Title
Incorporated County of Los Alamos Ordinance No. 754: An Ordinance Granting a Cable Franchise to Comcast of Florida/Michigan/New Mexico/Pennsylvania/Washington LLC, to Construct, Operate and Maintain a Cable System in the Public Rights-of-Way and to Provide Cable Service, Within the Incorporated County of Los Alamos; Establishing the Terms and Conditions of the Franchise Agreement; and Establishing Certain Remedies for the Violation of the Franchise
Recommended Action
I introduce, without prejudice, Incorporated County of Los Alamos Ordinance No. 754: An Ordinance Granting a Cable Franchise to Comcast of Florida/Michigan/New Mexico/Pennsylvania/Washington LLC, to Construct, Operate and Maintain a Cable System in the Public Rights-of-Way and to Provide Cable Service, Within the Incorporated County of Los Alamos; Establishing the Terms and Conditions of the Franchise Agreement; and Establishing Certain Remedies for the Violation of the Franchise and ask staff to assure that it is published as provided in the County Charter.
County Manager's Recommendation
The County Manager recommends that Council introduce this Ordinance.
Body
Pursuant to the Cable Communications Policy Act of 1984, the Cable Television Consumer Protection and Competition Act of 1992, and the Telecommunications Act of 1996, which amend the Communications Act of 1934, the Congress established procedures and standards in order to, among other purposes, provide for the orderly renewal of cable television franchises, encourage the growth and development of Cable Systems and establish certain requirements for use of Public Rights of Way, and provide for regulation of cable systems. The Incorporated County of Los Alamos (“County”) intends to exercise the full scope of its governmental powers, including both its police power and contracting authority, to promote the public interest and to protect the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of Los Alamos County. The rights granted under any other ordinance purporting to grant Comcast of Florida/Michigan/New Mexico/Pennsylvania/Washington LLC (“Comcast”), or its predecessor, franchise rights, are superseded and of no further force and effect; no violation of the expired ordinance shall be considered a breach of this Franchise or give rise to any proceeding for liquidated damages, revocation or termination of this Franchise.
This ordinance, if adopted, will grant a cable franchise to Comcast of Florida/Michigan/New Mexico/Pennsylvania/Washington with terms delineated in the ordinance including a 10 year term and Franchise Fee equal to 5% of Comcast's gross revenues.
Proposed Public Hearing Scheduled: May 19, 2026
Alternatives
If this ordinance is not introduced and eventually adopted, then Comcast would not have a current franchise agreement.
Fiscal and Staff Impact/Planned Item
There is minimal staff impact and the fiscal impact will be determined by the franchise fees established in the franchise agreement.
Attachments
A - Ordinance No. 754 Cable Franchise