HomeMy WebLinkAboutM-97-0310CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA
INTER -OFFICE MEMORANDUM
The Honorable Mayor and Members Apri130, 1997
TO : DATE : FILE
of the City Commission
SUBJECT : Request for Extension of
Miami-TCI Cable TV
Franchise
FROM : REFERENCES:
arquez
City Manager ENCLOSURES:
RECOMMENDATION:
It is respectfully recommended that the City Commission approve an emergency
ordinance amending Ordinance No. 9332, as amended, to provide for a one year
extension of the existing cable franchise agreement between the City of Miami and
Miami -Telecommunications Inc. from May 18, 1997 to May 18, 1998.
BACKGROUND:
In 1981, the City approved Ordinance No. 9332, as subsequently amended, authorizing
Miami -Telecommunications, Inc. to operate a cable television system in the City of
Miami, Florida for a period of fifteen years. While the City and Miami-TCI are currently
negotiating the renewal of this cable franchise, both parties are in agreement that the
renewal process will not be completed prior to the extension expiration date of May 18,
1997. In light of recent changes to the federal telecommunications laws, it is in the best
interests of the City of Miami and its citizens to extend the existing cable franchise
agreement to ensure that the City continues to receive revenue from the cable TV
franchise as well as provide additional time to resolve the complexities of the negotiation
of a renewal agreement with Miami-TCI. Although it was anticipated that an agreement
could be reached through the informal renewal process, it has now become evident that
the City must invoke the formal renewal process pursuant to Federal Law 47 USC § 546.
This extension allows adequate time for all facets of the formal renewal process to be
completed. Key issues with Miami-TCI that remain are financial concerns that arose
during the auditing process as well as technical issues.
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