HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 92-07CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS
RESOLUTION 92- 07
BEING A RESOLUTION REGARDING SUPPORT OF H.R. 3560,
SUPPORT OF L(X~AL REGULATORY CONTROL OF TELCO ENTRY
AND OBJECTION TO RETRANSMISSION FEES
WHEREAS, the United States Congress is currently considering various legislative initiatives regarding
cable television;
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Columbia Heights is extremely concerned about serious
anticonsumer trends in the cable television industry;
WHEREAS, the deregulation of cable rates charged the citizens of Columbia Heights has resulted in
a 289% increase in rates from $7.95 in 1980 to $22.95 in 1992;
WHEREAS, in addition to skyrocketing, unregulated rates, the market rate paid per subscriber in the
sale of the Columbia Heights' system has rapidly inflated over a six year period resulting in owner
profiteering at the expense of consumers;
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Columbia Heights is extremely concerned by the Federal
Communications Commission's final ruling permitting the provision of video dial tone service by phone
companies without any local regulatory controls;
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Columbia Heights objects to a regulatory scheme which
requires that cable companies must carry over-the-air television signals and also allows television signal
providers to charge cable companies for retransmission of those signals;
WHEREAS, the Columbia Heights/Hilltop Cable Communications Commission has unanimously
endorsed H.R. 3560 and urged the City Council to do the same and to communicate that endorsement to its
congressional delegation;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Columbia Heights
strongly urges its congressional delegation to:
1. Support H.R. 3560;
2. Include in any future cable legislation which permits telephone companies to provide video/cable
service, a requirement that telephone companies be required to obtain franchises from municipalities
in which they attempt to do business; and,
3. Oppose any legislation that would require cable companies to pay retransmission charges to providers
of over-the-air television signals.
Passed this 2~th day of February , 1992
Offered By: Nawrock i
Seconded By: Rue t t i mann
Roll Call: A1 1 ayes
Date of Passage:
-An~e Student, CounCil~ecretary
Donald J. ~Murzyn, Jr., M~y~r