Minutes-09/13/1989

The Tiffin City Council met in regular session on Wednesday, September 13, 1989 at the fire station. Mayor Potter called meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Council members present were Storer, Morgan, Eggers and Stratton. One seat vacant. Also present were Attorney Greenleaf, Engineer Hart, Barry Rimm, Mike Ryan, Rodney Wallis, Bob Herring, Duane Smith, John Killian, Steve Peterson and Alan Kern. Mayor Potter appointed Jim Bartels to fill the vacant council seat created by Ted Spivey's resignation, term expiring December 31, 1989. Clerk administered the oath of office to Jim Bartels. No one spoke during community forum. Motion Stratton second Eggers to approve agenda. Carried unanimously. Motion Morgan second Eggers to approve minutes of August 9, 1989. Carried unanimously. Discussion with John Killian, general manager of Vantage Cable Associates, Inc., and Steve Peterson, manager of Iowa City branch of Vantage Cable. Stratton asked if more than one cable guide could be mailed with the statement. Killian reported that the extra postage would cost too much and that most companies do not mail a guide since the same information appears in the newspapers. He also stated that guides will be mailed separately from the bills so that customers will receive the guide before the first of the month. The guides are provided by Showtime and Vantage has no control over the size of print. Stratton asked why Hille pays the same rate as Tiffin, but Hille gets more stations. Killian reported that the size of the system effects the rate paid by the customers. Stratton asked why TBS is off so much. Killian asked that customers call the company to report problems with the system, but if the problem is intermittent, it is harder to detect. The office hours at 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and they also have an answering machine for messages. Potter asked if fire department could have an installation free of charge. Killian agreed. Killian: We plan to add five (5) channels on November first and make a rate adjustment. The new channels will be NICK, TNT, A&E, C-SPAN and Disney, a pay channel not part of Basic. The rate will rise $14.95 per month with an additional outlet costing $8.50. Peterson: The current rate is $11.50 for Basic. HBO and Showtime are each $9.50. HBO will go up to $9.95 and Showtime will go down to $8.95. Killian: Franchise agreement says Basic rates will not occur within one year of franchise agreement. Stratton: I thought it was one-year from hookup. The service didn't start until February or March. Storer: What is the starting point? Peterson: We think it's from the date the agreement was signed in June, 1988.