HomeMy WebLinkAbout92-028
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CITY OF ARDEN HILLS
RAMSEY CDUNl'Y, MINNESal'A
RESOLUTION N). 92-28
A RESOLUTION URGIN3 THE MINNESal'A CXlNGRESSICIlM. DF.T.~ON TO 00-
S1'ONSCR AND SUPPORT ClUlLE ImISLM'ION WHICH WOULD PROVIDE CXlNSUMER
PRuu:A....l'.1ON FCR ClUlLE TELEVISION SUBSCRIBERS, PRESERVE CXIlMUNITY
TELEVISION CH1lNNELS AND FUNDIN3 SUPPORT, AND PROl'ECT THE CITY'S
AUTHClRITY TO cx:In'ROL AND MANl\GE ITS PUBLIC RIGHTS-oF-WAY
WHERElIS, the 1984 Cable Act deregulated cable subscriber rates in over 90
percent of the cable systems in the United states; and
WHERElIS, the economics of cable television, like those of local telephone and
electric service, do not favor head-to-head corrpetition between cable
companies, thereby =eating a de facto monopoly even when franchises are non-
exclusive; and
WHERElIS, subscriber rates have increased dramatically, far higher than the
annual rate of inflation, since the enactment of the 1984 Cable Act; and
WHERElIS, proposed alternatives to the cable company monopoly, telephone entry
into the cable business and direct broadcast satellites, have no provisions
f= community television channels = funding for public, educational or
government access; and
WHERElIS, the Federal Communications Connnission has issued a ruling favoring
Video Dialtone Service, which would allow telephone companies to provide
television services without having to request a franchise to use the public
rights-of-way from the local government, thereby usurping the local
government's authority to control and manage this valuable piece of public
property; and
WHERElIS, local regulatory cable conunissions and local governments are not
protected from legal claims challenging local regulation =ntemplated by
applicable federal, state or local law or franchise; and
WHERElIS, H.R. 3560, which was introduced by Congressmen Eckart and Cooper,
contains provisions that clearly represent =nsumer interests and better
balance the regulation of cable television services; and
NCM THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the city of Arden Hills that the Minnesota
Congressional Delegation be strongly en=uraged to =-sponsor and support
legislation in the House of Representatives, such as H.R. 3560, that would
redress these deficiencies.
'Ihis Resolution was moved by Councilperson
by Councilperson Paul Malone .
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Passet!~ a~9~OO: this 11th day of
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'Ihomas R. ther
Mayor
'Ayes,,' 4 (Sather, Mahowald. Growe, Hicks)
Nayes: I (Malone)
Dale Hicks
, and duly seconded
May
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