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JAIL 12 1988 <br />BOOK 70 PAGE 540 <br />Commissioner Eggert wished more clarification on the <br />modification as she believed it is not the same as it was in the <br />last papers given the Board. <br />Director Pinto advised that the only change in what the <br />Board has now is under Item 2 where they have increased the <br />percentage of the franchise fee - the method of payment has been <br />defined more clearly on how they would pay on a quarterly basis. <br />Commissioner Eggert commented that she had thought we went <br />up to 5% almost immediately, and Chairman Scurlock believed what <br />we have now is a phasing -in of it, and as he understood it, part <br />of the reason for that was to make it more palatable and easier <br />for the new company to transition into the service area without <br />losing customers. <br />Director Pinto reported that he had felt there was a very <br />good faith negotiation between us and the cable company, and we <br />felt the phasing -in arrangement was fair to everyone and kept the <br />customer in mind. <br />Chairman Scurlock asked if anyone present wished to be <br />heard. <br />Becky Sims, Divisional Vice President of Falcon Cable Media, <br />came before the Board and advised their concern is not with the <br />transfer, but with the changes in the ordinance. She stressed <br />that the transfer and the increase of franchise fees are two <br />totally unrelated items, which should not be handled at the same <br />time. Ms. Sims emphasized that they signed the agreement under <br />protest and only because it had been made contingent on receiving <br />the transfer. This process has gone on since last summer, and <br />they cannot hold up the deal any longer. Ms. Sims further <br />informed the Board that they have hired a local attorney, and <br />they have contacted their corporate attorneys in Washington, who <br />represent them before the FCC and Congress, and they all agreed <br />these are two separate items. The transfer should go "as is" <br />with the current ordinance, and then they would like to negotiate <br />any changes in the ordinance as a separate item. <br />12 <br />