HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 94-28RESOLUTION NO. 94- 28
RESOLUTION REGARDING HOUSE FILE 3636 AND THE NEED
FOR RETENTION OF LOCAL FRANCHISE REQUIREMENTS
WHEREAS, the City of Columbia Heights, Minnesota ("City") has reviewed House File
3636 regarding a national communications infrastructure for telecommunications and
competition; and
WHEREAS, the City is concerned that House File 3636 must be carefully evaluated to
ensure the preservation of local jurisdiction over cable television services; and
WHEREAS, the City believes that the public has benefitted significantly and has been
served through local regulation, that local regulation has evolved over a period of time, after
considerable public expense, to ensure that cable television is responsive to local needs; and
WHEREAS, in Minnesota, a carefully planned and drafted State Cable Act (Minn. Stat.
Chapter 238) has served to guide and promote the development of cable television; and
WHEREAS, Minn. Stat. § 238.01, the Declaration of Legislative Findings and Intent,
provides in pertinent part the following provision which we believe to be relevant for
consideration by Congress in enactment of House File 3636:
the Legislature of the State of Minnesota has determined that while
cable communications serve in part as an extension of interstate
broadcasting, that their operations also involve public rights-of-
way, municipal franchising, and vital business and community
service, which are of state concern; ... that the municipalities and
the state would benefit from valuable educational and public
services through cable communications systems; that the cable
communications industry must provide the opportunity for minority
participation and benefit which its diversity promises; ... that the
cable communications industry is in a period of rapid growth and
corporate consolidation and should proceed in accord with regional
and statewide service objectives; ...
WHEREAS, the City believes that based on the legislative intent of Minn. Stat. Chapter
238, as well as mandated policies and procedures under Chapter 238, municipalities have joined
with other municipalities throughout Minnesota to create arrangements, on a negotiated basis
with cable operators, to ensure that the legislative intent of Chapter 238 is met; and
WHEREAS, the City desires that the franchising structure that has been devised and
developed over time in the State of Minnesota be retained.
NOW,
1.
THEREFORE, in a regular meeting of the City, it was resolved as follows:
That the Congressional delegation serving the State of Minnesota
must be informed of the nature and extent of the City's concern
that local regulation and oversight of providers of technology for
receiving, amplifying, transmitting, or otherwise distributing video
signals or programming or other new video, data, and interactive
services must be continued.
That House File 3636 must include adequate safeguards to ensure
that municipal regulation is retained.
That the City will make this Resolution available to the Minnesota
Congressional delegation, adjoining communities and other interest
groups including the League of Minnesota Cities, the Metropolitan
Council, and other applicable Minnesota associations and
organizations.
Passed this
26~h day of Auril , 1994.
Offered by: Nawrocki
Seconded by: Ruett irnann
Roll Call: All oyes
sep~z Sturdevan~f, Mayor
Anne Studen~c-~, Council Secretary