City Hall - 455 Main Street Worcester, Massachusetts

Chairperson Councilor Rosen read the item and moved for a roll call vote to adopt the order. Order adopted on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays

Chairperson Councilor Rosen read the item and recognized the City Solicitor, who discussed the City’s contract with Charter/Spectrum, the roles of the Public Services and Transportation Committee and the Cable Television Advisory Committee relative to the contract negotiation process between the City and Charter.

Chairperson Councilor Rosen recognized the following speakers:
1. Sharon Henderson, Worcester resident, spoke neither in favor nor opposed the item
2. David Zimage, Worcester resident, spoke neither in favor nor opposed the item
3. Mauro DiPasquale, Worcester resident, spoke neither in favor nor opposed the item
4. Jordan Berg Powers, Worcester resident, spoke neither in favor nor opposed the item
5. Eric Stratton, Worcester resident, spoke neither in favor nor opposed the item
6. Michael Cougan, Worcester resident, spoke neither in favor nor opposed the item
7. Gerardo Schiano, Worcester resident, spoke neither in favor nor opposed the item
8. Natalie Turner, Worcester resident, spoke neither in favor nor opposed the item
9. Hope (No last name given), No resident given, spoke neither in favor nor opposed the item

Chairperson Councilor Rosen recognized the City Solicitor, who discussed whether Charter would still be able to operate in the City without a contract, the appeal process following a nonrenewal decision, feasible courses of action the City could take if it does not renew with Charter and why other providers do not offer services in the City.

Chairperson Councilor Rosen recognized the Cable Television Advisory Committee Representative, who discussed the needs for applicants for vacant positions in the committee.

Chairperson Councilor Rosen recognized Councilor Rivera, who spoke concerning the importance of holding meetings to give the public a chance to provide feedback concerning experiences with Charter Communications services.

Chairperson Councilor Rosen recognized the Assistant City Manager, who discussed the infrastructure challenges relative to the expansion of municipal broadband network, communications with other municipalities which provide municipal broadband services, the courses of action the City needs to take in order to provide municipal broadband services to City residents and the costs and available funding for municipal broadband.

Chairperson Councilor Rosen recognized Charter Communications Director of Government Affairs, who discussed the single-payer program offered by Charter, changes and future plans concerning Charter Communications operations and services offered by company.

Chairperson Councilor Rosen recognized Councilor Rivera, who discussed the cost to provide Internet to each household with the Charter Communications Director of Government Affairs.

Chairperson Councilor Rosen brought forth the following two Chairman’s Orders: 1) That City Council does hereby recommend that the Cable Television Advisory Committee incorporate in its contract renewal negotiation with Charter/Spectrum the following needs of City Cable TV subscribers: 1) Instead of paying a monthly rental fee per cable box, cable TV subscribers be allowed to make a one-time payment to purchase cable boxes either from Charter/Spectrum or private vendors; 2) All cable TV subscribers over the age of 60 be given a seniors-specific discount plan; 3) Long-time cable TV subscribers be given the same discount offers as new customers are given; 4) Customer service and efficiency be greatly improved at Charter/Spectrum Grafton St. store front; 5) The next contract between City of Worcester and Charter/Spectrum be 5-year contract and; 6) WCCA TV channel 194 be moved to a lower number channel and; 2) Request City Manager provide City Council with report concerning the advisability and feasibility of the city building a City-owned municipal broadband network.

Chairperson Councilor Rosen recognized the City Solicitor, who discussed the feasibility to discuss with another cable services provider to overbuild cable network system in Worcester.

Chairperson Councilor Rosen moved for a roll call vote to recommend the item be filed.

Recommend File on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays

That City Council does hereby recommend that the Cable Television Advisory Committee incorporate in its contract renewal negotiation with Charter/Spectrum the following needs of City Cable TV subscribers: 1) Instead of paying a monthly rental fee per cable box, cable TV subscribers be allowed to make a one-time payment to purchase cable boxes either from Charter/Spectrum or private vendors; 2) All cable TV subscribers over the age of 60 be given a seniors-specific discount plan; 3) Long-time cable TV subscribers be given the same discount offers as new customers are given; 4) Customer service and efficiency be greatly improved at Charter/Spectrum Grafton St. store front; 5) The next contract between City of Worcester and Charter/Spectrum be 5-year contract.

Request City Manager provide City Council with report concerning the advisability and feasibility of the city building a City-owned municipal broadband network.

Chairperson Councilor Rosen read the item and moved for a roll call vote to recommend the item be filed.

Recommend File on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays