CC - Approval of Minutes - 12-15-98 NOT OPTIC/AL
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ADOPTED BY THE
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ROSEMEAD
MINUTES OF THE ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETWE/TY COUNCIl
ROSEMEAD CITY COUNCIL
DECEMBER 15, 1998
The regular meeting of the Rosemead City Council was called to order by Mayor Bruesch at 7:00
p.m. in the Council Chambers of the City Hall, 8838 E. Valley Boulevard, Rosemead, California.
The Pledge to the Flag was led by Councilmember Clark
The Invocation was delivered by Councilmember Taylor
ROLL CALL OF OFFICERS:
Present: Councilmembers Clark, Imperial, Taylor, Mayor Pro Tern Vasquez, and
Mayor Bruesch
Absent: None
PRESENTATIONS: None
1. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE AUDIENCE - None
H. PUBLIC HEARING
An explanation of the procedures for the conduct of the public hearing was presented by
the City Attorney. The City Clerk then administered the oath to all those persons wishing to
address the Council on any public hearing item.
Frank Tripepi, City Manager, presented the staff report.
A. A PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE RENEWAL OF FRANCHISE
AGREEMENT AND ACQUISITION OF CHARTER CABLE
TELEVISION BY PAUL ALLEN
Al. RESOLUTION NO. 98-54 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF ROSEMEAD GRANTING THE APPLICATION OF
PAUL G. ALLEN AND CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS
ENTERTAINMENT II, LLP AND RELATED COMPANIES TO ASSIGN
AND TRANSFER CONTROL OF THE NON-EXCLUSIVE CABLE
TELEVISION FRANCHISE IN THE CITY OF ROSEMEAD TO PAUL G.
ALLEN
OR
A2. RESOLUTION NO. 98-54 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF ROSEMEAD DENYING WITHOUT PREJUDICE THE
APPLICATION OF PAUL G. ALLEN AND CHARTER
COMMUNICATIONS ENTERTAINMENT H, LLP AND RELATED
COMPANIES TO ASSIGN AND TRANSFER CONTROL OF THE NON-
EXCLUSIVE CABLE TELEVISION FRANCHISE IN THE CITY OF
ROSEMEAD TO PAUL G. ALLEN
The Mayor opened the Public Hearing to those in the audience wishing to speak on this
item.
There being no one wishing to speak, the Mayor closed the public hearing.
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MOTION BY COUNCILMAN TAYLOR, SECOND BY MAYOR PRO TEM
VASQUEZ that the Council approve the transfer of control to Paul G. Allen, and adopt
Resolution No. 98-54 conditionally approving the transfer. Before vote could result, more
discussion ensued.
Councilman Imperial asked what the current cable franchise agreement will cover. Mr.
Imperial stated that with the past companies, he had requested a 20% discount for seniors and
handicapped people, and for the companies to maintain an office in Rosemead.
Mel Matthews, Director of Government and Community Relations for Charter Cable TV,
explained that a discount is offered to seniors and disabled persons as per the terms of the current
franchise. Mr. Matthews stated that there is a full service office in Alhambra and he has discussed
with staff a possible mail location or check chasing site in Rosemead to provide an additional
payment place for residents.
Councilmember Clark suggested exploring the possibility of paying cable tv bills at
Beach's Market as they already provide a utility bill payment service there.
Mayor Bruesch asked if Charter was going to provide a character generator and an
requested an explanation of the "most favored nations" clause?
Donald Wagner, Assistant City Manager, responded that the City does not have a
character generator yet.
Mr. Matthews stated that the "most favored nations" clause is an assurance that Rosemead
will receive a level of service that would be comparable to their other service areas.
Mayor Bruesch requested a yearly list of the four events per year that Cable TV will
cover.
Cary Reisman, City Attorney, asked Mr. Matthews how soon the character generation
equipment and operation could be in place?
Mr. Matthews responded that it would probably take a few months to work out
technically, and, once in place, City staff would be responsible for programing and keeping it up
to date.
Mr. Reisman requested that the following provisions be included in the franchise renewal
that guarantees that the character generation equipment could be operative within a six month
timeframe; and to include cable, cable modems and intemet access for every school and public
building. Mr. Reisman clarified that the 10% low income discount mentioned in Mr. Matthew's
letter refers to senior low income.
At this point, the Mayor called for the question on Resolution 98-54.
Yes: Vasquez, Taylor, Bruesch, Clark, Imperial
No: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
The Mayor declared said motion duly carried and so ordered.
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MOTION BY COUNCILMAN TAYLOR, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER CLARK
that the Council approve the principle negotiating points for Cable television franchise agreement,
as set forth in the letter dated December 1, 1998 from Melvin Matthews of Charter to Assistant
City Manager Donald J. Wagner(as modified with regard to point 2), together with any additional
points resulting from the public hearing process and amendments as made by the City Attorney,
and instruct staff to prepare a Franchise Agreement and Ordinance Amendment for consideration
by the Council at the January 26, 1999 meeting. Vote resulted:
Yes: Vasquez, Taylor, Bruesch, Clark, Imperial
No: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
The Mayor declared said motion duly carried and so ordered.
III. LEGISLATIVE -None
IV. CONSENT CALENDAR
CC-A AUTHORIZATION TO ATTEND LEAGUE OF CALIFORNIA CITIES
MAYORS AND COUNCILMEMBER INSTITUTE, JANUARY 6-8, 1999,
SACRAMENTO.
MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER CLARK, SECOND BY MAYOR PRO TEM
VASQUEZ that the Council authorize the attendance of any Councilmember, City Manager and
staff designees. Vote resulted.
Yes: Vasquez, Taylor, Bruesch, Clark, Imperial
No: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
The Mayor declared said motion duly carried and so ordered.
V. MATTERS FOR DISCUSSION AND ACTION - None
VI. STATUS REPORTS -None
VII. MATTERS FROM OFFICIALS
VIII. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE AUDIENCE
Nick Conway, San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments, addressed the Council on the
issue of the expansion of the Foothill Transit Zone. Mr. Conway stated that Rosemead is one of
nine cities currently outside that zone, and that COG will be submitting an application soon to
MTA to begin the expansion process into the Foothill Transit Zone, hopefully resulting in starting
the implementation of having a unified Valley served by the Foothill Transit Zone within the next
year. Mr. Conway passed out a pamphlet outlining their study on the use public transportation
funds and unmet transit needs in the San Gabriel Valley. Foothill Transit has provided the best
public transportation system in the Valley at a substantially reduced cost than MTA. Foothill
Transit has been awarded the Gold Medal Award twice in the past ten years bestowed by the
American Public Transportation for having the finest public transportation system in the United
States.
Mr. Conway reported that a sizeable increase in the population is anticipated and that
there are a number of unmet transportation needs in the Valley; such as the need for 130 more
buses on the road now, plus an additional 88 buses by the year 2020 or an increase of 67%. Mr.
Conway stated that the MTA is probably at its most vulnerable period since its existence and has
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the least amount of resources available to support the increased need for bus transportation
services. Regarding the use of resources of the 30 cities in the San Gabriel Valley representing
18% of the population in L.A. County, they are only receiving 13% of subsidies provided for
public transportation under Prop A and C funds, and that is a lack of MTA's ability to appropriate
proportionally that money to meet the current needs of the Valley. Mr. Conway stated that it was
the unanimous decision, in committee meetings with the nine cities, to pursue the expansion of the
Foothill Transit Zone. The cost per hour of Foothill Transit is approximately 50% lower than
MTA to operate the buses and their goal within the next 15 to 20 years is to capture that
increased efficiency through the lower unit costs and to apply those cost savings to expand the
levels of service in the Valley. Mr. Conway, in conclusion, stated that the issues are whether or
not we can address the unmet transportation needs; can we improve the existing system to meet
the current, as well as future needs; reduce our overall operating costs; and, finally, do we stay
with MTA or pursue another carrier. Mr. Conway added that copies of the study will be provided
to the Council.
Mayor Bruesch stated that the study also reveals the major core of bus riders are not in the
central part of Los Angeles(east/west commute), and that more and more commutes begin and
end on the north/south axis. Mr. Bruesch added that part of the increased service could include
the north/south lines.
Mr. Conway stated that all of the Foothill, MTA and intra-city routes were studied and
that the most significant change in jobs and job growths in the southern portion of the Valley, was
the area that had the greatest unmet transit needs, which is served by MTA.
IX. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further action to be taken at this time, the meeting was adjourned at
7:55 p.m. The next regular meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 26, 1999, at 8:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted: APPROVED:
City Clerk MAYOR
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