Title
CONSULTING SERVICES CABLE TELEVISION FRANCISE RENEWAL
COUNCIL STRATEGIC INITIATIVE ADDRESSED:
Council Initiative: Continue effective financial management.
CITY ATTORNEY REVIEW: REQUIRED
SUMMARY STATEMENT:
The City of Longview issued an RFP in October 2014 to acquire consulting services for the cable television system franchise renewal. The current franchise agreement with Comcast is set to expire in December 2016. Of the three respondents to the RFP, two were selected to participate in an interview selection process with the City’s franchise renewal committee. The committee has selected the law firm of Moss & Barnett as the consulting agency. The primary attorney selected to work with the City, Brian Grogan, has represented many municipalities in the cable franchise renewal process.
Moss & Barnett will provide expert legal counsel in the negotiation, drafting and renewing of the cable television franchise agreement with Comcast. The proposed consulting agreement allows the City to lead the negotiations with Comcast while using the consulting services of Moss & Barnett as needed. This process will allow the City to control the costs associated with the consulting services. Aforementioned costs were identified in the development of the 2015-16 budget and are fully allocated for within the General Fund.
A financial audit is identified as an optional task in the RFP. The City has elected to use Moss & Barnett to facilitate performing an audit of the franchise fee and PEG fee payments the City has received from Comcast.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Council to enter into agreement with Law firm Moss & Barnett.
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