Orange County NC Website
a <br /> BOCC Questions <br /> A preliminary report and preview of the proposed Franchise Ordinance/Agreement was <br /> provided to the BOCC at the meeting on September 7t'. In response to questions raised by the <br /> BOCC at that time: <br /> • The Cable Advisory Committee Chair and County staff met with TWC and The People's <br /> Channel (TPC) representatives on October 5 to clarify concerns about the technical <br /> equipment (Exhibit A of the Franchise Ordinance/Agreement) needed to Iivecast BOCC <br /> meetings from both meeting facilities. Minor modifications within the project scope <br /> remain under evaluation by TWC and should be confirmed by the second reading. <br /> County staff will continue to work with both TWC and The People's Channel on <br /> preparations for"going live" with the broadcast of BOCC meetings and other <br /> implementation measures. <br /> • In a presentation before the BOCC at the work session on October 17, Corley Redfoot <br /> Zack, the architects for the expanded Justice Facilities, indicated that no change is being <br /> recommended for the F. Gordon Battle Courtroom where the BOCC presently meets. <br /> County staff retains the ability to postpone outfitting the F. Gordon Battle Courtroom for <br /> livecasting should the BOCC state its preference for outfitting a different space in the <br /> expanded facility for its public meetings in the future. Close communication will be <br /> maintained with Pam Jones, Central Services/Purchasing, and the Justice Facilities <br /> workgroup in this regard. <br /> • Exhibit B of the Franchise Ordinance/Agreement has been amended to include the <br /> Northern Human Services Center at Cedar Grove. <br /> • Free Basic Cable Services for the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools District is covered <br /> under the Chapel Hill cable franchise ordinance. See excerpt Attachment A. <br /> • The Carrboro Board of Aldermen and the BOCC typically meet on the same night and <br /> time of the month, and the town airs its Board meetings on existing cable channel 18. <br /> Under the proposed Franchise Ordinance/Agreement, cable subscribers in Carrboro <br /> would have the ability to watch either the Town Board meeting on cable channel 18 or <br /> the BOCC meeting on a channel to be determined on the cable digital tier, or both by <br /> utilizing the split screen feature on their television. Subscribers throughout the County, <br /> regardless of township, will be able to request a free digital converter box in order to <br /> receive the County transmission signal if they presently do not have one. <br /> The proposed Cable Franchise Ordinance/Agreement in Attachment B represents the "best <br /> effort" of both parties to address key objectives within a "good faith" negotiation process as <br /> authorized by the BOCC. County staff and TWC officials recommend that the BOCC accept <br /> and approve the proposed 15-year agreement. <br /> The Cable Advisory Committee met on October 5 and discussed the proposed <br /> Ordinance/Agreement It voted unanimously to recommended approval by the BOCC. <br /> While not a formal member of the negotiation team Bob Sepe, Triangle J COG Cable <br /> Consortium consultant has advised the County on technical matters as needed. He attended <br />