HomeMy WebLinkAbout1988-06-13Request by Sim Polis to Speak to Council re: Cable
Item/Subject: Television Services
Responsible Department: City Manager
the Watiaily Restaurant has been attempting w obtain cable services for
several years. At the present time, the area is not served by the Cable
Company. The nearest cable location is located m the opPcsite aide of Main
Street and services the Pickering Building. The major obstacle facing Mr.
Suite is the Cityws current policy of not allowing oecniub d wires in the
downtown area. In order to have cable service, the Cable Company would he
required to put in an unaergroum cable under Main Street and down water
Street to Mr. Puiia"a Restaurant.
For several years, there has been a temporary set of electrical lines which
do cross Main Street in the vicinity of the intersection with Water Street.
These wires were installed to provide electrical service for a variety of
civic events which had previously been scheduled in the area where we are
now constructing the Parking Garage. At various theme, we have planned to
Nave these poles and cables rammed. Currently, however, this temporary
service is providing ha with poser for the attendants booth in the Park a
_ Sh%1Zt snp also for construction activities at the site of the rev Parking
Garage. Mr. Puiia's request is that we permit the Cable Company to run
temporary service to his Restaurant using the current overhead wires that
are present. We anticipate that these wires will be required until the
Parking Garage opens in December of this year. Our intention would be to
than request that Bangor Hydro remove their wires aM then we would take
downthemepoles.
Mr. Suite appeared at the Public Safety Committee to make this request. TTe
requast was not granted. My remmandation at that time sea that permission
to provide temporary service only be granted should a permanent solution be
` found to providing Mr. Puifa with cable services. My obvious concern is
that while it might be fairly easy to grant temporary permission, it would
M very difficult to revoke this permission at the time the poles were
rammed unless a pernanent solution was found. I also suggested at that
time that .Sohn Frawley of our staff investigate the costs which might he
associated with providing underground service to the Restaurant. He has
been doing this and has been coordinating his efforts with the Cable
Company, and I hope to will be able to present a report. at the nesting.
Should Mr. Foils find the cost estimate for extending cable underground W
be reasonable, and should he and the Cable Company come to an agreement on a
permanent extension of ouch service, I would support the temporary use of
the existing poles. Under such circumstances, we would be assured that at
some point in the reasonable future permvent service would be provided and
the poles could he removed. My major concern, of mores, is that we rot
make any lag -Mar or potential long -tear commitment to any property owner
in the downtown area to provide overhad services. Mr. Puiia has asked that
M he permitted to appeal the decision of the Public Safety Committee to the
full Council. While there are no guarantees, it is nN hope that same
solution can he found which will insure Mr. Putts permanent provision of
Item No.
Page —of —
June 13,1988
I quest by Sim Puiie to
speak to Council Re:
Cable Television servicee
Temporary Service Granted