Roanoke Rapids City Council this evening approved a change in its cable television franchise that reflects Comcast Corporation becoming the ultimate owner of the franchise.
The change, City Manager Joseph Scherer said, recognizes an agreement signed on April 25 where Charter and Comcast restructured Charter's ownership to become a wholly owned subsidiary of Comcast.
At this point no other terms change with the franchise agreement, city Councilman Carl Ferebee said, with Scherer confirming, “All other agreements are in place.”
Councilman Wayne Smith did question a 10 percent senior discount that was built into the last franchise agreement struck with Charter. That discount appears to be no longer applicable, Smith said.
Scherer said he would investigate to determine whether that discount was still in place.
The current franchise agreement, according to working papers in this evening's agenda, note that the current franchise agreement will expire March 31, 2016.
Scherer said the city will schedule public hearings for the community to give input when that date gets closer.
In another matter this evening, Scherer, responding to a question by Smith, said he continues to search for a commercial real estate agent that can work in conjunction with local agents to market and sell the Roanoke Rapids Theatre. The city manager said he hopes to have something for council to review on that matter in the next month or so.