HomeMy WebLinkAboutRPT 2 COMMUNICOM RATE 09-03-85A' G EN DA -
WILLIAM HUSTON, CITY MANAGER
TO:THRU: BOB LEDENDECKER, DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS/CITY ENGINEER
FROM:
SU BJ ECT:
MONDA BUCKLEY, ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
COMMUNICOM RATE INCREASE FOR BASIC SERVICES
In April, 1985, the 1984 Cable Communication Policy Act was implemented. Section
623 of the Act allowed cable companies to increase rates for basic services up to
five percent (5%) without approval of the franchising authority.
On August 15, 1985, CommuniCom notified the City that their rates would increase
by 5% on October 1, 1985 in accord with the provisions of the Act. (See
attachments).
With the letter of notification, CommuniCom also sent a rate schedule for all
services. The rate schedule indicates a fee for basic service over the allowed
5%, i.e, $10.50 vs. $9.45. Staff contacted Perry Parks of CommuniCom who stated
there was an error on the rate schedule and that he would forward a corrected
schedule to the City.
When receiving the rate schedule, there were two non-regulatory items that may
cause concerns to the cable customers and that staff feels should be specifically
brought to the attention of the Council.
1. Previously there was a $.50/month charge for the cable guide. October
1st the charge for the guide will be $2.00. Not only is this a 400%
increase, but, according to Mr. Parks, the consumer has no choice as to
whether or not they want the cable guide.
2. Effective October 1st there will be a $25.00 charge for "unnecessary
service calls". Staff feels this charge is extremely subjective and has
the potential for causing problems if CommuniCom does not exercise a
great deal of discretion when applying the charge.
Monda Buckley
Administrative Assistant ~'
MB:jr
Attachments
Ct,F'/
August 15, 1985
cabte..,a univer~ of choice,
Mr. Bill Huston
300 Centennial Wy
Tustin, Calif. 92680
Dear Mr. Hustom
Pursuant to section C (i) of the Cable Communications Policy Act of 1988, we are
hereby notifying you that effective October 1, 1985, CommuniCom will be
increasing its rates by the allowed 596.
Specifically, the service categories impacted are.'
CURRENT RATE NE.I/RATE PERCENT CHANGE
Basic Service $ 9.00 $ 9.85 .5%
Installation $29.95 $ 31.85 5%
As previously stated, the effective date of the rate increase will be October 1,
1985 and thirty days prior to the effective date CommuniCom subscribers will be
notified by mail.
For your information and to facilitate your communication with subscribers, I am
enclosing our rate schedule which will be effective October, 1985.
Thank you for your continued cooperation and support in the development of cable
television in the County of Orange.
If there are any questions regarding the proposed increase, please do not hesitate
to contact me at (213) ~10-7360.
PCP:nt
5731 8uckinghom Porkwoy, Culver Cih/, Colifornio 90231 · (213)4q0-7100
COMMUNICOM OF TUSTIN/ORANGE SERVICE RATES
AND ONE TIME CHARGES
MONTHLY SERVICE CHARGE
Basic $10.50
Additional Outlet 5.00
Cable Guide 2.00
AFFECTIVE DATE
10/1/85
MONTHLY FEATURE SERVICE CHARGES
Showtimc, HBO, Cinemax, Movie Channel
Any one $11.50
Any two 20.00
Any three 27.00
All four 36.00
Disney 6.00
Rainbow 6.00
(Bravo & American Movie Classic)
SERVICE RATES
Standard Installation
Additional Outlet at
Install ! 0.00
Additional Outlet Install
(Later) 19.95
A/B Switch Installed 17.50
A/B Switch Installed
(Later) 29.95
Custom VCR Installation 75.00
Includes A/B Switch,
Additional Converter,
Splitter
Relocate Outlet 19.95
Converter Depost
(Per Converter) 25.00
Change of Service
(Premium Channel) 10.00
Non-Standard~ Custom
Installation, Includes
Parts and Labor
(Per Hour) 40.00
Reconnect Primary 1 ~.~)9
Restoral Charge
(Non-Pay Cut Off) I0.00
Returned Check Charge 10.00
Unnecessary Service Call 29.00
August 9, 1985
Mr. Mike Groom
Communi Corn
5731 Buckingham Parkway
Culver City, California
90230
Mr. Bryan Ramsey, Construction Dept.
Co~u¥~uniCom
5731 Buckingham Parkway
Culver City, California 90230
Mr. Don Guthrie
Com~uni Corn
189 Business Center Drive
Corona, California 91720
Gentlemen:
The matter of the inadequate CATV service being provided by
CommuniCom within the City of Tustin, including, but not limited
to, the poor quality of picture, no picture, poor response to
complaints, misbillings, construction problems causing damage to
City sidewalks and other property, exposure of the City to
liability from persons who are injured by settlement of
sidewalks, failure to build conduits and other facilities in
accordance with approved plans, failure of CommuniCom to provide
as-built plans to the City, and failure of CommuniCom to provide
the City with evidence of easements for facilities has been
.referred to this office for action. These various items and
others have been the subject of numerous telephone advices to
your personnel and numerous letters sent to you, but the problems
remain uncorrected.
We realize that CommuniCom may be having financial problems which
are making it difficult for it to perform its franchise
obligations fully and properly, but the City is at the end of the
line in being able to go along with your deficiences of
performance. If CommuniCom is not able to correct these many
problems in a diligent manner and in a reasonable, i.e. very
short, time the staff will be soon recommending to the City
Council the institution of proceedings for the termination of
your CATV franchise.
300 Centennial Way * Tustin, California 92680 * (714) 544-8890
Page 2
August 9, 1985
I request that you provide me with a response to this letter with
full and complete detail about your perception of the situation
and what you propose to do about it and when you propose to take
your corrective measures.
Your response and the performance which follows your response
will be closely monitored and a determination then made on the
staff recommendations to the City Council in this matter.
Very truly yours,
JGR:se:D:08/05/85(4)
cc: M. Buckl~x~'~ R. Ledendecker
W. Huston
JAMES G. ROURKE
City Attorney
City of Tustin