CSG has assisted the following communities in assessing their cable
television needs (sorted by date):
CITY OF ARCADIA,
CALIFORNIA
Tracey Hause, Administrative Services
Manager
Bill Kelly, City Manager
Steve Deitch, City Attorney
Beginning in 2006 and ongoing
throughout 2007, CSG has assisted the city in PUC filing and state
legislative activities relating to Senate Bill AB2987. CSG offered
detailed consulting on the effects of state franchising as it pertains
to the City’s current franchise agreement and franchise renewals.
Since 1994, CSG has assisted the City
in general franchise administrative duties and has provided the City
with consultant services related to the renewal and transfer of the
City's franchise with TCI Cablevision and several transfers of ownership
involving Century and Adelphia Communications. CSG completed a
community needs assessment including public meetings and extensive
interviews with City staff, comprehensive franchise performance audit,
and technical evaluation for franchise renewal. In addition, CSG
assessed department needs related to municipal cable television services
and managed the bidding and procurement of nearly $400,000 in television
production equipment. CSG also provided extensive rate regulation
assistance to the City. In 2001and 2003, CSG provided a variety of
services related to Adelphia and the City’s competitive OVS company,
Altrio Communications. Since Altrio’s reorganization and dissolution,
CSG has been actively involved in the City’s negotiations and FCC Form
394 review with Champion Communications, a potential successor
franchisee. In 2005, CSG assisted the City in transferring ownership of
the cable T.V. franchise.
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CITY OF BERKELEY,
CALIFORNIA
Chris Mead, Office of Information
Technology
Beginning in 2006 and ongoing
throughout 2007, CSG has assisted the city in PUC filing and state
legislative activities relating to Senate Bill AB2987. CSG offered
detailed consulting on the effects of state franchising as it pertains
to the City’s current franchise agreement and franchise renewals.
During 2003, CSG performed a review of
Comcast’s proposed cable television rates and made comparisons to rates
charged in 11 other cities nation-wide. From March 2002 to November
2003, CSG has performed a number of compliance related audits of AT&T as
due diligence related to the AT&T-Comcast merger -- see link to
City Council Report. Tasks included
technical department inspections, customer service audits, and audits of
bonds, insurance, franchise fees and letters of credit. In July 2000, CSG conducted a site survey and technical review of AT&T's cable plant
to confirm completion of AT&T's 1999 rebuild in the City of Berkeley.
CSG's review included analysis of system demographics, service call and
outage records, FCC proof of performance reports, sweep testing, and
subjective observations. CSG completed a survey of residential
households. Follow link to reports:
Digital Divide Report;
Executive Summary Residential Survey;
Rate Report. The workscope included meeting with City staff and task
force to finalize ascertainment depth, survey administration, analysis
and report of findings. For a two-year period (1989-1990) CSG conducted
a comprehensive test and technical evaluation of the Lenfest Cable
system to determine the cable operator's level of franchise compliance,
financial condition, and assessment of public, educational and municipal
needs. The results of CSG's needs analysis were used by the City during
franchise renewal negotiations and served as a benchmark to shape the
terms and conditions of a new cable television franchise.
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CITY OF INGLEWOOD,
CALIFORNIA
Hilda Kennedy, Public Information
Officer
Beginning in 2007, CSG has assisted the
city in reviewing the Time Warner franchise agreement which will expire
in 2012 for elements regarding PEG support as it pertains to state
franchise applications.
CITY OF IRVINE,
CALIFORNIA
Paul Boyer, IT Manager
Rick Paikoff, Budget Manager
Beginning in 2005, CSG has been studying
public needs associated with a renewal with Cox Cable. The project
studied a concept to expand facilities and operations into an integrated
multipurpose Media Center within the Orange County Great Park (OCGP).
The City contracted with Communications Support Group, Inc., (CSG) to
perform research to identify and estimate cable television capital and
operating expenses associated with a potential concept to develop a
community media center located within the proposed OCGP. Follow
Link to Media Equipment Scenarios:
Equipment List
This facility
should also be considered as a backup emergency operations center (EOC)
for the City. We offer three variable and scalable capital improvement
models based on three levels of ICTV Channel 30 operating assumptions.
In 1993 and 1994, CSG monitored the
cable operator's franchise compliance, provided support to the City's
Cable Television Advisory Board, handled customer complaints, provided
rate regulation assistance, and facilitated the City's use of cable
technology. In early 1993, CSG assisted the City in exploring potential
competitors to Dimension Cable. In 1994, CSG prepared a comprehensive
ordinance for improved cable television customer service standards and
assisted the City transfer of the cable television franchise to Cox
Cable.
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CITY OF LONG BEACH,
CALIFORNIA
Dean Smits, Video Communications
Manager
Beginning in 2006 and ongoing
throughout 2007, CSG has assisted the city in PUC filing and state
legislative activities relating to Senate Bill AB2987. CSG offered
detailed consulting on the effects of state franchising as it pertains
to the City’s current franchise agreement and franchise renewals.
For an ongoing period beginning in
2002, CSG has provided general administrative and regulatory consulting
services to the City, including telecommunications and regulatory
strategy development and franchise compliance review. In 2003 CSG began
assisting the City’s renewal process with Charter Communications, which
included a technical compliance audit and an extensive financial due
diligence review. CSG has also conducted extensive research on
“effective competition” on behalf of the City.
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CITY OF PASADENA,
CALIFORNIA
(Lori Sandoval, Technical Planning
Manager)
Beginning in 2006 and ongoing
throughout 2007, CSG has assisted the city in PUC filing and state
legislative activities relating to Senate Bill AB2987. CSG offered
detailed consulting on the effects of state franchising as it pertains
to the City’s current franchise agreement and franchise renewals.
From 1998 to present, CSG has assisted
the City in general franchise administrative duties, and has provided
the City with consultant services related to the renewal of the City's
franchise with Charter Communications, and granting of a competitive OVS
franchise with Altrio Communications. Along with extensive planning,
fact-finding, and strategy development, CSG has provided the City with a
community needs assessment, comprehensive franchise performance audit,
and technical evaluation for franchise renewal. Services have included
a review of documents, evaluation of compliance, and recommendations for
franchise renewal negotiations. CSG has been serving as an expert
witness in defending the City against litigation threatened by the
City’s cable operator related to level playing field and commercial
practicability claims. . Since Altrio’s reorganization and
dissolution, CSG has been actively involved in the City’s negotiations
and FCC Form 394 review with Champion Communications, a potential
successor franchisee.
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PUBLIC CABLE
TELEVISION AUTHORITY
Mary Morales, Former Executive Director
Marc Jaffe, Interim Executive Director
In 2004, CSG performed analysis related
to the PCTA’s renewal with Time Warner. This Joint Powers Authority
serves the Cities of Fountain Valley, Huntington Beach, Stanton and
Westminster. During the course of this engagement, CSG led a strategic
planning effort, developed PEG funding scenarios, conducted a rigorous
residential survey and compiled a community needs assessment in
preparation for negotiations with Time Warner. In 2005, CSG provided
further specification and modeling consideration for improvements to
playback of programming in Huntington Beach. CSC is currently under
contract for special services in 2006. Follow links to reports:
Needs Report and
Council Meeting Power Point Presentation
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CITY OF PORTERVILLE,
CALIFORNIA
Julia Lew, City Attorney
In 2006 and 2007, CSG assisted the City
review Charter Communications’ performance to the City’s cable
television franchise in the franchise’s final year before expiration.
CSG also explored options with regard renewal and state video
franchising. CSG is currently assisting the City in conducting a
feasibility analysis regarding governmental access production.
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CITY OF REDONDO
BEACH, CALIFORNIA
Maggie Healy, Management Analyst
Beginning in 2006 and ongoing
throughout 2007, CSG has assisted the city in PUC filing and state
legislative activities relating to Senate Bill AB2987. CSG offered
detailed consulting on the effects of state franchising as it pertains
to the City’s current franchise agreement and franchise renewals.
Since 2003, CSG has provided services
related to renewal of the City’s Adelphia franchise. In 2000 and 2001,
CSG performed a variety of services related to reviewing an application
for an OVS franchise by RCN Communications. During 1995, CSG performed
a comprehensive evaluation of Century Cable's compliance to the City's
customer service standards. Identification of non-compliance,
recommendation for corrective actions, and draft correspondence was
provided. CSG continues to provide administrative expertise related to
cable television matters on a case-by-case basis.
CITY OF SANTA ANA,
CALIFORNIA
Joe Fletcher, City Attorney
Gerardo Mouet, Executive Director,
Recreation and Community Services
CSG advised the City in matters related
to renewal of Adelphia’s franchise agreement from 2002 through 2006.
See Link to Franchise Agreement:
Execution Copy
This support included development of an interim franchise extension,
leading franchise negotiations and assisting the City Attorney with
franchise renewal. From 1984 to 1990, and from 1993
through October 1995, CSG provided professional support in administering
the City's cable franchise and managing the City's award-winning cable
television division. On a regular, part-time basis, CSG monitored the
cable operator's franchise compliance, provided support to the City's
Cable Television Advisory Board, provided support to the City's Finance
Department in monitoring franchise fee payments of the cable company,
helped handle customer complaints, monitored budget activity, and
facilitated the City's use of cable technology. CSG was completely
responsible for concept and execution of all video/cable programming
produced by the City between 1985 and 1990, and purchased more than
$500,000 in video equipment. CSG's President also handled the majority
of staff duties associated with transferring the Group W franchise
agreement to Comcast in 1987, including the deposition and relocation of
more than $1,000,000 in video production equipment and supplies. Mr.
Risk, CSG's President, was employed full-time as the City's Cable
Administrator from 1985-1987.
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CITY OF SAN
BERNARDINO, CALIFORNIA
Lori Sassoon, Assistant City
Administrator
Catherine Allison, City Manager's
Office
Beginning in 2006 and ongoing
throughout the first quarter of 2007, CSG has assisted the city
preparing for either renewing its local cable franchises or waiting to
allow the companies to apply as state video franchisees. CSG assisted
the City in analyzing compliance issues and in extension resolutions
enabling the three local franchises to be extended through the January
2, 2008 date specified in AB2987. CSG also offered detailed consulting
on the effects of state franchising as it pertains to the City’s current
franchise agreement and franchise renewals. In addition, CSG worked with
City Attorney in renewal preparation drafting governing ordinances for
state video franchising laws.
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CITY OF WALNUT,
CALIFORNIA
Charles Robinson, Assistant to the City
Manager
Beginning in 2006 and ongoing
throughout 2007, CSG has assisted the city in PUC filing and state
legislative activities relating to Senate Bill AB2987. CSG offered
detailed consulting on the effects of state franchising as it pertains
to the City’s current franchise agreement and franchise renewals.
Beginning in 2005, CSG has assisted the City in assessing community
needs, a comprehensive franchise performance audit and technical
evaluation for franchise renewal. In addition, CSG assessed department
needs related to governmental and educational access. CSG acted as lead
negotiator on the former renewal project and will serve as lead
negotiator with Charter on this renewal. From 1992 to November 1996,
CSG assisted the City in general franchise administrative duties, rate
regulation services, and with the renewal of the City's franchise with
Charter Communications.
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CITY OF CHINO HILLS,
CALIFORNIA
Raymond Hansen, Senior Administrative
Analyst
In 2005, CSG assisted the City in
transferring ownership of the cable T.V. franchise. From 1995 to 2002,
CSG provided the City with general franchise administrative duties and
later provided the City with consultant services related to the renewal
and transfer of the City's franchise with Century Cable and TCI
Cablevision. Along with extensive planning, fact finding, and strategy
development, CSG conducted a community needs assessment, a comprehensive
franchise performance audit, and technical evaluation for franchise
renewal/transfer, as well as furnishing the City with a comparative
analysis of franchise transfers. Services included extensive rate
regulation assistance, a review of documents, evaluation of compliance,
and recommendations for franchise renewal negotiations. CSG also
negotiated the terms and conditions of a renewal agreement with Adelphia
Communications.
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CITY OF DIAMOND BAR,
CALIFORNIA
Ryan McNeal, Assistant to the City
Manager
In 2005, CSG assisted the City in
transferring ownership of the cable television franchise. CSG also performed
a compliance audit of Adelphia as well as enforcement of customer
service standards.
CITY OF FULLERTON,
CALIFORNIA
Chris Meyer, City Manager
Ed Paul, Former Revenue Director
In 2005, CSG assisted the City in
transferring ownership of the cable T.V. franchise. In 1998, CSG was
engaged to perform consulting services related to the City's franchise
renewal with Comcast Cablevision. CSG conducted a comprehensive review
of Comcast compliance under the customer service requirements of the
cable television franchise agreement, the 1984, 1992 Cable
Communications Acts, and the 1996 Telecommunications Act. CSG also
conducted a comprehensive needs ascertainment. This performance
assessment included provisions of the franchise agreement and City
Codes, including any special performance requirements associated with
customer service. From 1993 to 1994, CSG assisted the City in setting
up a customer service performance monitoring and rate regulatory
program. This program includes: identification of performance related
criteria contained in ordinance and franchise documents; creation of a
customer service protection ordinance based on existing ordinance, state
laws, federal laws and FCC rules and regulations; development of a
complaint process and monitoring of performance for the City; and a
review of rate requests for reasonableness. In 2000 and 2001, CSG
worked with the City in its transfer of ownership proceedings between
Comcast Cablevision and Adelphia Communications, and a review of service
rates.
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CITY OF LONG BEACH, CA
Sherry Blohm, Cable TV Manager / Curtis Tani, Director, Information
and Technology Department
Since 2002, CSG has provided general administrative and regulatory
consulting services to the City, including telecommunications and
regulatory strategy development and franchise compliance review. In 2003
CSG began assisting the City’s renewal process with Charter
Communications, which included a technical compliance audit and an
extensive financial due diligence review. CSG has also conducted extensive
research on “effective competition” on behalf of the City.
CITY OF ALBANY,
CALIFORNIA
Beth Pollard, City Administrator
In 2002, CSG performed an audit of AT&T
as due diligence related to the AT&T Comcast merger. Task included
technical department inspections, customer service audits, and audits of
bonds, insurance, franchise fees and letters of credit. CSG assisted
the City in its negotiations regarding the transfer of a cable franchise
from Century Cable to TCI Cablevision. Since March 1993 CSG has
performed a number of compliance related audits of the City’s cable
television operators. CSG assisted the City with various franchise
administrative services including strategic planning and clarification
regarding issues of transfer. CSG also conducted a comprehensive
compliance audit of Century Communications, along with a comparative
analysis of franchise transfers, a needs ascertainment and assessment,
and document review, including review of FCC Form 394 when Century was
being transferred to Adelphia. CSG was particularly helpful in
negotiating a settlement of a dispute of first refusal in the transfer
of the franchise from Century to TCI in 1998. In this transaction, the
City received a settlement in excess of $100 per subscriber (more than
$340,000).
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CITY OF RICHMOND, CA
Cecily McMahan, Cable Television and Telecommunications
Since May 2002, CSG has performed a number of compliance related audits
of AT&T as due diligence related to the AT&T-Comcast merger. Tasks
included technical department inspections, customer service audits, and
audits of bonds, insurance, franchise fees and letters of credit. Also, in
June 2002, CSG conducted a site survey and technical review of AT&T's
cable plant to confirm completion of AT&T's 1999 rebuild in the City of
Richmond. CSG's review included analysis of system demographics, service
call and outage records, FCC proof of performance reports, sweep testing,
and subjective observations. In addition, in 2002, CSG completed a survey
of residential households. The workscope included meeting with City staff
and task force to finalize ascertainment depth, survey administration,
analysis and report of findings. The results of CSG's needs analysis were
used by the City during franchise renewal negotiations and served as a
benchmark to shape the terms and conditions of a new cable television
franchise.
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SIERRA MADRE,
CALIFORNIA
Tammy Gates, Former City Manager
In 2001, the City retained our services
to be lead negotiator in a franchise renewal for two franchises
involving Adelphia Communications and Altrio. Tasks included
determination of resources, delegation of duties between other
consultants, financial reviews, and drafting franchise agreement
language. We continue to negotiate the terms of the franchise and
reached conclusion by summer 2003.
COUNTY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO,
CALIFORNIA
Ellen Sturtz, Former Franchise Administrator
In 2001, the County retained our services to be lead negotiator in a
franchise renewal for two franchises of the County involving Charter
Communications. Tasks included determination of resources, delegation of
duties between other consultants, financial reviews, and drafting
franchise agreement language.
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CITY OF PETALUMA,
CALIFORNIA
Gene Beatty, Former Assistant City Manager
In 2000, CSG performed a fourth year review of AT&T Cable Services related
to franchise compliance, technical compliance, and franchise fee payments
made to the City during the period of July 1998 through December 1999.
Services included a review of documents, evaluation of compliance, and
recommendations.
CITY & COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO,
CALIFORNIA
Ed Harrington, Controller
In 1996, CSG performed a three-year procedures audit of Viacom Cable
related to franchise fee payments made to the City during the period of
July 1993 through June 1996. Detailed audits were performed of all sources
of revenues relating to subscriber and non-subscriber revenue.
Recommendations were made for collecting amounts found underreported and
for drafting franchise language for future franchise transfer agreements.
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COUNTY OF MONTEREY,
CALIFORNIA
Aleta Cozart, Former Deputy CAO
From 1992 to 1995, CSG was contracted to update and revise provisions of
County's ordinance as they relate to customer service and performance. CSG
completed a compliance audit of the two cable operators as a part of the
process. CSG also provided a variety of services related to the County's
rate regulation proceedings and franchise administrative issues in
general.
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CITY OF MISSION VIEJO,
CALIFORNIA
Danian Hopp, Former Assistant to the City Manager
From June 1991 to June 1995, CSG provided a variety of cable television
consulting services. In 1991, CSG monitored franchise compliance and
established action plans for cable utilization by the City. Duties
included research and report writing concerning equipment, staffing,
budgeting, and other elements of municipal programming operations and
facilities. Work scope also included production of City Council meetings,
other special meetings, and capital project management of a $130,000 video
production facility. In 1993, CSG prepared a strategic plan for provisions
of the franchise dealing with public, educational, and government access
television. In 1994, CSG implemented and managed a community access
television model at Mission Viejo High School. In 1993 and 1994, CSG
performed rate regulatory consulting and assisted the City in transferring
its cable franchise from Multivision to Cox Cable.
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COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO,
CALIFORNIA
Gerry Hansen, Former Director Department of Weights and Measures
From June 1992 to July 1993, CSG provided on-site cable television
administration services related to the County's 18 cable television
franchise areas. CSG services included customer complaint handling,
customer service performance auditing, franchise fee reconciliation, and
technical performance auditing. Compliance reports were provided on a
quarterly basis. Meetings and compliance hearings were coordinated as
needed. CSG provided additional consumer affairs support via telephone
hotline services available to more than 100,000 subscribers.
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CITY OF SAN FERNANDO,
CALIFORNIA
Mary Strenn, Former City Manager
In 1993, 1994, and 1995, CSG audited cable TV franchise documents, records
and complaints concerning a transfer of ownership between Valley Cable TV
and Cablevision Industries. CSG submitted a compliance checklist and
report. CSG also provided legal and technical assistance for City
negotiations with Valley Cable and assisted with the development and
management of the Cable Television Advisory Board and implementation of
rate regulation matters.
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CITY OF TEMPLE CITY,
CALIFORNIA
Isa Kravitz, Former Assistant to City Manager
In 1993, 1994, and 1995, CSG was contracted to assist the City with
franchise renewal proceedings and rate regulatory activities related to
its cable company, Crown Cable. Tasks included a compliance audit;
community needs assessment, franchise fee audit, renewal questionnaire,
rate reviews, rate hearings, and planning for renewal negotiations.
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CITY OF NORWALK,
CALIFORNIA
Dan Keen, Assistant City Manager
In 1993 and 1994 CSG was contracted to assist the City with franchise
renewal proceedings with Crown Cable. Tasks included a compliance audit,
community needs assessment, franchise fee audit, renewal questionnaire,
and assistance in renewal negotiations.
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CITY OF SANTA BARBARA,
CALIFORNIA
Pete Wilson, Assistant City Manager
CSG assisted the City in 1991-92 in negotiating a modification of its
franchise agreement with Cox Cable concerning more than $200,000 for
public access support and facilities. CSG provided an analysis of
developing and operating a non-profit access corporation and audited
public access operations to evaluate the City's regulatory and fiscal
relationship to PEG access in the City.
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CITIES OF CYPRESS, LAKEWOOD & LA PALMA,
CALIFORNIA
Ron Kenny, Director of Recreation and Community Services
In 1998 CSG was retained to conduct a comprehensive review of Media
One's compliance under the customer service requirements of the cable
television franchise agreement and the 1984, 1992 Cable Communications
Acts, along with the 1996 Telecommunications Act, in each of three cities
(La Palma, Lakewood, and Cypress). This performance assessment of the
cable operator also includes the provisions of the franchise agreement and
City Code, including any special performance requirements.
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CITY OF INDIAN WELLS,
CALIFORNIA
Charlie Francis, Former Administrative Services Director
In 1992 and 1993, CSG assisted the City's renewal/transfer negotiations
with Palmer CableVision. CSG completed a community needs assessment
including public meetings and extensive interviews with City staff, a
comprehensive franchise performance audit, and technical evaluation for
franchise renewal. Services included a review of documents, evaluation of
compliance, and recommendations for franchise renewal negotiations. In
addition, CSG provided extensive rate regulation assistance to the City.
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CITY OF GARDENA,
CALIFORNIA
Mitch Lansdell, City Manager
From 1989 to 1992, CSG performed a variety of technical, administrative,
and policy related services concerning Group W Cable. Services included
compliance auditing, franchise fee analysis, public access planning and
development, and technical audits of the cable system associated with
customer service.
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CITY OF LOS ANGELES,
CALIFORNIA
David Hankin, Former Deputy General Manager, Telecommunications
From 1989 to 1993, CSG served as the City's public access compliance
auditors. CSG's services included periodic reviews and compliance reports
for all fourteen cable television franchises in the City, including the
inspection of more than $2,000,000 in video equipment. CSG's services also
included recommendations for corrective actions and franchise enforcement.
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COUNTY OF SANTA BARBARA,
CALIFORNIA
Patricia Montemayor, Cable Television Administrator
In 1990, CSG conducted a review of the County's cable television
enforcement activities and made recommendations for improvements.
Activities included technical assessments and operational recommendations.
Project planning focused on costs and benefits between full-time personnel
and contract staffing.
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CITY OF HERMOSA BEACH,
CALIFORNIA
Mary Rooney, Former Assistant City Manager
In 1989, CSG completed a comprehensive franchise performance audit and
technical evaluation. CSG reviewed documents, offered evaluations,
recommendations, and action plans for continued enforcement of cable
regulatory provisions by City staff and for documenting community access
needs. In 1993 and 1994, CSG assisted the City with its franchise renewal
proceedings including ordinance and franchise review, financial analysis
and an assessment of the impact of rate regulation. Later, in 2000, CSG
assisted the City again in reviewing community needs and franchise
provisions for an OVS competitive cable television franchise with RCN
Communications. This matter required a thorough review of historic and
transfer related franchise requirements related to fiber connectivity,
public, educational, and governmental access equipment and facilities. CSG
also performed a financial analysis of RCN’s proforma.
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CITY OF DUARTE,
CALIFORNIA
Don Pruyn, Former Assistant City Manager
In 1988, CSG conducted a comprehensive analysis of the City's municipally
held cable system. Multifaceted audits were performed in the following
four areas: Financial; Contract Compliance; Management; and Marketing. The
results of our work supported the City's decision to sell its interest in
this municipally held cable television system for $15,000,000.
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