Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

The Austin City Council on Monday night voted unanimously to approve the termination of a cable television franchise ordinance between the City of Austin and Metronet because of changing market conditions, the company said.

The approval now means that the cable company will no longer offer cable to the community because prices to secure bulk contracts within the cable market are too high.

They will, however, continue to provide broadband services to the city meaning that Metronet would be required to comply with applicable city code provisions related to right-of-way conduction.

In a memo to the city from Moss & Barnett’s Brian Grogan, Metronet has agreed to pay the city unpaid franchise fees and PEG fees collected from its subscribers $15,500. It will also reimburse the city $25,000 for its reasonable costs and expenses in connection with the settlement.

This is just another step in the rather bumpy relationship between Metronet and the city since the ordinance was adopted on June 21, 2021.

Since then there have been concerns and complaints brought to the city regarding unfinished construction, damage caused by construction outside of easements and to neighboring properties and response delays from Metronet regarding these issues.

While some on the council were curious for more details, Ward 2 council member Mike Postma was more pointed in his remarks to Metronet officials on hand for Monday night’s meeting.

“It’s insane about the frustration in our city,” Postma said. “To have this gone so poorly, to be honest, you’re turning off a lot of customers.”

Wish list

During its brief work session following Monday night’s meeting, council members voted on what they would like to request in grant funding from the Hormel Foundation.

Council members ranked 12 different items that came out as such:

1. Ash Tree removal, $400,000

2. HRA Affordable Housing Project, $900,000

3. Fourth of July Fireworks, $25,000

4. Police Chaplaincy Program, $15,600

5. Police Drones, $18,185

6. Todd Park Playground Equipment, $80,000

7. Nature Center Educational Programs, $50,000

8. ADA Walkways, $20,000

9. HRA Daycare Grant Program, $10,000

10. Delivering the Data: Hot Spot Data Plans, $60,000

11. Fire Prevention and Education, $5,000

12. Speakers/Picnic Tables in Park, $11,000