The Cable Franchise Agreement with Comcast of California/Maryland/Pennsylvania/Virginia/West Virginia, LLC (“Agreement”) will expire on August 31, 2022.  Due to the complexities of renewal negotiations, Comcast and Town staff anticipate it is unlikely negotiations will be complete prior to the termination of the Agreement.  Comcast has consented to an extension of the Agreement until January 31, 2023 to complete negotiations.  Staff recommends the Council consent to extend the term of the Agreement.

The Town and Comcast of California/Maryland/Pennsylvania/Virginia/West Virginia, LLC (“Comcast”) entered into a Cable Franchise Agreement on September 7, 2007 for a period of fifteen years.  The Agreement expires on August 31, 2022.  Negotiations to renew the Agreement are underway but anticipated to last longer than the Agreement’s termination date.  To avoid termination of the Agreement prior to renewal, Staff recommends extending the term of the Agreement until January 31, 2023.  By letter dated July 19, 2022 Comcast has consented to the extension of the term of the Agreement.

The current Comcast Cable Franchise Agreement terminates on August 31, 2022.  Comcast and Town staff concur it is prudent to extend the time period for renewal negotiations until January 31, 2023 to avoid termination of the Agreement.

There is no budget impact created through an extension of the Comcast Cable Franchise Agreement until January 31, 2023.  All obligations of the Agreement remain in force during this period.

I move that the Council approve Resolution Number 22-07-02 extending the term of the Cable Franchise Agreement with Comcast of California/Maryland/Pennsylvania/Virginia/West Virginia, LLC, until January 31, 2023.