OJAI : City Casts Lot With Cable Consortium

The city of Ojai has became the latest Ventura County agency to join a proposed cable television consortium that would hire an attorney to advise officials about new federal cable televisions laws.

The Ojai City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to join the cities of Thousand Oaks, Oxnard and Ventura in the consortium, but only if at least three other agencies also agree to participate.

“The new ruling is very complex and we all feel we don’t have the expertise to deal with the complexity of the issue,” Ojai Councilwoman Nina Shelley said. “It’s cost-effective.”

The deal would provide the seven participants with a seminar conducted by Los Angeles attorney Tracy Westen and a booklet detailing the intricacies of local government’s authority under new federal cable regulations.

A newsletter updating information about proposed new laws would also be available. As many as 11 area agencies were invited to buy into the program for $1,150, but at least two have declined.

Simi Valley had retained an expert on its own before the idea was floated around, and Camarillo officials said the issues would be dealt with within the city attorney’s office.

Each council that has approved participating in the plan stipulated that at least seven agencies must join or the plan would be voided.

When the Ventura City Council voted to join the consortium a week ago, some council members expressed concern that costs would escalate over time.

“Do you have any idea how this can grow?” Councilwoman Cathy Bean asked city staff.

Ventura City Manager John Baker estimated that it could cost the city up to $70,000 to hire an employee to take care of cable regulations. Joining the consortium would cut costs, he said.

After some discussion, the council decided to participate, but with the condition that city staff members would consult them about any costs beyond the initial $1,150.

Ventura County and the city councils of Westlake Village, Agoura Hills and Moorpark have yet to consider the offer.