9.a Request from Frontier to seek proposal for cable franchise applicationsSCA►NDIA.
Staff Report
Date of Meeting: October 18, 2016
To: City Council
From: Neil Soltis, Administrator
Re: Request from Frontier Communications to seek cable franchise applications
Background: Frontier Communications has developed the capacity to provide television and other
on -demand products through the internet. Frontier would like to extend those product to Scandia
residents; however, in order to provide the content, Frontier would need to be granted a franchise
agreement. These services will be able to provide using the existing lines after upgrades are made
to Frontier's infrastructure in Scandia. Frontier has made similar requests in Wyoming and
Lindstrom.
Issue: Should the City publish the required notices to seek cable franchise applications?
Proposal Details: In order to solicit proposals the City would need to publish notice that it is
seeking application for 2 weeks. As a timeline if publishing the notices by the Council were
approved at the 10/18/16 meeting, the notices would be published on 10/27 and 11/3 with
proposals due by 11/8. A public hearing would need to be held at the 11/15 city council
meeting before any action is taken by the council to authorize proceeding with negotiations on
the agreement.
Fiscal Impact: The City could receive franchise fees based on the terms of the agreement with
Frontier.
Options:
1. Authorize the publication of notices seeking cable franchise applications
2. Take no action
Recommendation: Option 1— Authorize the publication. This will start the process and does
not obligate the City. The application would be evaluated and ultimately the terms of the
franchise agreement will need to be approved by the Council.
Frontier
COMMUNICATIONS
October 11, 2016
Mr. Neil Soltis
City Administrator
City of Scandia
14727 209th St. N.
Scandia, MN 55073
Dear Mr. Soltis,
We appreciated the opportunity to discuss Frontier's desire for a cable franchise with the City of
Scandia. We're excited about the opportunity to offer video services in Scandia.
Citizens Telecommunications Company of Minnesota, LLC asks that the City of Scandia issue
the required public notices seeking cable fianchise applications so we can begin the process.
We look forward to working with you and the City staff. If you wish to discuss, please let me
know.
Sincerely,
Murn
(218) 768-2821
tom.mum@fir.com