Council MIN 11-19-2013 Special4kCITY OF
Federal Way
MINUTES
FEDERAL WAY CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING
Council Chambers - City Hall
November 19, 2013
5:30 p.m.
www.cityoffederalway.com
1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
Mayor Priest called the meeting to order at 5:32 p.m.
City officials present: Mayor Skip Priest, Deputy Mayor Jim Ferrell, Councilmember Kelly
Maloney, Councilmember Susan Honda, Councilmember Jeanne'Burbidge, Councilmember
Bob Celski, Councilmember Diana Noble - Gulliford and Councilmember Dini Duclos.
City staff present: City Attorney Pat Richardson and City Clerk Carol McNeilly.
2. RENEWAL OF THE COMCAST FRANCHISE AGREEMENT — Council Action
Outside Legal Counsel Pamela Beery provided background information on the current
agreement which was approved in May 2006 via Ordinance 06 -524. The current agreement
will expire in May 2016. Ms. Beery provided an overview of the renewal process for the
agreement and noted renewals are regulated by the federal Cable Act as well as the FCC
Administrative Rules. Two policy questions before Council are; what cable - related community
needs and interests should be considered in the renewal; and how Comcast has been
performing under the current agreement. There are a few options for Council consideration;
one is to direct staff to move forward with a community needs assessment, the cost for this is
estimated between $20K and $30K. Another option is to direct staff to move forward with an
assessment of the system's performance capabilities and technology advancements. The
estimated cost for this between $1 Ok to 15K.
IT Manager Thomas Fichtner reviewed the funding allocated for franchise negotiations and
needs assessments.
Motion: Councilmember Duclos moved to authorize an assessment of community
needs, an assessment of the performance and the system, and an audit of payments as
recommended. Councilmember Celski second.
Vote:
Deputy Mayor Ferrell
Yes
Councilmember Maloney
Yes
Councilmember Honda
Yes
Councilmember Burbidge
Yes
Councilmember Celski
Yes
Councilmember Noble- Gulliford
Yes
Councilmember Duclos
Yes
City Council Minutes — November 19, 2013 Special Meeting Page I of 2
The motion carried 7 -0.
3. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Priest adjourned the meeting at 5:58 p.m.
Attest:
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Carol McNeilly, CIVIC, City Clerk
Approved by Council: December 3, 2013
City Council Minutes — November 19, 2013 Special Meeting Page 2 of 2