Metronet dropping cable, keeping internet business in city

The Berea City Council considered two measures that will change the way the communication company MetroNet does business in town.

According to the proposed agreements, the cable television facet of the company’s 2021 franchise agreement with the city will be dropped. However, a revised contract is now up for consideration. If approved, the contract will extend the company’s internet and communication service in town for the next 10 years.

On Tuesday, the council unanimously adopted a resolution stipulating a compensation agreement with MetroNet, dropping the company’s cable TV service and accepting $10,000 in fees.

Interim City Administrator Shawn Sandlin explained that the company elected to drop television service to 15 customers in town. The new contract states company representatives will contact those customers to provide them with an Amazon Fire TV Stick, if wanted.  

The council then heard the first reading of an ordinance officially revising the 2021 franchise agreement to include internet and communication service only. Berea City Councilmember Teresa Scenters asked if this would affect other internet service providers in town, to which Mayor Bruce Fraley responded that other services will continue to be available. The new franchise agreement, which gives the company access to city infrastructure, such as power poles, will come up for a second and final reading on Feb. 18.  


In other business, the Berea City Council unanimously adopted a resolution approving an agreement with the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority, in which the city would act as the agent for accepting a $1.3 million loan for a water/sewer line project for the Central Kentucky Regional Airport.

On Monday, the Madison County Airport Board voted to accept a construction contract with Chasteen Enterprises. A grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission for over $1 million has already been awarded for the project, according to Fraley.

Fraley noted the project has the support of the various entities represented on the board, including Berea, along with the city of Richmond, Madison County Fiscal Court, and Eastern Kentucky University. The loan from the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority is expected to be repaid with revenues from airplane hangar rentals at the airport, Fraley said.

In other action, the council voted to accept a contract from Endeavor Fire Protection for approximately $7,700. Fraley said because the vendor, Adam Coons, is an employee of the city, the council was obliged to determine if there was any violation of ethics laws. After reviewing the transaction, Fraley said three things were determined. The original vendor who was providing the service for $21,000, is no longer serving Kentucky. The lower price is more advantageous to the city, and the vendor was the sole bidder for services needed by the fire department. Additionally, ethics laws require that the public should be notified before transaction takes place.

The contract was reviewed by corporate council, finding the city was in compliance with the terms of the ethics policy/ The council voted unanimously to accept the contract.  

The council’s next meeting is scheduled for February 18.