HomeMy WebLinkAbout16 STATUS RPT AT&T 11-06-00AGENDA RF"ORT
NO. 16
11-06-00
MEETING DATE: NOVEMBER 6, 2000
TO:
FROM:
HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
CITY ATTORNEY
SUBJECT:
STATUS REPORT ON AT&T'S CABLE TELEVISION FRANCHISE
SUMMARY:
AT&T has requested renewal of its cable television
recommending expedited consideration by the City Council.
RECOMMENDATION:
franchise, and staff is
Direct staff to expedite City Council consideration of AT&T's request to renew its franchise.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Within budget.
BACKGROUND:
In May, the City Council held a public hearing on AT&T's service under its franchise. This
franchise expires July 6, 2002. At that time, numerous complaints were voiced by
residents about customer service and outages. An AT&T representative stated that AT&T
would provide a written response to the customer issues raised. The City has never
received this promised response.
After the hearing, City staff solicited a proposal from AT&T for franchise renewal; staff
specifically requested that AT&T address the very issues that were raised at the May
meeting. AT&T's proposal has been received and reviewed. City staff is sending AT&T a
letter outlining the deficiencies in the proposal, including a lack of responsiveness to
issues raised. The criteria that the City must examine in considering renewal include:
o
AT&T's compliance with the material terms of its existing franchise.
2. -AT&T's quality of service, response to consumer complaints and billing practices.
3. AT&T's ability to meet future cable-related community needs and interests.
At the last City Council meeting, AT&T had notice of the City Council's concern about
AT&T's responses to consumer complaints and AT&T billing practices. While the City has
no authority under state and federal law to control AT&T's rates and its service offerings,
the City Council may consider in franchise renewal proceedings if AT&T is meeting
community needs. AT&T representatives again promised to meet with customers and
address issues raised. Unfortunately, the number of resident complaints has increased
since the last Council meeting. Residents have told Councilmembers and staff that AT&T
is rude and abrupt and that Tustin customers have been accused of "stealing signals for
,!
years.
In stafCs view, AT&T has had adequate opportunity to respond to the issues raised by
residents and the City Council, and it is appropriate now to present the issue of renewal to
the Council. If directed by the City Council, staff will bring this issue to the City Council
meeting of November 20, 2000. If the City Council determines not to renew the franchise
a subsequent hearing is required by law to give the franchisee an opportunity to formally
respond to the reasons stated for nonrenewal.
ATTACHMENTS:
None