Title
Introduction of Incorporated County of Los Alamos Ordinance No. 762: An Ordinance Repealing Ordinance No. 754 and Granting a Cable Franchise to Comcast Cable Communications Management, 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. 762: An Ordinance Repealing Ordinance No. 754 and Granting a Cable Franchise to Comcast Cable Communications Management, 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.
On June 9, 2026, the County Council adopted Ordinance No. 754 to grant 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 County. Due to corporate reorganization, Comcast of Florida/Michigan/New Mexico/Pennsylvania/Washington LLC is no longer a legal entity that can execute the franchise agreement attached as Exhibit A to Ordinance No. 754. As a result of such corporate reorganization, Comcast Cable Communications, LLC is now the legal entity that will construct, operate, and maintain a cable system in the public rights-of-way and provide cable service within the County. Ordinance No. 762 expressly repeals Ordinance No. 754.
This Ordinance, if adopted, will grant a cable franchise to Comcast Cable Communications Management, LLC with terms delineated in the ordinance including a 10-year term and Franchise Fee equal to 5% of Comcast's gross revenues. Such terms are the same as those approved for Comcast of Florida/Michigan/New Mexico/Pennsylvania/Washington LLC by Ordinance No. 754.
Proposed Public Hearing Scheduled: September 8th, 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. 762 Cable Franchise