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Verizon franchise renewal presented to Peekskill council; fee raised to 5% with $45,000 PEG grant
Summary
Councilors heard a proposed five‑year renewal of Verizon's cable franchise that would raise the video franchise fee from 4% to 5% and provide a $45,000 PEG grant in three installments; residents asked about recent service interruptions and the possibility of community‑access programming.
The council received a staff summary and public comment on a proposed five‑year renewal of Verizon New York's cable franchise. Staff explained the renewal reflects market practice (shorter terms and termination rights) and an increase in the franchise fee from 4% to 5%; the proposal also includes a $45,000 PEG (public, educational and government) grant payable in three $15,000 installments.
City counsel explained the fee increase would begin 60 days after the agreement's effective date and that the agreement's final effective date also depends on the New York State Public Service Commission's approval. The city's draft would continue PEG channel access for City Hall and the high school.
Residents asked about recurring service interruptions in parts of the city and whether the municipality could secure community-access studio capabilities. Pamela Goldstein, Verizon's counsel on the call, said she would take complaints about service interruptions back to Verizon's engineering group and offered to provide a contact for follow-up. City staff also noted that PEG equipment donated in the past is now outdated and that contemporary options increasingly focus on online distribution.
The council took public comment and closed the hearing that evening; staff said the agreement will advance through municipal approval and then to the NYPSC for final action.
