According to a memo from City Manger Mike Daly, Jackson currently has a franchise agreement with Comcast Cable Services to provide cable services within the city limits. The previous agreement, which was for 20 years expired in 2005, however has been in effect during the renewal process. Daly explained that, “One of the reasons for the time extension was to allow all of the public entities in Amador County with Comcast services to negotiate a single agreement to be adopted in each jurisdiction”. Comcast currently has subscribers in other areas of the county such as Sutter Creek, Plymouth and a small number in the unincorporated areas.

The Cable Communications Policy Act of 1984 regulates the provisions in the franchise agreement. The act stripped the cities of regulatory authority over cable rate increases and includes regulatory language over construction and maintenance of the system, the service obligations, customer service standards and the collection of franchise fees for the right to sue the public right-of-way for the cable lines. The franchise fee is 5% of gross revenues, which are defined in the agreement. Daly said, last year Jackson received $44,423 and some cents in franchise fees from Comcast. He also pointed out that the agreement does not regulate Internet or telephone services only cable television at this time.

 The agreement also provides funding to TSPN in recognition of the television coverage of the community, schools and public outreach. An allocation of $35,000 is included within the agreement that will be provided through the City of Sutter Creek, which has been designated as the fiduciary agent for collection and distribution of the one time payment of $35,000  to TSPN for capital equipment to support programming efforts. Last night the Jackson city council conducted the first reading of the ordinance to approve the Franchise Agreement. The agreement will also appear before the Board of Supervisors for consideration.

Also discussed was the Acquisition of the Oro De Amador Property as the main topic of discussion at last night’s meeting. The city of Jackson and Oro De Amador Inc., owners of the 155 acre area of land between North Main Street and New York Ranch Road just north of the City Cemetery, entered into Purchase and Sale Agreement for acquisition of the property by the City. The agreement, however, is contingent upon the City’s due diligence review of the property. Last night the City Council reviewed completing the acquisition of the property and the Purchase and sale agreement. Karly will give a full report will at noon.

Also on the agenda was a discussion surrounding a Monument to be placed in the site of the Former Chinese Cemetery which is located directly north of the Jackson Elementary School play ground. The city had to decide if they would move forward constructing a monument to commemorate the site.