two men eight minutes to complete the service call. He wondered why, if a company wants to save money through automated vo~.ce mail, would they send two people to put a $.49 item on at a se~wice call, which they charge $26.95 for. He thought there was a lack of good management and fiscal responsibility to keep rates low. He thought it should be reviewed by the City and there should be accountability of the rate structure. Davidson called for anyone else in the audience wishing to speak on the Cable Franchise renewal. NOS'E Davidson closed the public hearing and called for Council comments. Keany met with Mr. Griffin and looked at their building on Lafayette Street, which he felt was hard to find. He thought Scripps Howard was making an effort to address Council's concerns. Greg Griffin, General Manager for Scripps Howard, stated that as of Se~,tember 1, 1993, they were no longer charging for additional outlets on a monthly basis, regardless of the number of outlets. There is only an installation charge. Griffin commented that Bus. iness Answers had become more sophisticated in their knowledge of the cable industry and customer service for Scripps Howard. He ex~.lained that Scripps Howard could provide a cable data terminal for any billing questions. He stated that the number, 443-5005, that is published in the telephone book is for the Denver, Boulder, Louisville, Longmont, Lafayette exchange, which is toll free and rings into Longmont. He felt the two technicians on that service call were possibly in a training situation. Levihn: What services that you provide in Longmont are not be provided here in Louisville? Gr].ffin stated that dispatching is done out of Longmont. Sus.an Griffiths, City Attorney, pointed out that the renewal process is governed almost entirely by Federal law and the action taken at this meeting, if they closed the public hearing, is to allow Scripps Howard to present a formal renewal proposal to the City. Then, the City has a four month period during which it must either renew the franchise or issue the preliminary denial of the renewal. During that four months there is a period of negotiation with Scripps Howard. Davidson called for further Council, comments, or motions. 5