SIUSLAW NEWS ❚ SATURDAY, APRIL 7, 2018
Franchise
had to repeal Ordinance No. 24,
Series 2003, set in place before
language was added to the
Florence City Code about com-
munications
providers,
and
approve Resolution No. 5, Series
2018, the franchise agreement
with Charter.
“Based on our legal counsel’s
advice, since we have our code
language now, future franchise
agreements for communications
providers will be done through
resolutions,” Messmer said.
According to the staff report,
passing franchise agreements via
resolutions
that
reference
Florence City Code allows for a
simplified process for updating an
agreement.
At a request from Charter, the
franchise agreement only address-
es cable. Separate laws govern
agreements for phone and inter-
net, but Charter is primarily a
cable company who also provides
the other services.
“Internet and voice is add-
ressed in our city code,” Messmer
said. “They have been paying fees
on those since we enacted that.”
Franchise fee revenue supports
from 1A
Staff also defined a 10-year
term for the agreement; kept
police powers; set out insurance
and non-discriminatory policies;
and required that the service
availability include the entire city
in its service area.
“Our service area is our entire
city limits. Any time that a prop-
erty is annexed into the city, we
provide that information to
Charter and it becomes part of
that service area. If the area is
already receiving service from
one of the franchisees, that is
added to our fee that we receive,”
Messmer said.
Florence receives 5 percent of
gross revenues provided within
the city as the franchise fee, as
well as access to the Public,
Education and Government (PEG)
Channel, which airs Florence City
Council meetings for Charter
Cable customers, and free cable
drops to city government build-
ings, Siuslaw School District and
Siuslaw Public Library.
First, Florence City Council
General Fund services, such as
streets and public safety.
Councilor Joshua Greene asked
some clarifying questions about
the fees for cable, voice and data.
Messmer said that fees can’t
come from data usage, as “there
are really strict rules that say,
‘You can’t tax the internet.’ We
don’t base our franchise fee on the
amount of data you use, but on
gross revenue of what you pay.
“As a consumer, I use Charter
internet, and I pay the same each
month whether I am home all
month or gone.”
She
reiterated
that
the
Telecommunications Ordinance
still applies to Charter as a com-
munications provider, but this
agreement specifically looks at it
as a cable service.
“We’re very thankful for our
legal counsel in helping us to
understand this, since it is very
complicated,” Messmer said.
“There are many state and federal
regulations that manage it, and
they can be interpreted in differ-
ent ways. … We’re not taxing the
internet. We’re charging a fee for
the right of way because they are
Unitarians hear
about the Prophet
Mohammed
using it.”
Charter Communications likely
passes the 5 percent fee to the cus-
tomers.
“By doing this and by keeping
current with our franchise agree-
ments and the Telecommunic-
ations Ordinance, you as a city
council are creating a fair playing
field for all providers,” said City
Manager Erin Reynolds.
Messmer agreed.
“Now, every (service provider)
gets noticed at the same time,” she
said. “Everybody has the same
opportunity to provide service,
everybody is charged the same fee
based on the same city service
area for what type of service they
provide. We’ve outlined it and it
applies to everybody. It’s not a
case-by-case basis, which is what
it was prior.”
Councilors heard two readings
of Ordinance No. 1, Series 2018,
an ordinance repealing
Ordinance No. 24, Series 2003,
and approved it in a roll call vote.
Afterwards, councilors approved
the franchise agreement in
Resolution No. 5.
Sunday, April 8, from 10 to 11 a.m. at the
Florence Unitarian Universalist Fellowship,
the Rev. Dr. Ruth Miller will lead the worship
service titled: “The Blessed Prophet
Mohammed’s Ascension.”
Soon, all of Islam will be celebrating an
event that is the reason they consider
Jerusalem one of their sacred sites. Although
The Prophet lived, fought and died in what is
now Saudi Arabia, he had a vision — what
may even have been a physical experience —
that took place on the site of what is now
called “the Dome of the Rock” on the Temple
Mount in Jerusalem.
Miller will share the story and its signifi-
cance for Mohammed’s followers — and for
us, today.
Florence Unitarian Universalist Fellowship,
87738 Highway 101 at Heceta Beach Road, is
wheelchair accessible.
Each service concludes with refreshments
and a dialogue circle to explore the questions
that come up during each worship service.
For more information, visit florenceuuf.org.
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541-991-7739
1749 Highway 101 • 541-997-1200
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541-997-6054
THIS WEEK COAST
ON
THE
A W EEKLY L ISTING OF C OMMUNITY E VENTS IN THE F LORENCE A REA
S UBMIT ALL E VENTS I NFORMATION VIA E MAIL TO P RESS R ELEASES @T HE S IUSLAW N EWS . COM
Mondays and Thursdays
through April 14
9 a.m. to noon
Pregnancy and Parenting Center
1525 12th St.
541-902-2273
Tax Prep Assistance
AARP Foundation Tax-Aide
9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Siuslaw Public Library
aarpfoundation.org/taxaide
With Dr. Bryan Mehlhaff
5 to 7 p.m.
Open to public
Presbyterian Church of the Siuslaw
541-999-4239
Single Ladies & Widows Oil Change
9:30 a.m. to noon
Open to single women; free
Cannot service diesel vehicles
Florence Church of the Nazarene
1536 12th St.
Thursdays from
April 12 to May 24
New Testament Class on St.
Matthew
Taught by Joel Marks, adjunct profes-
sor of American History
6:30 to 8 p.m.
Open to public; refreshments served
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints
April 11
Florence Garden Club
1 to 3 p.m.
Open to public
Presbyterian Church of the Siuslaw
April 12
Florence Area Democratic Club
Meeting
11 a.m.
Open to the public
Siuslaw Public Library
“Essential Oils to Help Your Cancer
Journey” with Elaine McMillian
Cancer Health and Education Group
1:30 to 2:30 p.m.
OPB Financial Center — elevator
available
1365 Highway 101
April 9
SAPPSA Meeting
3:30 p.m.
Open to public
Siuslaw Public Library
April 7 to 8
Watercolor Society of Oregon
Spring Conference 2018
Registration Required
Florence Events Center
watercolorsocietyoforegon.com/news-
events/exhibitions-and-conven-
tion/2017-western-fed/
April 12 and 13
Exhibit: “Architecture of
Internment: The Build Up to
Wartime Incarceration”
All day
Open to public
Siuslaw Public Library
www.grahamstreetproductions.com
April 10
Florence Startup Happy Hour
Presented by RAIN
Open to 21+ entrepreneurs and busi-
nesses
Beachcomber Pub
April 7
Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser
Donations accepted
April 13
Us TOO Florence Prostate Cancer
Support Group
Alva Bracey
Coastal Women Veterans Luncheon
11:30 a.m.
Open to women veterans and their
families
Rosa’s Mexican Restaurant
RSVP to cjwright13@gmail.com or
559-817-9027
Florence Household Hazardous
Waste Roundup
Noon to 5 p.m.
Free for households; small fee for
businesses, schools, churches or non-
profit
Florence Transfer Station
2820 Rhododendron Drive
April 13, 14 & 15
CROW presents Disney’s “Tarzan”
Featuring Reveler’s Aerial Works
7 p.m. showings: Friday, Saturday
2 p.m. showings: Saturday, Sunday
Tickets required
Florence Events Center
crowkids.com
April 14
Florence Household Hazardous
Waste Roundup
8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Free for households; small fee for
businesses, schools, churches or non-
profit
Florence Transfer Station
Expect excellent
service when you
buy or list with me.
Cell: 541-505-1180
Alva@CBCoast.com
Call 541-997-8104,
Florence Antiques
&
Coast Jewelers
541-997-7777
100 Hwy. 101,
Florence, OR
COAST REAL ESTATE
CUSTOM ENGRAVING
& CUTTING
jmirvis@charter.net
Florence, Oregon
Early Rhody Flower Show
Siuslaw Chapter of the American
Rhododendron Society
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Open to public
Florence Events Center
Visit rivercal.org for
more calendar events.
Member MTNA
and OMTA
Phone (541) 997-9497
1234 Rhododendron Dr / Florence
Call or Email
520.850.3563
maryjo3663@msn.com
m
Village Grooming
CCB# 55030
County Transfer & Recycling
541-997-5691
541-361-9080
April 15
Private Lessons in Florence
for Ages 6-Adult.
Auto, Home, Life, Business
Flood, Antique Auto, RV’s
Medicare Advantage Plans
Medicare Supplements
Health Insurance
2nd Saturday Gallery Tour
3 to 5 p.m.
Various locations in Old Town and
Uptown Highway 101
2ndsaturdaygallerytour.com
Teacher-Pianist
Accompanist
Awards • Plaques • Name Badges
Gifts • Signage • Glassware
Early Rhody Flower Show
Siuslaw Chapter of the American
Rhododendron Society
1 to 5 p.m.
Open to public
Florence Events Center
Mary Morganti
We buy, sell and consign quality
estate/heirloom jewelry & furniture.
Gold, silver, platinum jewelry with
precious & semi precious stones.
Call, Text or Email
“DNA: What’s It All About?”
Family History Seminar
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Registration required
Florence Events Center
www.siuslawgenealogy.org
MM Piano Studio
ESTATE JEWELRY AND
ANTIQUE FURNITURE!!!
Broker
2820 Rhododendron Drive
Glass For Every
Purpose
1780 Kingwood St.
541-997-8526
Commerical • Residential
Weekly, Bi-Weekly, Monthly,
One Time Pick-Up.
Easy curb side recycling program-
No additional costs to our customers.
5078 Coastwood Lane
Call us at 541-997-8233
4981 Highway 101,
across Munsel Lake Rd
541-305-5411
Call for appointment
