The Comcast franchise agreement renewal came back up for consideration today. Council member Harrell began by reiterating what the City can and cannot regulate: it can’t regulate prices, and it can’t regulate Internet services (that’s regulated by the federal government). He also went through the litany of benefits for the city from Comcast, from Internet access and cable modems for non-profits to $500,000 of grants to local programs and $8 million of revenues for the City.
The additional benefits negotiated last week were not incorporated into a new draft of the agreement; they remain in a separate letter. But the City Attorney’s office asserts that the letter binds Comcast to provide them.
The Council voted 8-0 to approve the agreement (Council member Bagshaw was absent today).