2006-261
RESOLUTION NO. 2006-261
A resolution urging the Wisconsin Congressional delegation to oppose
legislation that would lead to the elimination of local cable franchising. (File
Resolution No. 2006-261)
WHEREAS, bills have been introduced in the United States House of Representatives
(HR. 3146 - Blackburn-Wynn) and the United States Senate (S. 1349 - Smith-
Rockefeller and S. 1504 - Ensign-McCain) that would unfairly and needlessly impose
restrictions upon the ability of municipalities to exercise appropriate local controls over
the provision of communications services in their communities; and,
WHEREAS, these bills would preempt local franchising for telephone companies and
replace local franchising of incumbent cable operators with vague, weak, and
unenforceable state or even national franchising; and
WHEREAS, these bills would replace locally negotiated and controlled PEG (Public,
Educational, and Government) Access channel requirements with minimum national
standards that would not allow financial support for these channels, contrary to current
Federal law and the current local franchise agreement, which could result in the loss of
important local programming directly relating to the needs and interests of the residents
of Janesville; and
WHEREAS, these bills would replace locally determined franchise fees with a uniform
national fee structure which would reduce needed revenues to Janesville; and
WHEREAS, this proposed legislation would severely restrict the City's ability to manage
its public rights-of-way; and
WHEREAS, these bills would eliminate "build-out" requirements for any video service
provider, thereby allowing providers to discriminate based on the wealth of the local
neighborhoods they choose to serve; and
WHEREAS, this legislation would deprive local citizens of the ability to address issues
and request recourse locally by moving all customer support services to the state level
or to the Federal Communications Commission; and
WHEREAS, the City of Janesville encourages competition in the delivery of cable
services, and believes Janesville residents benefit from market competition that occurs
within the existing legislative and regulatory structure of local franchising; and
WHEREAS, the City of Janesville believes that the existing legislative and regulatory
structure of local franchising is in the best interests of its citizens and does not impose
an undue burden upon the ability of telecommunications companies to introduce their
services into the Janesville area market;
NOW, THEREFORE, LET BE IT RESOLVED By the Common Council of the City of
Janesville, that these bills would negatively impact the City of Janesville and its
residents; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the Common Council that the City of Janesville
opposes H.R. 3146, S. 1349, and S. 1504, and urge its Wisconsin Congressional
delegation (1 st Congressional District U.S. Representative Paul Ryan and United States
Senators Herb Kohl and Russ Feingold) to oppose these bills or any similar legislation.
ADOPTED:
March 13, 2006
Motion by: w;11;ams
Second by: Addie
Councilmember Aye Nay Pass Absent
Brunner X
Brien X
Williams X
Wellnitz, Tim X
Wellnitz, Tom X
DeGarmo X
Addie X
ATTEST:
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
~~~
City Attorney
Proposed by: City Manager
Prepared by: Community Information Specialist