HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. 91-53 RESOLUTION NO. R91-53
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF FRIENDSWOOD, TEXAS, URGING THE CONGRESS OF
THE UNITED STATES TO APPROVE SENATE BILL S-12
TO REVISE THE CABLE COMMUNICATION POLICY ACT
OF 1984, AND EXPRESSING GENERAL CONCERN ABOUT
THE NEED FOR GREATER LOCAL GOVERNMENT
REGULATORY AUTHORITY.
* * * * * *
WHEREAS, the Cable Communications Act of 1984 restricted
states and local governments abilities to regulate the cable
television industry directly; and
WHEREAS, since the passage of the Cable Communication Act of
1984, concentrations of ownership amounting to manopolies
have increased amang cable operatars, even though the Act
was intended to promote competition in cable communications
and minimize unnecessary regulations that impose undue
economic burden on cable systems; and
WHEREAS, municipalities thraughout the nation, including
Friendswood, have been subject to substantial rate
increases, reductions in service and programs changes that
do not reflect consumers needs ar 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 cable,
and cable television is increasinglg becoming the main means
of access to information and entertainment; and
WHEREAS, cable subscribers in Friendswood have been
subjected to rate increases of 264 percent over the past 11
years, as well as increases in the costs of converters,
installation and premium services.
WHEREAS, cable television is rapidly being priced beyond the
reach of lower income people, including families with
children and the elderly, who are garticularly in need of
information and other services that are available solely
through cable television; and
WHEREAS, the diversity of information services promised by
the 1984 Cable Communications Act has failed to materialize;
and
WHEREAS, the promise of universal service, has not been
fulfilled; and
WHEREAS, existing law provides this City and other
franchising authorities no authority ta control ar question
the impositian by cable franchises of exorbitant rates upon
citizens whose rights-of-way have been placed at the
companies' disposal by virtue of the grant of franchises;
and
WHEREAS, the Natianal League of Cities has adopted golicies
in favor of increasing local goverrunents' cable r�gulatory
authority and in favor of more competition in the gravision
of cable television service to consumers; and
WHEREAS, legislatian that is now pending in the Congress
seeks comprehensive changes in the Cable Cammunications Act
of 1984.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF FRIENDSWOOD, THAT:
SECTION 1. The Friendswood City Council declares it' s
support for the restaration af local regulatory authority
over cable television systems.
SECTION 2. The Congress of the United States shauld
rewrite the Cable Communications Policy Act of 1984, with
particular favor on reregulation of subscriber notes,
allowance of telephane campany pravisian of cable service
under circumstances that respect local government authority,
system ownership transfers, the impact of vertical
integration in the cable industry, and other aspects of the
Act that directly impact local regulation and consumers.
SECTION 3 . The Friendswood City Council urges
congressional approval of Senate Bill 5-12 to restare lost
authority over cable systems, to eliminate the barriers to
competition, and ta rectify other aspects, of the 1984 Act
that work to the disfavor of ca.ble consumers.
* * * * * *
PASSED, APPROVED AND RESOLVED THIS THE 18TH DAY OF NOVEMBER,
1991.
Mayor Paul W. Schrader
City of Friendswoad, Texas
ATTEST:
C�e�
Deloris Areher, CMC
City Secretary