HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 91-65 CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS
RESOLUTION 91-65
BEING A RESOLUTION URGING SUPPORT OF THE CABLE CONSUHER
COMPETITIVENESS ACT, HR 3560, AND URGING At~RNDHENTS TO THE
CABLE TV CONSU'HER PROTECTION ACT, S. 12
~HEREAS, the City of Columbia HeiEhts, Nin-esota, stron§ly supports competition
within the cable industry and the authority of cities to re§ulate local cable
operators;
WHEREAS, the Cable Consumer Competitiveness Act, HR 3560, would help cities
restrain cable industry abuses which include rapidly rising rate increases,
inadequate customer service, and retiering of cable channels and services; thus,
encouraging competition within the cable industry and helping cities deal with
unreasonable rate hikes and poor customer service;
WHEREAS, the Cable TV Consumer Protection Act, S. 12, currently contains
features which are not acceptable, including prohibiting cities from refusing to
award additional franchises, and prohibiting local cable operators from lowering
rates in portions of the franchise area where there is competition while refusing to
lower rates in areas where there is no competition;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Columbia
Heights, Minnesota, to urge its congressional representatives to:
1) Support amendments to the Cable TV Consumer Protection Act, S. 12, to restore a
more appropriate balance on behalf of City cable customers and City authority to
regulate rates and determine whether to award multiple franchises.
2) Support the Cable Consumer Competitiveness Act, HR 3560, providing for:
A. Local regulation of basic cable service;
B. Redefinition of basic service to mean retransmission of local broadcast
stations, PEG channels, or any other programming other than nonadvertiser
supported programming on per channel or per program basis;
C. Stringent minimum customer service standards--with authority for cities to
exceed FCC standards;
D. Local authority to deny franchise renewal for failure to provide adequate
service and/or noncompliance with franchise requirements;
E. Grant of immunity from damages for cities in claims challenging local rate
regulation;
F. City authority to award competing franchises while allowing local government
to deny unreasonable requests for cable franchises;
G. Local authority to exceed FCC (minimum) technical standards;
H. Local broadcast must carry requirements for cable operators;
I. Equipment compatibility standards to make it possible to use cable-ready
televisions, VCRs, commercial converters, and remote control devices;
J. Mandated access to programming and cable channels by independent program-
mers.
Passed this 6th day of November, 1991.
Offered by: Ruettimann
Seconded by: Peterson
Roll call: Ail Ayes
Date of passage: November 6, 1991
Wil~am J. Elrite, Secretary Pro-Tem
Edward M. C~lson,-Mayor