Council to Evaluate Cable TV Service

Comcast Cable will be a topic of discussion at the Simi Valley City Council meeting Monday as members decide whether the cable giant is meeting the needs of customers.

Using criteria such as basic cable rates and service standards set down in the city’s 1990 agreement with the company, city staff has recommended that members declare the service adequate at their meeting, which will begin at 6:30 p.m. Monday at City Hall, 2929 Tapo Canyon Road.

Comcast Cable is the sole provider of cable services to Simi Valley residents.

The current $27.08 monthly cost of cable will climb to $27.95 beginning Feb. 1 to reflect inflation changes.

Other fees will also change.

New connection fees will increase by more than $2 to $39.78. Reconnection fees will increase $1.55 to $30.42.

Other charges, however, will fall.

Remote controls, for which residents are now charged a flat fee of 39 cents a month, will cost just 14 cents. And charges for a change of service will drop 60 cents to $11.70.

During fiscal year 1996-97, Comcast Cable received more than 5,400 requests for service. During the same year the city received just 173 complaints about the service, city officials said.