Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Telecom Franchise topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Lakewood adopts 10-year Comcast franchise with standard performance and ROW protections
Summary
The council adopted Ordinance 841 granting Comcast a nonexclusive franchise to operate cable facilities in public rights-of-way, including a 5-year initial term with an automatic 5-year extension, relocation and ROW restoration clauses, joint trenching provisions, and standard bond and insurance requirements (insurance figure noted as a scrivener's error to be corrected).
The Lakewood City Council on Dec. 15 adopted Ordinance 841, granting Comcast Cable Communications Management LLC a nonexclusive franchise to construct, maintain and operate cable facilities in city rights-of-way.
Assistant to the City Manager Mr. Vargas reviewed the ordinance and highlighted substantive revisions discussed at a prior study session: a clarified definition of "emergency situation," a five-year initial term with one automatic five-year extension (total potential term of 10 years unless the city gives six months' notice), and a relocation clause that requires the franchisee to propose alternatives when city projects require facility moves. Vargas also summarized standard requirements for excavation and right-of-way restoration and the city’s joint trenching/boring authority, noting that the final determination on joint trenching feasibility rests with the city.
Vargas pointed out a scrivener’s error in the packet’s insurance section and said it would be corrected at final passage: the insurance requirements should read $5,000,000 for general liability and $3,000,000 for auto coverage. The fiscal impact includes the city’s standard 5% franchise fee on gross revenues, he said.
Councilmember Pearson moved adoption; Councilmember Bell seconded. The council adopted Ordinance 841 by voice vote. No roll-call tally was recorded in the meeting minutes provided during the session.
The ordinance includes standard street-vacation language requiring removal of franchise facilities upon vacation unless the vacation conditions allow the facilities to remain, and it maintains a performance bond requirement set by the city engineer under Lakewood Municipal Code.
