HomeMy WebLinkAbout7/14/1982 (2)s
Wednesday, July 14, 1982
The Board of County Commissioners of Indian River -
County, Florida, met in Special Session at the Sebastian
Community Center, North Central Avenue, Sebastian, Florida,
on Wednesday, July 14, 1982, at 7:30 o'clock P.M. Present
were Don C. Scurlock, Jr., Chairman; Dick Bird; and Patrick
B. Lyons. Vice Chairman Alfred Grover Fletcher was
temporarily delayed, and absent was William C. Wodtke, Jr.,
who was out of state. Also present were C. B. Hardin,
Assistant County Administrator; Community Services Director
L. S. "Tommy" Thomas; Gary Brandenburg, Attorney to the
Board of County Commissioners; and Virginia Hargreaves,
Deputy Clerk.
The Chairman called the meeting to order and explained
that it was for the purpose of having a hearing on the
request of Jones Intercable, Inc., for a rate increase.
The hour of 7:30 o'clock P.M. having passed, the Deputy
Clerk read the following Notice with Proof of Publication
attached, to -wit:
J U L 14 1982 'BOOK 50 FnE 5-10
J U L 14 1982
VERO BEACH PRESS -JOURNAL
Published Weekly
Vero Beach, Indian River County, Florida
COUNTY OF INDIAN RIVER:
STATE OF FLORIDA
Before the undersigned authority personally appeared J. J. Schumann, Jr. who on oath
says that he is Business Manager of the Vero Beach Press -Journal, a weekly newspaper published
at Vero Beach in Indian River County, Florida; that the attached copy of advertisement, being
in the matter of
in the rf Court, was pub -
fished in said newspaper in the issues /
Affiant further says that the said Vero Beach Press -Journal is a newspaper published at
Vero Beach, in said Indian River County, and that the said newspaper has heretofore
been continuously published in said Indian River County, Florida, weekly and has been entered
as second class mail matter at the post office in Vero Beach, in said Indian River County, Florida
for a period of one year next preceeding the first publication of the attached copy of adver-
tiserrent; and affiant further says that he has neither paid nor promised any person, firm or
corporation any discount, rebate, commission or refund for the purpose of securing this adver-
tisement for publication in the said newspaper.
Sworn to and subscribed before me this
(SEAL)
of the Circuit Cou
Manager)
River County, Florida)
890K 50 our.51,
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
All interested parties are hereby notified
that
that the Board of County Commissioners of
Indian River County will hold a public hearing
on July 14, 1982, at •7:30 p.m. in the Sebastian
Community Center located o"orth.Central: ,b
Avenue, Sebastian, Florida, to, consider theTy*,`
request of Janes Intercable, Inc., for the ap•g,
proval of the following rate Increases -4 4 yy,,,
Residential basic monthly charge from S7 25
to $8.50, c c r -
Reconnection of residential cable service
from $7.50 to $12.50.
All other charges to remain unchanged:* f,"^,
�`• If any person decides to appeal any decision`•
made on the above matters, he -she will need a
record of the proceedings, and for such purr,!'„
poses, he -she may need to ensure that a ver-„
batim record of the proceedings Is mede,l�;
which record includes the testimony_ In '
evidence on which the appeal is based
June 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30,1982 y3 A,,.,_,_!"
Staff memo and recommendation is as follows:
2
TO: The Honorable Board of DATE: July 9, 1982 FILE:
County Commissioners
THRU: Dr. C.B. Hardin, Jr., Ph.D.
Acting County Administrator
FROM: George Liner,
Utilities Manager
SUBJECT: Request for Rate Change from
Jones Intercable, Inc.,
REFERENCES:
DESCRIPTION & CONDITIONS r
On December 3, 1981, Jones Intercable, Inc. submitted a request for
increase of monthly service rates and reconnect charges as follows:
Existing Proposed
Monthly Service Charge $7.25 $ 8.50
Reconnect Charge .7.50 12.50
Other rates shall remain unchanged:
New Installation 19.95 19.95
Extra outlet installation 7.50 7.50
Relocate outlet 7.50 7.50
Monthly service charge for each 1.60 1.60
additional outlet
Commercial services These rates are to be negotiated
on an individual basis.
The time since then had been spent in reviewing the proposal package,
an exchange of information and postponement while the county CATV Ordinance
was passed and made effective May 28, 1982. Since that time, the public
hearing was scheduled for July 14, 1982 at 7:30 P.M. at the Sebastian
Community Center. This meeting was properly advertised in the Vero Beach
Press Journal, June 25 through June 30, 1982. Proof of publication is
attached (attachment A).
As part of the CATV Ordinance 82-7 requirement, a license is to be
issued as shown on the attached proposed form. The ordinance calls for
the rates to be shown as part of the license so with approval of any
change of rates, the Board of County Commissioners should also include
approval of the license, (see attachment B).
The present rates have remained unchanged since December 1, 1979.
Since that time, inflation and maintenance work have resulted in financial
losses in consonance with the depreciation of the system. Earlier meetings
of public hearings to raise the rates occured on October 15, 1981 and
January 13, 1982. At each of those occasions, it was decided that customer
service complaints were justification to continue the meeting and defer
the decision to raise rates until better performance was demonstrated.
J U L 14 1982
I�
3
Boa 50 -Pas-512
rp-
J UL 14 1982
ALTERNATIVES & ANALYSIS
SACK 50 Pr;GF 513
A review of the financial reports and minutes of the previous hearings
reveal that there is no problem with the financial justification for the
increase in rates; the problem was in complaints of poor service in
specific areas in which customers felt like they did not get their moneys
worth because of poor picture quality.
John Lisle of the Utilities Division conferred with Ken Vickers,
Manager of the Sebastian/Palm Bay office of Jones Intercable, Inc. to
learn the specific complaints and parties who had problems. After a
due period of time for Jones to make repairs, John polled the parties who
had the problems. The answers concluded that the customers had been responded
to and there was a concensus of distinct improvement in picture quality.
The exceptions were "acts of God" in which lightening damaged some of the
antenna and/or electronic components. For those occasions, service was
restored as expediently as possible. As an example, on July 7, 1982 when
lightening had knocked out several channels, there were repairs being
made to the antenna before the storm had passed. If not above and beyond
the normal call of duty, it was certainly a demonstration of the effort
and lengths being undertaken to maintain good service.
There were two letters from customers who previously had complaints
who commented on improved service. These are shown in Attachment C.
A copy of Ordinance 82-7 as approved was forwarded to Jones Intercable,
Inc. so that they will have first hand information of the County requirements.
A letter questionnaire was sent to Jones with written responses are
shown yin Attachment D. This information covers the questions raised at
the previous public hearings.
I Information available to staff proscribes the recommendation to
approve the raise in rates as requested and approve the license as
presented.
Kevin McLaughlin, Regional Manager of Jones Intercable,
Inc., reviewed the requested rate increase and noted that
the last increase in monthly rates on this system was
secured in December of 1979 by Indian River Cablevision.
Mr. McLaughlin passed out the following information showing
increases in the Consumer Price Index, emphasizing that the
accumulative percentage increase for the items shown on page
3 is 56%.
0
17_J
Table 2. Consumer Price index for All Urban Consumers: Seasonally adjusted U.S. city average, by expenditure category and
commodity and service group -Continued
(1967=100)
Seasonally adjusted annual rate
Seasonally adjusted indexes percent change for -
Group 3 months ending in- 6 months ending in -
Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec.
1979 1979 1979 1979 Mar. June Sept Dec. June Dec.
1979 1979 1979 1979 1979 1979
Expenditure category
J U L 14 1982 5 B90K ' 50. PAGE 514
220.7
221.8
224.8
228.3
14.6
24.4
19.5
14.5
19.4
17.0
Transportation ...»»....»_....». .... ............ » ••_•••»•»• »»„ »
221.3
2222
224.9
228.2
14.8
25.8
19.2
13.1
202.
16.1
Private transportation ..................... »....... .•-„••„-•••••••-»»»•••
169.8
167.2
169.1
169.0
12.8
12.7
6.9
-1.9
127
2.4
New cars ...................................»..»..... „...»...»_»_„-
197.0
196.9
199.4
203.9
9.1
„4.6
-8.8
14.8
2.0
2.3
Used cars ..._.. ................... ............. _ „-,,,„ . »_.
297.1
302.3
307.5
315.8
35.6
90.8
63.1
27.7
60.8
44.3
Gasoline.-».... ................. „».......................„».».........„
247.3
249.6
251.3
253.4
9.9
11.3
9.1
10.2
10.6
9.6
Maintenance and repair ... »...... „.... »... _.....». ».. „„ •
202.8
204.1
205.4
207.2
5.1
10.6
10.9
9.0
.8
10.0
Other private transportation ....._..._._»..»... »• •• .....
177.5
180.9
182.9
1852
11.7
10.6
11.3
18.5
111 .2
14.9
Other private transportation commodities ..... »„
211.6
212.2
213.4
215.1
3.5
10.8
10.9
6.8
7.0
8.8
Other private transportation services.__--.
204.6
208.1
215.6
2223
5.9
7.1
222
39.4
6.5
30.5
Public transportation .„._-»..»-•.--»-•»-»»••
243.7
2462
248.3
251.4
9.4
7.7
' 9.9
13.3
8.6
11 .6
Medical care-------------------
156.0
156-9
158.1
159.4
6.9
6.1
9.0
6.6
8.5
Medical care commodities _ ..».»-•»-•••»-- »-•- »-
2628
265.6
267.9
2715
10.1
&0
80
10.5
13.9
9.1
12.2
Medical can: services „.». _ „.•--.•--••• ••-»•»» ••-
230.3
231.6
233.0
235.9
11.2
7.4
8.4
10.1
9.3
92
Professional services' _....._...» »...»» „ .»
3020
306.8
310.1
314.7
85
8.8
123
17.9
8.6
15.0
Other medical care services »_„- -, - -••- - •-•-•••»
190.9
1921
193.2
193.6
8.9
5.5
72
5.8
72
6.5
Entertainment »... _ - -„ -
191.8
193.3
194.6
195.4
11.0
28
9.3
7.7
6:6
8.5
Entertainment commodities _ »»..» -»--- -- - -
190.0
190.8
191.7
191.3
6.8
9.5
4.1
28
8.1
3.4
Entertainment services . _. _ - »
Other goods and services » ... _ ..»
201.2
201.7
2022
203A
85
11.8
5.7
3.7
126
9.7
4.4
7.1
7.7
8.5
4.8
Tobacco products _- »� » _ _
191.5
191.7
191.3
200.9
191.5
203.0
10.7
62
8.5
.0
8.3
8.4
8.4
Personal care'
199.0
191.4
199.8
1925
193.1
195.8
12.0
3.9
7.7
95
7.9
8.6
Toilet goods and personal care appliances' » „-••
207.0
208.5
210.0
9.0
8.5
9.0
72
8.8
8.1
Personal care services ' „ „ ».•» - » »»• » •»-»
206.4
2212
221.6
222.3
223.1
5.4
6.3
20.6
3.5
5.8
11.7
Personal and educational expenses _ .
205.6
198.5
198.1
199.3
13.6
6.7
26A
-11.7
10.1
5.6
School books and supplies ...;,•.•..-»,•,„„„„,,,,,•-„.•..„-
225.4
227.1
228.0
228.8
3.9
62
19.7
62
5.0
127
Personal and educational services .__»- -»»
Commodity and service group
-
-
-
13.0
13.4
13.2
•13.5
132
13A
Ab items » „» -� „...M.-
-
213.8
215.5
217.5
220.0
14.5
13.3
12.3
12.1
13.9
122
Commodities �� w„ »„„„„ » _
231.1
2328
234.1
237.1
17.6
7.5
4.3
10.8
124
7.5
Food and beverages .». _.. » - ----»••»»» »---
202.7
204.4
206.7
209.0
129
16.2
16.3
13.0
14.5
14.6
Commodities less food and beverages ____
2124
214.0
215.5
218.1
17.1
272
26.4
112
221
18.6
Nondurables less food and beverages „ - -•- -
163.1
163.4
1635
164.6
7.6
.0
72
3.7
3.7
5.4
Apparel commodities »» ..».. »»» - „--•»»--„-
•
Nondurables less food, beverages,
2422
244.3
246.4
250.0
19.1
41.8
34.7
13.5
30.0
23.7
and apparel' • ».•. _»• •-- »„ .„
194.1
195.4
198.4
2002
10.0
9.1
6.7
132
- 9.6
10.9
Durables _ __ _ - • -» » - - »
240.4
243A
246.1
249.3
10.6
13.8
14.3
15.7
12.2
15.0
Services _ ___ _ . »..•„-. - »•-- » •» -„ » » „„
179.2
181.6
182.3
1829
3.6
B 7
10.7
8.5
6.1
9.6
Rent, residential . .. - »„ » - » » - » -
276.1
280.2
284.2
289.2:
15.7
18.5
17.7
20.4
17.1
19.0
household services less rent - •»» » •- -
217.4
218.9
221.4
224.2
5.8
10.1
125
13.1
7.9
128
.Transportation services .»....»» » - •- »»»»•» •••»»»
262.8
265.6
267.9
271.5
10.1
8.0
10.5
13.9
9.1
12.2
Medical care services ............... » _. -» - •• » ••
203.9
205.1
206.2
206.9
8.0
82
10.4
6.0
8.1
8.2
Other services ._„..------ _.»»»..» » » -• » •••»»
See footnotes at end of table.
J U L 14 1982 5 B90K ' 50. PAGE 514
J U L 14 1982
'80% 50 rm, 515
Table 2. Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Seasonally adjusted U.S. city average, by expenditure category and
commodity and service group -Continued
(1967=100)
I Seasonally adjusted indexes
Group I 1982 I Feb. Apr.
982 I Mar. 11
982
Seasonally adjusted annual rate
percent change for-
a months ending in- 6 months ending in -
July Oct I Jan Apr. Oct Apr.
1981 1981 1982 1982 1981 1982
Expenditure category
Transportation „... .„ „ » »»» .» »..»»„» » »
291.9
289.9
287.1
282.6
7.8
12.7
5.2
-12.1
10.2
-3.8
Private transportation „»„» _ _
288.7
286.5
283.4
278.5
5.7
12.9
5.1
-13A
9.2
-4.6
New cars
196.0
184.5
194.6
196.0
15.2
2.5
42
.0
8.7
2.1
Used cars „. »„„„„»»_ „.�_ »_.»» _» » _.. _ .
285.1
286.6
288.1
289.7
19.9
39.4
13.5
6.6
29.3
10.0
Motor fuel' »»_»»
413.1
403.6
387.6
361.8
-8.5
10.6
-1.4
-41.2
.6
23.8
Gasoline' „» .. » _
413.0
403.5
387A
361.6
-8.5
10.6
-1.5
-41.2
.6
-23.9
Maintenance and repair »» »„»
305.8
307.4
309.3
311.3
7.6
11.1
5.8
7.4
9.3
6.6
Other private transportation
253.3
253.4
254.5
255.1
11.6
7.8
9.7
2.9
9.7
62
Other private transportation commodities'
215.5
214.8
215.6
214.9
1.4,
7.7
5.4
-1.1
4.5
2.1
Other private transportation services ' _ ».»
265.8
266.1
267.2
268.2
13.8
7.8
10.8
3.7
10.8
7.1
Public transportation' „»... _ _ »» ._ _ _ _
334.9
336.8
336.7
339.3
39.7
9.9
5.1
5.4
23.9
52
Medical care _ „»„»... » ». »». ».. _ »». ..
312.9
315.0
318.1
321.3
13.6
12.9
10.8
112
13.3
11.0
Medical care commodities „ » _» _. .. ..» » » .
196.3
197.5
199.8
202.0
12.4
11.3
7.9
12.1
11.9
10.0
Medical care services _ .» „» »»»»» » . »
338.7
341.0
344.2
347.6
14.0
13.1
11.5
10.9
13.6
112
Professional services' _ _ .
292.0
294.2
295.8
297.8
13.4
8.8
8.1
82
11.1
8.1
Other medical care services „» _ .._.»» »_
3952
397.6
402.7
407.9
14.3
17.1
14.3
13.5
15.7
13.9
Entertainment _» _
229.7
2312
232.3
232.9
52
9.0
6.9
5.7
7.1
6.3
Entertainment commodities »»„„»„ .._ » _» _ »
232.9
234.3
235.7
236.3
6.3
7.5
6.1
6.0
6.9
6.0
Entertainment services' » _
225.5
227.1
227.8
228.5
3.4
11.2
6.4
5.4
72
6.9
Other goods and services _ » »»„ - „__»»»»»» ».
247.6
249.8
252.2
254.4
11.0
12.0
6.7
11.4
11.5
9.1
Tobacco products ' ..»»a»„» »._ _ .._....» .._.»»»....»„.
227.1
230.7
•234.1
235.1
11.7
11.4
3.2
14.9
11.6
8.9
Personal care' »•.», „ »_ _
240.9
242.3
243.7
245.9
8.5
6.1
8.9
8.8
7.3
7.7
Toilet goods and personal care appliances' ............
236.4
238.5
240.6
248.8
8.9
52
8.6
13.1
7.0
10.8
Personal care services' .»»....»..»... „......... _,»»_..
245.7
246.5
247.3
248.7
8.3
6.7
5.7
5.0
7.5
5.4
Personal and educational expenses._---_._;._-
285.5
287.5
290.4
-293.7
13.2
20.2
10.6
12.0
16.6
11.3
School books and supplies .................... ».....»
256.6
259.8
261.7
263.8
9.5
24.5
11.9
11.7
16.8
11.8
Personal and educational services _.__..... ....»
292.5
294.3
297.4
300.8
13.7
19.5
10.5
11.8
16.5
112
Commodity and service group
-
-
-
-
11.3
9.7
4.8
0.8
10.5
2.8
A8 items „.».„ ».»„ . .__»„... .. _....„»„ »
Commodities ................... ................. _ _... .._
259.9
260.4
259.1
258A
6.4
6.9
2.5
-2.3
6.7
.1
Food and beverages .............. __........ .......___.„................
274.1
275.8
274.9
275.7
4.1
5.8
3.9
P.4
5.0
3.1
Commodities less food and beverages.__......_.
249.3
249.2
247.9
246.5
7.6
7.4
2.1
-4,4
7.5
-12
Nondurables less food and beverages ........ _..... _ »....
268.0
265.8
263.7
257.6
1.4
7.4
1.1
-14.6
4.3
-7.1
Apparel commodities ........................ ..»..„....... .......
179.2
180.0
180.7
180.8
2.1
4.8
-1.5
3.6
3.4
1.0
Nondurables less food, beverages,
and apparel' _.•....»_»._ ................. ..,.,„.........„.........
315.6
314.9
310.3
304A
-.1
2.2
1.9
-13.5
1.0
-6.1
Durables „...... _» .__ » „.„„» . .._._. ..._».»._...». ».
233.6
234.6
235.1
236.5
13.2
5.9
2.6
5.1
9.5
3.8
Services _»» » ...».....» ».....»............ »...,....... ___..»..» .
324.4
325.6
325.7
328.7
18.1
13.3
7.8
5.4
15.7
6.6
Rent, residential' »».»»...»»»...._..._._.....„.......... „......
217.8
218.6
219.6
220.1
72
11.6
8.1
4.3
9.4
6.2
Household services less rent „.» ....» ...._»._. ._...._.»
393.7
394.8
393.3
- 398:41~'
23.5
15.2
7.6
4.4
19.3
6.0
Transportation services __».:»».:.......»»»»_.......... _........
286.7
287.6
288.6
290.1
17.4
9.0
8.4
4.8
13.1
6.6
Medical care services ......... ... _._... ....... _........................
338.7
341.0
344.2
347.6
14.0
13.1
11.5
10.9
13.6
112
Other services ....».......»...»............. .... ..................... „
2512
252.5
253.9
255.6
8.4
12.0
7.7
72
10.2
7.4
See footnotes at end of table.
V
0
ITEM
Cable, .412
Cable, .750
Cable, RG 59/U
Connector .412 pins
Connector .412 splice
Connector .750 pins
Connector".750 splice
Ground Rods
Ground Blocks
Transformers
Tap Pedestal
Pedestal (1200 series)
Pedestal (1300 series)
Trunk Amplifier
Line Extender Amplifier
1979 COST
1982 COST
% INCREASE
120.00 M
230.00 M
92%
300.00 M
450.00 M
507. '
35.00 M
55.00 M
57%
3.50 ea.
4.60 ea.
31%
4.60 ea.
7.75 ea.
68%
5.60 ea.
6.61 ea.
18%
6.10 ea.
9.92 ea.
62%
1.54 ea.
2.65 ea.
72%
.44 ea.
.60 ea.
36%
.75 ea.
.55 ea.
(36%)
5.50 ea.
12.00 ea.
118%
39.95 ea.
46.79 ea.
17%
45.00 ea.
55.00 ea.
22%
450.00 ea.
1250.00 ea.
177%
122.50 ea.
197.50 ea.
61%
The accumulative percentage increase for these fifteen items for the period
noted is 56%.
Mr. McLaughlin continued that an ongoing effort has
been made to solve the problems brought to their attention
at previous hearings. He further commented that when they
acquired the system there was a viewing time of 18 hours
daily; they have increased this.8% and provided a more
diversified program. The channels they have deleted were of
inconsistent quality. He then introduced Ken Vickers, the
local manager of Jones Intercable for the Indian River
County/Palm Bay areas.
Mr. Vickers went into a technical and detailed report
on the improvements made and projected goals as set out in
the following statement of Jones Intercable, which answers
questions posed by the County Utili4y Department:
7 Fga Q PocF 516
JUL 14 19�� 5 -
JUL 14 1992
xnn incEICABLEWC
Page 1
Boax 50 P,4UE 517
P.O. Box 327 _
Sebastian, Florida 32958
305/589-3846
1: What and when will action be taken to resolve the plant
associated problems?
There is now and will be ongoing maintenance programs
to resolve plant associated problems. There have been
great strides in our technical department since system
acquisition. Our engineering goals and objectives (as
described in question 2) supplies more information
concerning this issue.
General engineering objectives maintained at this
time include the over-all upgrade of system materials
used; utilizing state-of-the-art electronics and cable
more suited for our particular applications. The end
result being a cable system with more reliable and
functional plant, assuring lowered maintenance costs
and consumer satisfaction.
Our 111982" budgeting focusses specifically on
encountered plant difficulties and is addressed as our
number one priority throughout this fiscal year.
2: What are the engineering goals and objectives (by project)
for 1982?_
As previously stated our primary objective reflected
in our 111982" fiscal budget is the over-all upgrading of
plant beginning at the head end, and ending in the sub-
scriber's home. The projects itemized below are listed by
the appropriate project number and anticipated completion
date. Each project or piece of equipment in its own con-
text will have a positive affect on the unincorporated
areas of Indian River County while obviously benefitting
other areas outside County jurisdiction.
Problem areas requiring immediate attention will hold
priority over other projects, therefore our projected
completion schedule is tentative in that areas of present
concern may drop in priority due to unforeseen problems
that may require more immediate action.
Engineering goals and objectives are categorized into
four (4) general project headings; System Electronics,
Trunk, Repair Equipment, and Feeder.
1: Repair Equipment
Any equipment necessary for timely plant repair and
Preventive maintenance programs.
2:• System Electronics
Any active or passive devices affecting general
reception and system integrity. For example: Additional
powering - amplifier upgrade - channel processing - antennae.
8
J
3:
Trunk
Cables controlling or affecting system signal flow -
affects reception on an over-all system level regardless
of its specific position or signal direction within
existing plant.
4: Feeder
Cables controlling or affecting system reception on a
more specific area basis - these are cables directly
linking subscribers with our system.
ENGINEERING GOALS & OBJECTIVES FOR 1982 BY CATEGORY & PROJECT NUMBER
1: Repair Equipment:
A. Project #82-T-07 Cable Locators
Three additonal cable locators will be purchased for
use in tracing and isolating system faults. The addition
of these locators will assist our technical staff in
responding and repair of system problems on a more timely
basis. Thus allowing the most affective utilization of
field personnel. Projected delivery of this equipment will
begin March 1, 1982 with the third unit arriving July 1, 1982.
B. Project #82-X-06 Vibrator Plow
This equipment will allow the replacement of drop cables
for subscribers at a depth more likely to prevent subscriber
cuts than when these same cables are buried by hand. -The
time required to bury drops by hand will be drastically
reduced allowing concentration on the addition of new
subscribers to the system while also playing an important
role in preventative measures safeguarding continued
customer satisfaction.
C. Project 482-M-02 Plant Maps
The re -draw of system maps incorporating a system grid
of our entire system will assist our field staff in the
location and repair of the existing system. Time wasted
in attempts to isolate faults in unfamiliar areas of plant
will be eliminated, obviously improving response time to
subscriber problems.
2: System Electronics:
A. Project #82-R-05 Power Realignment
The purpose of this project is to provide additional
voltage to existing plant in areas where plant extensions
were made without allowing for powering of the electronics
added within the extensions prior to our acquisition of
the system. New build areas include all additional
powering necessary for additional electronics.
J U L 14 1982
7
1
BOOK :v50 FACE 518
J U L 141992 09.OK 50 519
j .
Following are the specific areas addressed by this
project including expected completion dates:
�': Roseland Road- An additional power supply directly
affecting the system areas south of Roseland Road from
Josie Street out Roseland Road to the end of existing
plant at "Rivers Edge". Expected completion date of
this part of project #82-R-05 was planned for March 1,
1982, however the immediated need for this power
supply forced completion before the expected date.
Rewire and tie-in of this supply was completed January
7, 1982.
West Wabasso Road - This power supply affects all
cabled areas from Old U.S. 1 west on West Wabasso Road.
Scheduled completion date is April 1982.
3A: North Gifford Road - This power supply affects all
cabled areas west on North Giffor.d Road from Old U.S. 11
therefore directly benefitting all subscribers within
the Gifford area.
Schumann Drive - While this power supply will be
located within the incorporated area of the "City of
Sebastian" the addition of this power supply is in
the first 3 spans from our tower site therefore
affecting over-all system reliability from Gifford
(south -end) to Micco (north end).
Project #82-H-10 Channel #9 Antennae
This project is for the replacement of the Channel #9
antennae (WFTV) currently in use in our Sebastian
tower. The purpose of replacement is to up -grade
the system reception on this channel. The re-
placement of this antennae will be completed upon
delivery expected to be in March 1982.
Project #82-H-13 Processor Rework
The purpose of this project is to up -grade our
channel processor existing at our Sebastian tower
improving reception reliability on channel #5 (WPTV)
our NBC Channel. The rework of this processor in
combination with the following project #82=H-15 will
reduce system level noise on both channels 5 WPTV
and 11 WTOG while also providing video carrier levels
necessary on these channels to control system signal
levels through up -graded system electronics, i.e.
Sylvania Amplifiers. Simply speaking these processors
will assist in controlling level and scope control
over system signal levels, presently uncontrollable
on a 24hr a day basis.
Project #82-H-15 11 Processor
This processor will be replacing an outdated Anaconda
model processor with a state of the art piece of
equipment. Additionaly providing a video carrier for
the control of system level as previously mentioned
in project'#82-H-13.
10
3: Project #82-R-17 Plant Rebuild (1)
This project heading includes all trunk and feeder cables
planned for replacement within our fiscal year 11198211.
For purposes of clarity this project is divided'into two
categories: Trunk and Feeder.
Both trunk and feeder rebuild projects are noted by 482-R-17
(1). Areas of trunk and feeder rebuild are listed below
by location with affected cable areas noted:
1. Trunk -- Sebastian tower to Amp #1
This portion of project #82-R-17 (1) calls for the
replacement of our main trunk line from the tower site to
our first trunk amplifier in line. This replacement will
reduce the system noise levels on all system areas. Planned
completion date is. March 1982.
2. Winter Beach to Gifford (northern limits)
This replacement span will increase system reliability
into the south end of existing plant. The rebuild of this
area is due to numerous splices in this particular span
which has caused fluctuating signal levels into the
southern limits of our system. Completion is planned for
March 1982.
3. Roseland - Gibson Street to Havenview Drive
This span is to be replaced primarily to up -grade the
quality of cable presently in the plant. The cable being
used for all rebuilding projects uses a flooding compound
more resistant to moisture penetration. Completion date
will be May 1982.
4. Roseland - Bay Street to Gibson Street
This span_' is to be replaced to improve technical
specification within the Roseland system design. The
,improved signal loss characteristics of the new cable will
bring this specific area of plant within design spec-
ifications. Project completion date is May 1982.
5. Wabasso - Church Street to Water Tower
This span will be replaced due to numerous existing
splices and evidence of moisture permeation. This portion
of project #$2-R-17 (1) is primarily preventative in
nature as these existing splices will and are causing
system response problems. Completion of this project will
be June 1982. All cabled areas south of the Wabasso
Elementary School will be affected by this replacement span.
6. Wabasso - Old U.S. 1 at the water tower to 55th Avenue
The replacement of this span will bring system signal
levels within design specifications and allow for future
system expansion along both King's Highway and Lateral "A"
off West Wabasso Road (s-510). All cabled areas west of
U.S. 1 on West Wabasso Road will be directly affected by
this portion of our rebuild. Project completion will be
June 1982. 4,
JUL 14 1982 11 oo� 50 FACE5210-
JUL 14 1982
moo 50 PnFl 521
4: Feeder
The following street locations -listed below are the streets
with multiple spans that will be replaced in order of
immediate priority. The spans to be replaced are normally
200" in length and rebuild will be in specific spans,
exhibiting signal, voltage, or response problems.
The streets following below are listed in order of priority.
Completion dates especially on this section of project
#82-R-17 (1) will change as the immediate need arises. It
may be assumed that all projects listed in this section
will be completed by December 1982:
1: Roseland- Josie Street -'August 1982
Roseland- Dale Street - August 1982
Note: several spans causing immediate reception
problems have been completed in advance of the
scheduled date of replacement. Of the appy"oximately
4,000 feet planned for rebuild 1,000 feet has
already been replaced as of this writing.
Wabasso - 81st Street - September 1982
4: Wabasso - 84th Street --September 1982
5: Gifford - 34th Avenue - October 1982 -
6: Gifford - 28th Court - October 1982 -Cell 3oia
Wabasso - 87th Street - Partial June 1982 completed
November 1982
Wabasso - Broxton Road - December * 1982
One additional project to be completed does not clearly
fall into the previously listed headings but has a definite
affect on all system areas.
_ Project 482-H-09 titled "Down Leads" includes the
replacement of all leads on the Sebastian Tower in an
effort to ensure that all off -air channels received can
be processed at optimum signal levels for distribution
throughout the system. The cables to be used are of higher
quality -in both signal loss characteristics and signal
response. The,upgrading of equipment at the tower itself,
(the heart of our signal distribution) will improve general
off air recep_tion'.and eventual distribution on the system
level. This project will be completed by March 31, 1982•
3: How can the costs to the operation in Indian River County
be accuratelty determined?
Costs to the Indian River County cable television
system can most reasonably be determined by the actual
number of subscribers being served. In the operation
of a cable television system certain costs will be incurred.
Such as: Office rent, salaries, utilities, vehicle
expense,.accounting, insurance, franchise fees, property
tax etc. These costs cannot be as a result of just one`'
particular area of a cable system. Thus it appears
reasonable and equitable, that these costs be spread over
the entire system based upon the number of subscribers
served in each respective area.
12
4: W
did d
M
reciation expenses increase b
1?
M
approximatel,
Janes Intercable, Inc. —,Cable TV Fund VIII A purchased
the cable television system serving the Indian River County
community on June 2nd, 1980, thus only seven months of
depreciation was calculated for the period ending December
31, 1980. For 1981, twelve months of depreciation were
recorded, resulting in approximately a 100% increase.
.5: What expenses does the Home Office allocation -cover?
The Home Office allocation expenses cover such items as
salaries of home office personnel for actual time spent .
working on the Indian River County cable television system.
We keep.daily time logs of each half-hour that we have
worked.on a particular system.and our time is allocated
based on actual time spent on each system. Examples are,
Engineering, accounting,.purchasing etc. The time charged
by these professional departments is far less than the
system could ever hope to hire these experts for and
allows for full time professional management at a fraction
of the cost. Other insignificant costs allocated are
miscellaneous overhead items such as postage and copying
charges. These costs are charged evenly to all of
Jones Intercable systems based upon the historical cost
of assets managed.
6: What.action will you take to improve response time for
service calls? -
Our worst cases of delayed response occurs during
weekend stand-by duties. All personnel have been
advised of their obligations in fullfilling stand-by
duties. A job scheduling priority list has been
completed designating action items and their immediate
priorities. If indeed these priority items are not being
responded to our answering service has been requested to
imform the manager immediately so that these problems
can be resolved. Our on-call personnel are obviously
sometimes working.in the field and occasionally cannot
be contacted regarding incoming.trouble calls. In this
particular case the answering service will also advise
the manager of difficulties. A copy of our "Job
Scheduling Priority List" is attached with a letter of
instructions to answering service.
Our personnel and related duties have been altered
in order to utilize more experienced personnel in areas
of primary concern on the system level. Our Palm Bay
system has been run by one of our two "Systems Technicians"
and in an effort to concentrate our talents on immediate
action problems we have transferred one"System Technician"
to Indian River County area so that our most experienced
personnel are where they are most needed.
The rest of the system's field personnel have been
categorized into the areas most suited to their experience
and capabilities. We feel that these moves will enable
us to maximize each field technicians productivity,
benefitting both subscriber and company.
.V
JUL 14 1982
13 -5 PnE 522
J U L 141982 BOOK 0 PA,,,,F 53
9
7: What plans do you have to increase your growth rate?
R
Our growth rate is contingent on over-all area growth.
at the present time we service homes in areas equivalent
to 23 homes per mile, well below industry norm. We will
commit to building any project that may fall in our service
area within a reasonable time frame. Our seasonal churn
plays an important part in our yearly goals and objectives
and we feel that our policy toward the seasonal trade is
condusive to good business practices.
A large portion of our seasonal subscribers reside
within Indian River County and should directly benefit by
new policies instituted this season. Attachment "A" is a
reminder notice directed specifically at our seasonal trade
potentially reducing subscriber hook-up time.
8: how'long can you_continue this operation sustaining losses
of.approximately 00,000 per year?
We are currently doing all we can to become more
efficient by cutting expenses and stream -lining our operations.
We are hoping that the housing industry will rebound during
1982 and that the homes in the area will increase at a
quicker rate than has been the case the past 19 months. We
are desperately•in.need of a rate increase in order to
continue our service to the community and to be able to
fulfill our commitment to growth and excellence in the
Indian River area.
Mr. Vickers commented that in some instances they found
where connections had been made over the years without
permission and caused overloads; he also reported that the
Gifford power supply has been tampered with several times in
the last few months, and they are going to replace this so
it can be locked. Mr. Vickers then brought to the Board's
attention letters they have received speaking favorably of
both their service and staff, which are made a part of the
record, as follows, and noted that they also have received
letters and petitions signed by over 50 area residents
expressing their appreciation of Jones Intercable allowing
the local churches an opportunity to be on Channel #4, CBN.
Said petitions are on file in the Office of the Clerk.
14
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Commissioner,Fletcher entered the meeting at 8:00
o'clock P.M. a
Commissioner Lyons inquired about the statement that
they had increased viewing time 8%, and Mr. Vickers -
explained that when they made cable changes, they put on
satellite programs which provide roughly another 6 hours per
day. They took the total hours each station was on the air
and divided by the total number of channels to come up with
the hours per day.
Commissioner Fletcher asked if all lines are purchased
to complete the approximately 1,000 ft. of additional wiring
they had planned for the Wabasso/Gifford area.
Mr. Vickers stated that what they were doing at that
time was laying out areas where they knew they had problems.
He reviewed the information previously presented about where
improvements had been made and stated that what he has left
for the rest of this year is roughly 10,000' of trunk and
10,000' of feeder cable; this is mainly for system upgrade
and to maintain reliability. In some places they will be
replacing only trunk and in some places trunk and feeder at
the same time.
Chairman Scurlock asked if anyone present wished to be
heard.
Fred Goldberg of Breezy Village objected to this
meeting being held at a time when many mobile home owners
have gone north for the summer. He complained that the
reception is poor, and although they do receive some
service, all they say is "what can we do about it." He was
opposed to the requested raise, which he felt was consider-
able
onsiderable because he did not feel he gets the service he already
pays for. Mr. Goldberg also objected to the fact that Jones
Intercable had the two TV's on display turned on and playing
without sound during this hearing, which he felt was a
psychological move on their part.
18
Eileen Tropicanti asked if Jones Intercable customers
are supposed to be paying $7.25 a month now and they are
requesting the raise to $8.50, because she has been paying
$8.50 for the last year.
Mr. Vickers explained that Mrs. Tropicanti lives in the
City of Sebastian and before that she was living in Micco.
In both of these areas, the raise to $8.50 already has been
approved. He continued that in regard to the Roseland area,
they are on a computer billing system and there have been a
few problems with some who are in the County and have paid
the raised amount. This will be corrected, and anyone who
has an incorrect billing will have their billing adjusted
accordingly.
Walter Crosby of Shady Rest Mobile Home Park concurred
with Mr. Goldberg's statement that a majority of their park
residents are up north at this time. He believed the
proposed increases, which would increase the rate 17% and
the reconnect charge 66%, are excessive and unwarranted.
Mr. Crosby stated that they have not seen any improvement as
far as Shady Rest is concerned; at the present time they do
not have Channel 2, and they have problems on Channels 5,
10, 11, and 13.
Jay Solomon of Jamaica Avenue commented that although
underground cable was installed last year, he and his
neighbors have continuously been trying to get connected on
these lines and they have been refused.
Mr. Vickers informed the Board that they have been
doing work across the road from the area Mr. Solomon is
talking about; they put about 7,000' of cable in because
they had it�even though the area did not justify it. They
then encountered problems along SR 512 when the changes were
made at the railroad crossing, and they have been involved
in trying to give their present customers good reception.
z '
19
@�
J U L 14 1982 flK 50 p6E 52
JUL 141982
50 Pn 529,
He felt it is'only,right to do what they can to satisfy
present customers before making extensions into other areas.
Fred Payne of Breezy Village complained about poor
reception daily on several channels, especially Channel 5. -
He noted that he can see the Jones Intercable antenna from
his house and did not understand what is happening.
Jean Payne stated that they do not mind an increase if
they get something worthwhile, but felt Jones Intercable is
not giving them the service they are already paying for.
Richard Brenner felt Jones Intercable has pretty much
of a monopoly and they can ask for anything they want. He
suggested the people should get up a petition and try to get
somebody else who will give them the service and the
quality.
Commissioner Fletcher asked if anyone present tonight
who also attended the previous two hearings has seen any
improvement since the last rate increase.
Ten or twelve in the audience raised their hands and
claimed they had not seen any improvement.
Chairman Scurlock asked if anyone further wished to be
heard. There were none.
ON MOTION by Commissioner Lyons, SECONDED
by Commissioner Bird, the Board unanimously
closed the public hearing.
Commissioner Lyons stated that he was getting very
tired of coming up here and hearing the same story every
time. He did not see any reason for another meeting with
the Commission until the people can get this straightened
out with Jones Intercable. -
Commissioner Fletcher stated that he has consistently
voted against issuing franchises to cable companies because
he feels the communications should be between the customer
NEI
and the business offering the service. He pointed out that
the people have an option to flip the TV switch off, an
option to buy an antenna, or an option to pick up the phone
and complain loudly. Commissioner Fletcher continued that
in the past he has not voted for the rate increase because
he felt the company did not have its system well organized,
but he has seen management change and seen an effort to make
a change.
Commissioner Bird stated that although he believed the
people present are very sincere in their feelings that they
have problems with this company, costs have increased
greatly, and he could not feel that a $1.25 monthly
increase is out of line as the company has made a sincere
effort to improve service in this area. He noted that they
were given the increase in the City of Sebastian and Brevard
County some time ago, and we have been debating this issue
for well over a year. At each meeting we have had
approximately 7 or 8 people speak against the service, but
this time there also are 4 or 5 letters of appreciation for
service given by this company as well as petitions from 50
or more thanking the company for some item of service.
Commissioner Bird personally felt the rate increase is
deserved at this time.
Chairman Scurlock addressed the complaint about the
higher percentage of increase in the reconnect charge,
noting that this is a way of placing some of the burden on
those individuals who are here only a portion of the year.
He continued that he previously voted against the rate
increase because of significant problems expressed by the
public, but this time it appears there have been substantial
improvements in material replacement, and he felt if we
continue to deny a rate -increase, this company is not going
to be able to continue making necesgary improvements. The
J U L 141982 21 R�oK 50 PALE 5:30
I
J U L 141982
Chairman believed-,Jones Intercable has made a good faith
effort and that a rate increase is justified at this time.
Commissioner Lyons stated that he, too, believed that
this firm is trying to improve service and the list of -
improvements they have shown are fine, but they have not
shown him that they have cleared up the problems at Shady
Rest to the satisfaction of the people.
Commissioner Fletcher asked how many people have been
voicing the same complaint as at previous hearings, and
about 7 or 8 stood up.
Commissioner Fletcher felt the the earlier idea re
petitioning another company to come in is a viable
alternative. He noted there are about 1,000 customers in
the unincorporated area and if they could get 51% to sign a
petition, he believed the Commission would take a look into
this. He informed those present that part of the cost
increase is a result of the Commission's activity because we
are charging a 3% franchise fee on gross revenues. Commis-
sioner Fletcher continued that we have many pages of
documented improvements this company has made to this
system, but it seems the people here do not find the end
result satisfactory. He asked those present if they would
rather have a process where they complain to the Commission
or where they complain to the company.
The people indicated that it is not the increase they
object to; it is the quality and the service, and
Commissioner Fletcher noted that if they can document that
they have written Jones Intercable and did not get a
response, the Commission can take some action.
Chairman Scurlock pointed out that is because we have a
franchise procedure and that is the purpose of the franchise
agreement.
Commissioner Bird explained that tonight we are not
only considering the rate increase, but also entering into a
22
franchise agreement with Jones Intercable. This agreement
is designed to protect the customers, and there are
requirements as to minimum service, reception, expansion,
etc. Commissioner Bird did not believe that he has heard
anyone tonight say all the channels are bad, but that some
such as Channel 5 are poor. He pointed out that the further
you are from the sending station, the weaker the signal you
will receive and he did not know where in the state you can
get further from a major station.
Mr. Vickers confirmed that you can get to a certain
point by using the best equipment possible, but beyond that
you are subject to what happens in the atmosphere. He noted
that Channel 5 was hit by lightening and became very bad for
a time, but they replaced the damaged equipment and now have
a new processor on Channel 5. The only solution Mr. Vickers
could see as far as NBC is concerned is that Channel 2 out
of Orlando has contacted them and asked if they might have
tower space in Palm Bay to rebroadcast in this area. He
stated there were problems with the two Channel 21s, and
Channel 5 unfortunately is a long way off. Mr. Vickers
continued that the programs that come off the satellite (4,
7, 12, and 13) are of considerably better quality than the
others, and that was the main reason for offering more
satellite channels.
Commissioner Fletcher commented that the franchise the
County offers for this area is non-exclusive and others can
come in and compete. He noted that Breezy Village seems to
have a recurring complaint and asked if there is a real
problem or if the people there are merely extra critical.
Mr. Vickers commented that he previously worked as
engineer for Jones Intercable and he put in some of the
equipment for Breezy Village and the Lamplighter Mobile Home
Court. He noted that they come rigP{t off their tower, and
if there is a low noise level anywhere, it is probably in
J U L 14 1992 23
��aK. 50 532,
J U L 141982 50 FmbE 533
• 0
that area. Mr. Vickers stated that he stays in very close
touch with any complaints, and he is not aware of Mr.
Goldberg calling in from Breezy Village either recently or
in quite some time. He noted that at the other rate
hearings they had various people coming back with problems;
they addressed those problems and he believed those people
are not here tonight. Mr. Vickers stated that he would be
happy to deal with any reception problems that anyone has
and felt the fact that those same people aren't here is that
they have seen some improvement and no longer feel a need to
complain.
Commissioner Lyons inquired what channels Jones
Intercable provides on their system, and Mr. Vickers listed
the following:
Channel 2
Channel 3
Channel 4, CBN
Channel 5, WPTV
Channel 6, CPX from Orlando
Channel 7, TBS
Channel 8, Fort Pierce
Channel 9, Orlando
Channel 10, PBS
Channel 11, (This is 44, and as soon as
the new Channel 43 is available
from the Melbourne area, it will
replace 11.)
Channel 13, Cable News Network
Commissioner Lyons inquired which channels Mr. Vickers
felt will be of marginal quality no matter what is done, and
Mr. Vickers stated Channel 44, which they hope to replace
shortly, and Channel 5. He noted they had problems with
Channel 9, but they replaced some equipment and he believed
the people should see some improvement in the picture.
In discussion, it was noted that Channel 2 presents
reception problems in the City of Vero Beach. A lady in the
audience complained that the pictures now being shown on the
two TV's running in the Community Center were fuzzy. Mr.
Vickers displayed all channels for the Board and the
24
audience to view, and the pictures all seemed to be of a
very good quality.
Clyde Glidden of Shady Rest stated that maybe Jones
Intercable has made an effort, but they have not improved
his reception. He wished to know where the letters of
appreciation mentioned earlier came from, and Commissioner
Bird read him the addresses.
Commissioner Bird felt based on what we have heard
tonight, the major complaints seem to be on the signal
quality on Channels 5 and 11 where the company has agreed
there is a problem. It seems they do have 10 or 11 channels
that do have reasonable reception.
MOTION WAS MADE by Commissioner Bird, SECONDED
by Commissioner Lyons for purposes of discus-
sion, to grant Jones Intercable, Incorporated,
a license to operate in Indian River County
according to conditions of Ordinance 82-7 and
to grant the rate increase as advertised.
Commissioner Lyons wished to emphasize to those present
that under the franchise agreement, if they do not get
satisfaction from a company, all complaints will be referred
to the County Utility Department for investigation. He
explained the procedures involved and noted that what he is
trying to make plain is that if the people should have
continuing complaints and do not get satisfaction, they can
come to the county for a resolution of the problem.
Commissioner Fletcher explained that the County 3%
franchise fee is applied to purposes of monitoring the
franchise.
THE CHAIRMAN CALLED FOR THE;QUESTION.
J U L 14 1982 25 R�oK 50..Pac 5;34
IMMI!,
01
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@GOES 461
xt JONES ,INTERC ABLE, INCORPORATED
'
1701" U'3'�'R'i, abdttor Flori da 32970
_x,
Has this date been granted a 1 i c�ng'ejto in River County,
Florida - for a period of 20nse, al lows operation as a
d
a cording�. n Ordinance 82-7
.."-franchise CATV systern, c i * �Pr 1
The rates` as showin on they a ac ha,11=apply until changes
it 4d s
IT 010 IH U A
I
t.0
N
I
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I
EXHIBIT "A"
The following rates and charges are hereby authorized for
service under this Franchise.
1
1. INSTALLATION
New Installation $ 10.95
Reconnect (previously active) $12.50
Extra Outlet $ 7.50
Relocate Outlet $ 7.50
2. MONTHLY SERVICES
Regular Services:
One Outlet $ 8.50
Each addional outlet $ 1.60
3. MONTHLY SERVICES - COMMERCIAL
These rates are to be negotiated
on an individual basis.
There being no further business, on Motion duly made,
seconded and carried, the Board of County Commissioners
adjourned at 9:05 o'clock P.M.
ATTEST:
771G
Clerk Chairman
L- JUL 14 1982
t '
27
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