HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. 92-11 RESOLUTION NO. R92-11
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF FRIENDSWOOD, TEXAS, SUPPORTING THE APPROVAL
OF THE UNITED STATES SENATE BILL 5-12 TO
REVISE TIiE CABLE COMMUNICATI�N POLTCY ACT
OF Z984, AND EXPRESSING GENERAL CONCERN ABOUT
THE NEED FOR GREATER LOCAL GO�TERNMENT
REGULATORY AUTHORITY AND URGING THE PRESIDENT
NOT TO VETO TfIE FINAL LAW.
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WHEREAS, the Cable Communicatians Act of 1984 restricted
states and local governments abilities to regulate the cable
television industry directZy; and
WHEREAS, since the passage af the Cable Co�ununicatian Act of
1984, concentrations af awnership amaunting to manopolies
have increased among cable ogerators, even though the Act
was intended to pramote competition in cable communicatians
and minimize unnecessary regulations that impQSe undue
econamic burden on cable systems; and
WHEREAS, municipalities throughout the nation, including
Friendswoad, have been subject to substantial rate
increases, reductions in service and programs changes that
do not reflect consumers needs or the original intentions of
their franchise agreements; and
WHEREAS, more than half of the nations households, and more
than 4405 of residents of Friendswood subscribe to cabZe,
and cable television is increasingly becorning the main means
of access to infarmatian and entertainment; and
WHEREAS, cable subscrihers in Friendswood have been
subjected to rate increases of 264 percent over the past 11
years, as weZl as increases in the casts af converters,
installation and premium services.
WHEREAS, cable television is rapidly being priced b�eyond the
reach of lower income geople, including families with
children and the elderly, wha are particularly in need of
information and other services that are available solely
thraugh cable television; and
WHEREAS, the divezsity of information services promised by
the 1984 Cable Communications Act has faiZed to materialize;
and
WHEREAS, the pramise of universal service, has not been
fulfilled; and
WHEREAS, existing Iaw provides this City and other
franchising autharities no authority to control or question
the imposition by cable franchises of exorbitant rates upan
citizens whose rights-of-way have been placed a� the
companies' disposal by virtue of the grant of franchises;
and
WHEREAS, the National League of Cities has adopted policzes
in favor of increasing local gouernments' cable regulatory
authority and in favor of more competi�ion in the pravision
of cahle teZevision service to consumers; and
WHEREAS, Iegislation that is now pending in the Congress
seeks comprehensive changes in the Ca.k�le Communicatians Act
of 1984; and
WHEREAS, The Friendswaod City Council has declared it' s
support far the restoration of local regulatory autharity
over calale television systems; and
WHEREAS, The United States Senate has adopted Senate Bill
S-12 with particular favor on reregulation of subscriber
notes, allowance of telephone company provision of cahle
service under circumstances that respect local gavernment
authority, system awnership transfers, the impact of
vertical integration in the cable industry, and ather
aspects of the Act that directly impact local regulatian and
consumers.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COZINCIL QF THE
CITY OF FRIENDSWOOD, THAT:
SECTION 1. The Friendswood City Council urges
the Hause of Representatives to act according].y for approval
of Senate Bill 5-12 to restare lost authority over cable
systems, to eliminate the barriers to competitian, and ta
rectify ather aspects, of the 1984 Act that work to the
disfavor of cable consumers and to further encourage the
President of the United States of America not to veta the
final law.
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PASSED, APPROVED AND RESQLVED THIS THE 17TH DAY OF FEBRUARY,
1992.
Mayor Pau W. Schrader
City of Friendswood, Texas
ATTEST:
Del ris Ar er, CMC
City Secretary