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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-154 CCRMember Kay Lasman introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption: RESOLUTION NO. 2005-154 RESOLUTION TO SUPPORT CONTINUED AUTHORITY OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT REGARDING FRANCHISING OF CABLE SERVICES WHEREAS, the City of Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, (herein "City") through its City Council adopts this Resolution to express its concern about proposals coming before Congress that will adversely affect the ability of local governments to continue to franchise cable services; and WHEREAS, the Minnesota Cities of Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Crystal, Golden Valley, Maple Grove, New Hope, Osseo, Plymouth, and Robbinsdale created a joint consortium known as the Northwest Suburbs Cable Communications Commission (herein "NWSCCC") approximately twenty (20) years ago to streamline cable television administration in our area and to ensure that the needs and interests of each member city was represented in regard to the initial development, installation, and continued operation of cable television through our cities' public right-of-way; and WHEREAS, NWSCCC has proven to be an effective, efficient model for developing and administering cable franchises, addressing concerns about the use of public right-of-way, and handling customer service issues; and WHEREAS, NWSCCC has developed a national standard for providing local programming that promotes civic involvement, public awareness of community news, and events via public, educational, and government cable channels; and WHEREAS, NWSCCC has provided each member city with the tools to efficiently televise city meetings, and provide citizens with gavel-to-gavel coverage and easy access to their local government officials and the decision-making process; and WHEREAS, by providing gavel-to-gavel coverage of local government meetings and local news, NWSCCC has promoted openness and accountability, a key ingredient to successful government and strong communities; and WHEREAS, the NWSCCC has advised the City of recent proposals which Congress is considering that would damage the role of local governments in granting cable franchises and negotiating franchise agreements with local cable operators that meet the unique needs and interests of communities; and WHEREAS, on behalf of the City and other communities that are part of the NWSCCC, the NWSCCC has written to Congressional members requesting help with the preservation of local control; and RESOLUTION NO. 2005-154 WHEREAS, because Congress is giving increasing consideration to principles that threaten the interest of the City and other members of the NWSCCC as well as cities throughout the country, the City believes that through this Resolution now is the time for local government to take a stand to protect the local authority and it is absolutely essential for Congressional representatives to fully understand the importance of retaining the current structure of local franchising authority, which has proven itself to be an effective system for governing the utilization of public rights-of-way by private industry offering cable and related services; and has spawned an important local communications tool; and WHEREAS, many communities throughout the country, including the City and the other members of the NWSCCC consortium, expended substantial sums to negotiate franchises that ensure that local needs are met, including the development of local community programs and televised public meetings of community interest; and WHEREAS, NWSCCC and its member cities have worked diligently with cable service providers to offer service to all citizens within the franchise area without regard to location or income status; and WHEREAS, certain Congressional legislation has the potential to destroy these community benefits, robbing communities of rightful sources of revenue for utilization of public right-of-way; and WHEREAS, the proposals under consideration would eliminate the ability of the City and other NWSCCC cities to: • Cablecast city meetings; • Replace aging cable television equipment; • Provide the award-winning local newscasts and community programming covering our franchise area; • Offer public access facilities to allow citizens to produce local, community- oriented, and diverse programming services; and • Ensure that all citizens of the community area offered access to cable television regardless of their income status or location. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, that: 1. The City hereby vigorously opposes any federal legislation that will reduce the right of local governments to approve and administer franchised cable services; to charge reasonable franchise fees for the use of the right-of-way; to establish benefit requirements including public, educational, and governmental access channels, including funding, facilities, and equipment for such channels; and to RESOLUTION NO. 2005-154 require dedicated capacity or institutional network systems for educational and governmental purposes. 2. Representatives serving the City and each of the Member Cities of the NWSCCC, within the United States Senate and House of Representatives, be made aware of this Resolution, and that they be invited to confer with community leaders to become better informed on the special needs and interests of the City and other Member Cities of the NWSCCC, and to commit to fight against any form of legislation that will reduce the rights of localities with regard to local franchising and cable system administration and enforcement. 3. A copy of this Resolution shall be provided to each of the Member Cities that is part of the NWSCCC and shall be also through a certified copy delivered immediately after its passage to the members of the U.S. Congress serving this City. 1 October 24. 2005 Date Ma or ) I ATTEST:'-WPM 4".1 City Clerk The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was duly seconded by member Kathleen Carmody; and upon vote being taken thereon, the following voted in favor thereof: Myrna Kragness, Kathleen Carmody, Kay Lasman, and Diane Niesen; and the following voted against the same: Mary O'Connor; whereupon said resolution was declared duly passed and adopted.