The Greenwood City Council voted Tuesday to approve a 10-year franchise agreement with Suddenlink for cable services, with the understanding that the council would review the deal after five years.
The agreement, which takes effect March 31, was approved by a 6-0 vote. Ward 1 Councilman Johnny Jennings was absent.
City Attorney Don Brock and consultant Greg Fender had reviewed the deal, which includes free cable service for city buildings such as the police, fire and public works departments as well as the city schools’ libraries.
“The free services are a tremendous part of this contract, because we’ve never gotten that,” Mayor Carolyn McAdams said.
Ward 6’s David Jordan asked Suddenlink’s general manager, George King, what the average rates would be. When King said he didn’t know that number, Jordan asked for the minimum rate, and King said it would be about $60 a month for limited service.
Jordan said people had complained to him that they had been forced to make difficult choices between cable and other expenses because the rates were so high.
“I admire what you’re doing for the city, but the city’s got about 16,000 people out there, and a lot of them can’t afford your rates,” he said.
He asked whether there was a chance the rates could be lowered, and King said he could take that question to Suddenlink’s corporate managers.
King said the provider offered a program called Suddenlink 100 a few years ago that cost about $25 a month for a limited number of channels. However, the lineup didn’t include popular choices such as sports channels, so very few people signed up, and the option has since been removed.
Jordan asked Brock if he was satisfied with the new proposed agreement, and Brock said yes.
Council President Ronnie Stevenson said, “From what I read, it’s probably going to be one of the best deals we put on the table for the city of Greenwood.” He said he would like to see competition for cable service, but “if another company thought they could beat Suddenlink’s prices, they’d be here.”
“I can’t predict the future, but I can tell you now, if we don’t tie this down, things are going to change for the worse,” he said.
Jordan suggested adding a provision to allow the council to review the deal in five years to make sure Suddenlink is complying with the terms. King said that he didn’t think there would be a problem but would take the agreement to an attorney.
Brock said the agreement could be terminated by either party in certain limited circumstances, such as deceit, fraud or failure to deliver services, and doesn’t prohibit competition.
Also at the meeting:
nThe council approved advertising for bids for the renovation of the Police Department building. John Beard of the architectural firm of Beard + Riser said he knew of one local contractor that was interested in the project and other candidates could emerge later.
nThe council approved a three-year lease on more than 1,800 acres of industrial land to Dr. Harold Wheeler. The Leflore County Board of Supervisors had already accepted Wheeler’s bid, which was the only one submitted. On Tuesday, Stevenson said, “Farm land value is so low now that I expect we may be fortunate to get this.”
nBeth Stevens gave an update on the Downtown Greenwood Farmers Market. Stevens, who is co-managing the market with her husband, Glen, asked council members to encourage interested people to attend an informational meeting today at 5:30 p.m. at the Greenwood-Leflore County Chamber of Commerce. The market is to open in late May and continue through September, from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays at the corner of Howard and Johnson streets. Stevens said vendors need not be large-scale producers, and in fact most of them are “backyard gardeners.” Items offered include fresh produce, canned goods, baked goods, plants and flowers. She said no license is needed to sell produce, but those wanting to sell items such as meat, eggs, dairy products and seafood must have licenses.
• The council approved a memorandum of understanding with Amlex Properties LLC regarding a building on Grand Boulevard. The agreement gives the city a right of way for 90 days to repair and clean drainage systems in the back of it.
• McAdams praised the Public Works Department and wastewater treatment plant staffs for their work during the recent storms keeping the ditches clean and preventing flooding in the streets.
• Jordan said some cadets from the U.S. Military Academy would be visiting Greenwood at the end of May to learn more about Mississippi history and asked others on the council to consider meeting with them.
• Contact David Monroe at 581-7236 or dmonroe@gwcommonwealth.com.
