Agenda - 11-16-2004-9b - Laserfiche WebLink

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installation with no up-front County cost (given the fast approach of winter and the likelihood for severe or inclement weather), TWC declined. But, the possibility remains in Staff's opinion that TWC ought to be willing to refund the up-front $4,000 if agreement can be reached on the franchise. (See Attachment B for County/TWC correspondence.) In addition to paying the $4,000 (with the possibility of a refund) or waiting to see the exact outcome of the franchise negotiations before any Gounty dollars are spent, County Staff investigated two other options for obtaining weather and local information television services for the Government Services Center. The first was whether the County could "piggy back" on the franchise agreement the Town of Hillsborough has with TWC. TWC did provide free installation and monthly service to several town locations, but the Town's franchise limits this to buildings either owned by or leased by the Town, and the Town may not assign the privilege or benefits to a third party. The second was to contract for a satellite dish. Purchasing staff investigated services available in this area and received a quote from Direct TV. Under the Direct TV proposal, a satellite dish would be placed atop the Government Services Center to provide reception for the Weather Channel and other local news outlets, at an installation cost of approximately $394 (one receiver plus labor involved in installation) and a monthly charge of $36.98 for one year. Orange County would own the system and would be able to cancel service at any time should this matter be successfully resolved with TWC in the future. Hillsborough has indicated that there would be no special permit or permission required to install a television satellite dish to serve the Government Services Building. (See Attachment C.) To summarize, the BOCC may choose among the following options: 1. Authorize cable installation now through TWC at the GSC at a cost of $4,000, with a request for a refund from TWC after a franchise agreement is reached; 2. Wait and continue to assert that TWC should provide the service at no cost to the County at the GSC, and make this point central to the approval of a new franchise agreement; 3. Authorize installation of Direct TV (but reserve the right to cancel in the future should TWC services be made available to the GSC at no charge) at a projected annual cost of $444 plus $394 installation fee FINANCIAL IMPACT: If the BOCC chooses an option requiring the expenditure of County funds, County staff would return on a future agenda with any needed action or amendment that would require BOCG approval. RECOMMENDATION(S): The County Manager recommends that the BOCC review Options 1, 2, and 3 shown above and provide staff with further direction.