Minutes 2001/08/10
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Posting
Agenda
Roll Call
Charter Com.
Special Meeting
August 10,2001
Gilroy, California
The Mayor led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
The City Clerk noted that the agenda had been posted on August 7, 2001
at 2:47 p.m.
Present: Councilmembers: Guadalupe Arellano, Charles S. Morales, Al
Pinheiro, Roland Velasco, Anthony C. Sudol III, and Thomas W. Springer;
Absent: Councilmember: Peter D. Arellano - 3:02 p.m.
The Mayor noted a request by Charter Communications for waiver of the
undergrounding requirements as per Section 24.25(i)(9)a. of the Gilroy Municipal
Code.
Assistant City Attorney Houston reviewed the request for a one-time waiver of
the undergrounding requirements.
City Engineer Smelser added that the City has required undergrounding, and
noted that the old "pedestals" were probably allowed, because the equipment was
old. He stated the new equipment is high quality, and that it is called for in the
new franchise. He reviewed the memorandum from the Buske Group, which
provided information regarding the issues associated with the complete
undergrounding of cable television system equipment, and showed pictures of
other cities' cable installations.
John Adams introduced Ken Arellano, Sal Balesteri, and Steve Noble. He
noted that the pictures from Union City that were given to the Council, shows that
the equipment is already being eroded. He stated that the industry standard is to
place this equipment aboveground. He noted in the Buske Group memorandum
that undergrounding is disruptive to the neighborhood and the equipment tends to
wear out faster. He stated that he was unaware of the undergrounding
requirement. He reviewed a presentation on the new cable system.
At 3:50 p.m. Councilman Pinheiro left the Council Chambers and returned at
3:53 p.m.
Ken Arellano, noted for the record that he is not related to Councilmembers G.
Arellano nor P. Arellano. He reviewed some ofthe slides in the presentation
relating to the location of pedestals.
For the record, the Mayor stated that he met with Charter and staff on July 31,
2001. He requested to see the "boulders" that cover the equipment, and Charter
brought out two different "boulders" for display for amplifier covers.
For the record, Councilman Pinheiro stated that at 9:00 a.m. yesterday he met
with Charter and went out to neighborhoods to see what equipment would be
above ground and which would be undergrounded. He questioned whether just
the amplifiers and the power supplies would not be undergrounded, and was told
those plus the fiber nodes would be above ground.
John Adams stated that 111 amplifiers, 19 nodes, and 50 power supplies would
be above ground. He stated that there would be 180 above ground pedestals, and
that 95% of the pedestals would disappear.
(At 4:20 p.m. Councilman Sudol left the Council Chambers and did not
return).
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Adjournment
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Ken Arellano explained that if the pedestal could, it would be placed in the
green strip, if not, they would work with the property owner for placement. He
explained that the new pedestals are more secure, and lock down. He stated that
the technicians replace the equipment as needed.
Roland Velasco stated that he met with Charter and saw the "boulder" covers.
He noted that he toured the City with Charter, and he noted the "little green
things" all over.
Motion was made by Councilman Pinheiro, seconded by Councilmember G.
Arellano and carried (Councilman Morales voting no and Councilmembers P.
Arellano and Sudol absent) to continue this request to September 4,2001.
At 4:35 p.m. the Mayor adjourned the meeting.
Respectfully submitted, Q
~A- ~'
/s/ RHONDA PELLIN
City Clerk