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"In the next month we'll be coming back to [the cities and county] with an ordinance," Sue Buske said.
According to Buske, sit-down negotiations will likely start in April.
Buske estimates that with 32,000 Cox Cable subscribers in cities and county, the value of the franchises to Cox is at least $211 million.
"A lot of great input [in public process]," said Buske.
Cities/County can push for agreement to "stimulate economic and cultural vitality."
"Cox has underpaid Franchise Fees." According to the Buske Group's findings. Supposedly, Cox Cable has admitted partial guilt, settlement agreement is being negotiated.
"Enhancing local media resources is widely perceived as a strategy to address some of the County/City problems," according to the Needs Assessment summary from Buske.
"Very strong interest in having a Community Media Center to provide training, equipment and facilities needed to create local programs for local cable access channels," according to the Needs Assessment summary from Buske.
"Overwhelming support for cable television channels featuring local government, schools, organizations and residents," according to the Needs Assessment summary from Buske.
"Viewership [of PEG channels] was frankly substantial," said Buske.
Jan Krapelein insisted on Buske inserting the fact that "Support for PEG and the support for INET is over and above the Franchise Fees."
"All of us want to see cable as a two-way highway," Councilmember David Meserve said.
Phone and Internet services are exempt from the franchise fee requirements, according to federal law.
Councilmember Michael Machi asked, "Will we be working with County and Eureka for PEG services?"
"Very strong sense that there needs to be PEG channels that are area-wide…we don't want to chop it up into little pieces," Buske said.
Machi asked "who will be controlling that," referring to the independent non-profit which would control and administer public access channels.
"We've heard [from the public] that [control of PEG channels] wouldn't be under Cox Cable…[Humboldt County citizens say] we want an independent entity representative of community members and organizations," Buske said.
City Manager Dan Hauser announced that David Tyson will be the chief negotiator with Sue Buske consulting and Jan Krapelein will represent technical and community access (?).
"The issue has become so much more complicated, has become so much more detailed...it is such a critical issue for the entire community," Dan Hauser said.
No public comment. Mayor Bob Ornelas cuts off discussion, calls for motion.
Councilmembers move and second to approve, the vote is unanimous.