00-09 - 02-15 - Telecommunications Restructuring Government Needs Resolution 00-9 February 15, 2000
Member Micks introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption:
RESOLUTION SUPPORTING TELECOMMUNICATIONS
RESTRUCTURING THAT MEETS LOCAL GOVERNMENT NEEDS
WHEREAS, the Minnesota legislature is considering legislation to restructure the
telecommunications industry during the 2000 legislative session; and
WHEREAS, multiple legislative proposals for telecommunications restructuring have
been developed by the Administration and key legislators interested in telecommunications
issues; and
WHEREAS, portions of these proposals negatively impact and could even eliminate
a local government unit's ability to effectively provide community television services and
institutional networks by eliminating local franchise authority and associated franchise fees
which are currently used to regulate cable companies and fund community television
operations; and
WHEREAS, the provision of community television services meets many significant
information needs of local communities by providing community news and information
regarding local public and political events not available from any other source.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Golden
Valley, Hennepin County, Minnesota, that:
1. The City of Golden Valley is opposed to any telecommunications restructuring
legislation that does not maintain sufficient local control and authority, through
franchising or otherwise, to allow cities to continue to define and meet local community
telecommunications needs, including the provision of community television service and
institutional networks.
2. The City of Golden Valley is opposed to any telecommunications restructuring
legislation that does not maintain a stable and local source of revenues, equivalent to
existing and future revenues provided by franchise fees and through franchise
agreements, for cities to meet defined local telecommunications service needs,
including the provision of community television services.
3. Current telecommunications restructuring proposals contemplate the development of a
universal service fund. The City of Golden Valley supports the concept of a universal
service fund, but only to the extent such a fund does not jeopardize or eliminate existing
or future locally defined telecommunications initiatives like the provision of community
television services, and only to the extent that available federal resources are first
accessed fully and are insufficient to fund such a program.
Resolution 00-9 - Continued February 15, 2000
4. The City of Golden Valley is opposed to any telecommunications restructuring
legislation which will use, shift or redistribute local franchise fees, which currently
support community television services, for a universal service fund unless an
equivalent, continuing and undiminished source of replacement revenues is first
established.
5. The City of Golden Valley supports codifying portions of federal cable law so that
uniform standards will apply consistently within the State of Minnesota.
Gloria L. Johnson; Mayor Pro Tem
ATTEST:
Shirley J. Nelson, City Clerk
The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was seconded by Member LeSuer
and upon a vote being taken thereon, the following voted in favor thereof: Bakken,
Johnson, LeSuer and Micks; and the following was absent: Anderson, and the following
voted against the same: none, whereupon said resolution was declared duly passed and
adopted, signed by the Mayor Pro Tem and her signature attested by the City Clerk.