City Seeks Upgrades From Cable Provider

As Moorpark officials get ready to negotiate a new cable contract, they are putting together the same kind of wish list that any resident might when shopping for more TV channels.

Moorpark leaders want improved service and other items such as Internet access and video on demand.

“The main concern that I have is the upgrading of Mountain Meadows,” Councilman John Wozniak said. “The cable up there has been lousy for a long time, because the equipment is so outdated.”

Moorpark has hired two outside consultants from Telecommunications Management Corp. in Los Angeles to help negotiate with cable TV provider Adelphia Communications Corp. The city is paying $19,200 for the consultants.

“We will look at what types of facilities they have provided historically to support education [and] governmental needs,” said Michael Friedman, vice president of Telecommunications Management. “Then we will compare those with what the city wants.”

The consultants also will review Adelphia’s performance to determine whether the cable system needs to be upgraded, Friedman said.

Adelphia is expected to make $3.74 million in gross revenue from Moorpark this year, said Dana Shigley, city administrative services director.

The city is tabulating the results of a survey sent to residents and businesses last year to give the consultants more information about cable service satisfaction and any extras customers desire.

The survey asked whether Moorpark residents would be interested in high-speed Internet access through cable modems. Although the results are not complete, Wozniak said he believes there is a strong desire for more technology to deliver DSL Internet access.