[RP TownTalk] Fwd: Special Legislative Meeting Agenda: March 17, 2014

[James D. Holmes]

Mayor Archer

I am reading the agenda for Special Legislative Meeting for Monday March 
17, 2014 and noticed that the following Legislative Action Item.

3.    Introduction of *Emergency Ordinance 2014-OR-02* to amend the 
franchise agreement with Comcast of Maryland.


Why is the Town introducing an *Emergency Ordinance* to amend the 
franchise agreement with Comcast of Maryland?  The Town had posted a 
notice in March 2012 under Resolution 2012-R-02 to participate in joint 
negotiations with other Prince George's County and municipalities for 
the renewal of the Town's cable franchise with Comcast.

If you had appointed a Riverdale Park Cable TV Franchise Committee to 
oversee the renewal of this contract, there would be no need to 
introduce an *Emergency Ordinance* to prevent the current contract from 
expiring on April 5, 2014.

Additionally, is the Town planning to correct a problem with the unequal 
franchise fees being collected between Comcast and Verizon?

Comcast has collected up to *6.5%* of the Cable TV Bill vs. Verizon 
collecting *5% *.

The Riverdale Park Franchise Fee should be set at a maximum 5% flat fee 
for the Cable TV portion of the monthly bill.  No other fees should be 
added.

Over the past 10 years, Comcast has increased the Cable TV charges over 
*88%*.  What has the Town done to protect the residents from these 
unjustified increases?


J. Holmes




-------- Original Message --------
Subject: 	[RP TownTalk] Special Legislative Meeting Agenda: March 17, 2014
Date: 	Fri, 14 Mar 2014 12:10:25 -0400
From: 	Jessica Barnes <jbarnes at riverdaleparkmd.gov>
To: 	<townannounce at riverdale-park.org>, <towntalk at riverdale-park.org>



*Town of Riverdale Park*

*Special Legislative Meeting *

*March 17, 2014*

*8:00 p.m.*

**

*AGENDA*

**

*Call to Order*

*Approval of Agenda*

*Public Comments on Non-Agenda Items*

**

*Legislative Action Items:*

 1. Motion to reject bid response to the Town of Riverdale Park RFP for
    the Town Hall Addition project

 2. Motion to waive bid requirements and award a contract to McInturff
    Architects in the amount of $127,000 for schematic design of Town Hall

 3. Introduction of Emergency Ordinance 2014-OR-02 to amend the
    franchise agreement with Comcast of Maryland

*New Business *

*Unfinished Business *

*Adjournment *

Jessica

Jessica E. Barnes

Town Clerk

Riverdale Park

5008 Queensbury Road

Riverdale Park, MD 20737

www.riverdaleparkmd.info <http://www.riverdaleparkmd.info/>

301-927-6381



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