1975 12 16CITY COUNCIL MEETING -Continued Meeting
City Hall -Council Room
December 16,1975
8:00 P.M.
Members present:Councilman Robt.Hill,Gill Moe,Norm Johnson,Mike Boyle,Gordon Ebbert
Don Swanson and Otto Skaug.
Mayor Ebbert called the meeting to order stating the Council meeting is a continuation of the
December 9th,1975 Council Meeting.He called for approval or correction of the minutes
of that meeting of December 9th.Motion by Boyle the minutes be approved as written.Second
by Hill with a question regarding his motion for Ordinance No.743;stated he did not waive the
second reading.The ordinance will be presented again for the second reading at the December
23rd Council Meeting.Motion carried.
RESOLUTION NO.745 -1976 SALARY SCHEDULE
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A letter was read from City Manager Chet Waggener,stating the accompanying resolution
outlines the proposed 1976 salaries for all non-union employees.The proposed 10.0%adjust
ment corresponds to the change in Seattle Consumer Price Index,August 1974 to August 1975.
This is In accord with preliminary discussion with the City Council.A single asterisk Indicates the
salary step for department directors in 1976.A double asterick Indicates positions proposed for re
classification as follows:
1.City Planner -proposed increase to the same level as Building Official.
2.Accountant -proposed decrease to accommodate a change in experience level of the
person currently appointed to this position.
3.Court Clerk -proposed Increase to more nearly correspond with County Court Clerk salaries.
The resolution was read by title only.
Motion by Moe for adoption of the resolution.Second by Swanson.Motion carried.
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ACCEPTANCE OF UNION AGREEMENT -FIRE FIGHTERS
A letter was readfranCity Manager Chet Waggener,stating the Union negotiations have been
compieted with Local #2052,International Association of Fire Fighters,covering fire protection
officers for the Moses Lake Fire Department.That agreemert has been signed by the President
of Local #2052.It is a two-year agreement,with proposed salaries on Page 7 of the contract.
The wage-benefit package provides a 15.6%increase in 1976,with an increase for 1977 in accor
dance with Seattle Consumer Price Index plus approximately 4.0%.These are 'catch-up provisions
because the 1974 and 1975 salaries were negotiated at a low figure prior to the rapid escalation of
costs and wages.
Mayor Ebbert Inquired what percent would the Education Premium Pay be?The percentage is
based on Step "C"of the Plan.They can receive 2\%after 45 credit hours,and 2\%additional
after 90 credit hours toward an applied arts degree in Fire Science or Social Science as offered
by Big Bend Community College,
The City Manager added,that actually the entire package is a 'catch-up',because 15.6%would
obviously be a high increase for one year,but need to remember that they received 3.2%increase
in 1973 and were scheduled for 2.9%Increase far1975 which the Council authorized increasing
by 4.%.That was also offset by decreasing on-duty working hours,which they negotiated In the
contract,and had to be considered part of the pay package.In terms of actual dollars their in
crease over the last two years has been very low.
Johnson moved for adoption of the contract.Second by Boyle.Motion carried.
SAMMONS COMMUNICATIONS FRANCHISE -TELEVISION CABLE COMPANY
City Manager Chet Waggener stated,that after the last meeting Mr.Strange addressed the Council
and offered to come back and give additional information tonight,and with him is Ronald Holley,
Vice President-Controller of Sammons Communications,Inc.of Dallas,Texas.Although the Council
tabled the the matter,added ChefWaggener,they are not obligated to take any action until the
meeting scheduled for December 23,1975.
Bill Strange was present and stated he would like to give some additional information to the
Council to help them in their deliberations.He distributed to the Council copies of the Federal
Register,as well as copies of the Company's annual audited report.He spoke briefly on three
areas;one dealing with the length of time of franchise;one with the performance of their system
and one with finances.
He read and presented a letter from the firm of Dow,Lohnes &Albertson,Communications
Attorneys and practice before the FCC,regarding the length of franchise forcable television
companies.Also presented a Summary and Analysis of the FCC.
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Council Meeting Minutes:2 December 16,1975
Bill Strange stressed that Sammons Communications intend,plan and do commit funds necessary ^—,
to Improve the performance of the three television channels that was raised in public hearing
on December 9th.Just that amount of money alone is sizable and specifically need a longer term
than a shorter franchise.
In connection with performance standards,copies of performance charts checked by the FCC were
also submitted."We want to reiterate our commitment to improve that performance of standard,"
added Bill Strange."Close to $12,000 will be expended in the next 30 to 60 days."
Regarding Finances,he summarized Ronald Holley's letter addressed to the Moses Lake City
Council.Along with the previous operating statement presented,statistics were submitted
showing miles of system,potential subscribers and actual subscribers as of December 31,1974
for their Washington Operation (consisting of Moses Lake,Larson Base,Othello,Ephrata and
County area).The charts submitted showed the relative position of Moses Lake to their total
operation In the area.
The third section of summarization was a schedule of fixed assets and reserves for depreciation
for the yeaisl973,1974 and 1975.
The fourth section was an explanation of allocations made to Washington operations.
The fifth section referred to copies of Sammons Communications,Inc.audited financial state
ments for year ending December 31,1974.
Controller Ronald Holley stated,the company would make an approximate $7,000 additional
next year with the proposed 45<?per month rate increase.They did net 10.6%return on its
local Investment In 1974,but along with long term debts,cable television is a considered a high
risk investment by banking institutes because it is very competitive and faces rapid Improvements
in equipment technology.The competition referred to,is not just other companies,but from'
through the air television signals and other forms of entertainment.Also added that a recent
survey done by the University at Berkley concluded that returns for television cable need to be • -
22%to 25%.
Otto Skaug asked Bill Strange —Last year you spent over $100,000 in microwave,to improve
what -what did you improve?Bill Strange stated they had to bring signal from an additional spot
to bring over our own microwave.We pledge to improve those signals.
Otto Skaug also commented that nobody has complained about the $6.50 to $6.95,only about
the quality of certain channels are in question.
Bill Strange commended the Council for their questions,which they did not object to,and the
questions were reasonable,and thanked them for allowing him to bring additional information
before making their decision at the December 23rd meeting.
Motion by Skaug to adjourn.Second by Moe.Meeting adjourned at 9:10.
'MAYOR,Gordon M.Ebbert
ATTEST:
City Clerk,R. R.Gagnler