HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. 90-23 RESOLUTION N0. R90-23
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
FRIENDSWOOD , TEXAS , URGING THE CONGRESS OF THE
UNITED STATES TO REVISE THE CABLE COMMUNIGATION
POLICY ACT OF 198� � AND EXPRESSING GENERAL CONCERN
A$OUT THE NEED FOR GREATER LOCAL GOVERNMENT
REGULATORY AIITHORITY.
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WHEREAS, the Cable Communications Aet of 198� restrieted states
and local governments abilities to regulate the cable television
industry directly; and
WHEREAS, since the passa�e of the Cable Communication Act of
198� , concentrations of ownership amounting to monopolies have
increased among cable operators , even though the Aet was intended
to promote competition in eable communications and minimize
unnecessary regulations that impose undue economic burden on
cable systems; and
WHEREAS, municipalities throughout the nation, including
Friendswood , have been sub�ect to substantial rate increases,
reduetions in service and programs changes that do not reflect
aonsumers needs or the original intentions of their franchise
agreements; and
WHEREAS, more than half of the nations households , and more
than 4u05 of residents of Friendswood subscribe to cable , and
eable television is inereasingly becoming the main means of
aceess to information and entertainment ; and
WHEREAS, cable subscribers in Friendswood have been subjected to
rate increases of 26� percent over the past 11 years , as well as
inereases in the costs of converters , installation and premium
services.
WHEREAS, eable television is rapidly being priced beyond the
reach of lower income people , including families with children
and the elderly, who are partieularly in need of information and
other services that are available solely through cable
television; and
WHEREAS, the diversity of information services promised by the
198� 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 to control or question the imposition by
cable franchises of exhorbitant rates upon citizens whose rights-
of-way have been placed at the companies ' disposal by virtue of
the grant of franchises ; and
WHEREAS , the National Lea�ue of Cities has adopted policies in
favor of increasing local governments ' cable regulatory authority
and in favor of more competition in the provision of cable
television service to consumers ; and
WHEREAS, legislation that is now pending in the Congress seeks
comprehensive char�es in the Cable Communications 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 restoration of local regulatory authority over cable
television systems .
SECTION 2. The Congress of the United States should rewrite the
Cable Communications Policy Act of 198� , with particular favor on
rere�ulation of subscriber notes , allowanee of telephone company
provision 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 Aet that directly impact local regulation and consumers .
SECTION 3. The Friendswood City Council ur�es con�ressional
action for appropriate federal legislation to restore lost
authority over cable systems , to eliminate the barriers to
competition, and to reetify other aspects , of the 198� Act that
work to disfavor cable consumers .
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PASSED , APPROVED AND RESOLVED THIS THE 11th day of June , 1990•
Mayor Paul W. Schrader
City of Friendswood , Texas
ATT T:
.
Deloris Archer , CMC
City Secretary