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Council authorizes Cohen Law Group to audit Verizon franchise and negotiate renewal
Summary
Crafton Borough Council authorized hiring the Cohen Law Group to perform a franchise‑fee audit of Verizon and negotiate a borough‑specific franchise renewal, approving a flat‑fee engagement (discounted if multiple municipalities join). The decision follows a presentation about federal Cable Act requirements and discussion of look‑back periods and staff support.
The Crafton Borough Council voted to authorize an agreement with Cohen Law Group to review Verizon’s expired franchise agreement and to negotiate a renewal on the borough’s behalf.
Mike Roberts, an attorney with Cohen Law Group, told the council the work would follow a two‑step approach: a comprehensive franchise‑fee audit to confirm Verizon’s past payments and the operator’s address list, and contemporaneous negotiation of a renewal agreement. “There’s a piece of federal legislation called the Cable Act … local governments are permitted to enter into, and really required to enter into, franchising agreements,” Roberts said, noting the statute permits franchise fees of up to 5 percent of a cable operator’s gross revenues.
Roberts described a typical five‑year look‑back period for audits and said the firm would pursue recovery of any underpayments and assist with negotiations. He also said the firm offers multi‑municipal discounts and that each municipality would receive its own final agreement.
Councilors asked whether previous audits had been performed and how much staff time would be required. Roberts said the audit looks at revenues derived within the borough and that borough staff would primarily assist with an address‑list review; most payment records would be obtained directly from Verizon by legal request. On the question of fees, Roberts said a single‑municipality flat fee was $10,500 under the firm’s standard fee, and that discounts could lower the price to $8,900 if enough municipalities join the group.
After brief discussion about the timing and need for attorney assistance in any renewal, the council moved to authorize the borough to enter into the agreement with Cohen Law Group at the discounted flat fee (up to $9,495 as presented to council). The motion was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote.
The contract authorization directs staff to finalize the engagement documents and to proceed with the audit and negotiation process; any litigation beyond the flat fee would require additional written consent and approval.
