HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 99-90RESOLUTION 99-90
BEING A RESOLUTION OPPOSING ANY
LEGISLATION THAT WOULD REVOKE THE CITY'S AUTHORITY TO
NEGOTIATE, AWARD, AND REGULATE CABLE TEI-~VISION FRANCHISES
WHEREAS, the City of Columbia Heights has been granted the legal authority to negotiate, award, and
regulate cable television franchises under both federal statute Title 6 and Minnesota State Statute Chapter 238;
and
WHEREAS, the City of Columbia Heights accepted the responsibility that comes with the awarding of
the cable television franchise, including ensuring that the cable company meets the identified needs of the
community such as community television and institutional networks and serving as a local resource to resolving
customer service issues; and
WHEREAS, state legislation has been proposed that would repeal Chapter 238 and revoke the City's
authority to award a cable television franchise, eliminate the City as a local resource to its citizens for resolving
customer service issues, and remove the City's ability to receive direct support for community television and
other provisions that meet community needs; and
WHEREAS, it has not been demonstrated by any means that local governments' role in cable franchising
("~impedes in any manner the ability of cable and telecommunications companies to offer full and competitive
services; and
WHEREAS, while the City of Columbia Heights acknowledges the regulatory challenge of addressing
the convergence of voice, video and data services, local governments are essential to any legislative discourse
in this area and must retain authority to ensure continued local support for its community;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT, the City of Columbia Heights must retain its authority
to franchise companies providing cable television services and is hereby opposed to any legislation that would
revoke this authority and that it further asserts its Constitutional rights to retain its local authority to enter into
contracts to serve its community.
Passed this 8t~ day of November, 1999.
Offered by: Szurek
Seconded by: ~Iolly
Roll Call: All Ayes
William Elrite, City Clerk
ayor