HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Res 3952 Not Adopted
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RESOLUTION NUMBER ~~~~
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A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF SEAL BEACH, CALIFORNIA, URGING THE
CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES TO REVlSE THE
CABLE COMMUNICATIONS POLICY ACT OF 1984 AND
EXPRESSING GENERAL CONCERN ABOUT THE NEED FOR
GREATER LOCAL GOVERNMENT REGULATORY AUTHORITY
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEAL BEACH DOES HEREBY RESOLVE:
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 Communications Act of
1984, concentrations of ownership amounting to
monopolies have increased among cable operators, even
though that Act was intended to "promote competition in
cable communications and minimize unnecessary
regulations that impose undue economic burdens on cable
systems; and
WHEREAS, municipalities throughout the nation, including this
one, have been subjected to substantial rate increases,
service reductions and programming changes that do not
reflect consumers' needs or the original intentions of
their franchise agreements; and
WHEREAS, more than half of the nation's households and many
residences in this City subscribe to cable, and cable
television is increasingly becoming the main means of
access to information and entertainment; and
WHEREAS, cable subscribers in this City have been subjected to
rate increases since the enactment of the Cable
Communications Policy Act in October, 1984, as well as
increases in the cost of installations, additional
outlets and other charges; and
WHEREAS, cable television is rapidly being priced beyond the
reach of low-income people, including families with
children and the elderly, who are particularly 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, similarly, 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 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 National League 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 services to consumers;
and
the city Council and the staff regularly receive public
comment expressing frustration that the city is
powerless to regUlate cable company subscriber rates
and that the City'S cable television franchisees have
quasi-monopolistic power over their subscribers because
only one company operates in anyone area of the City;
and
WHEREAS,
Resolution Number ..3t?~
WHEREAS, legislation that is now pending in the Congress of the
united States seeks comprehensive changes in the Cable
Communications Policy Act of 1984.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT:
1. The City Council of the City of Seal Beach, California
declares its support for the restoration of local regulatory
authority over cable television systems.
2.
The congress of the United States, with the support and
approval of the Executive Branches, should rewire the Cable
Communications Policy act of 1984, with particular focus on
re-regulation of subscriber rates, allowance 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 Act that directly impact
local regulation and consumers.
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3. The City Council of the City of Seal Beach, California urges
congressional action for appropriate federal legislation to
restore local authority over cable systems to eliminate the
barriers to competition and to rectify other aspects of the
1984 Act that work to disfavor cable consumers.
4. That such Federal legislation shall include the prov1s1on of
immunity from damages of any nature for local government
exercising or attempting to exercise in good faith the
authority conferred.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED BY THE City Council
Seal Beach, at a meeting thereof held on the
, 1990 by the following vote:
of the City of
day of
AYES:
Councilmembers
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NOES:
Councilmembers
ABSENT:
Councilmembers
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Mayor
ATTEST:
City Clerk
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF ORANGE ) 55
CITY OF SEAL BEACH )
I, Joanne, M. Yeo, city Clerk of Seal Beach, California, do
hereby certify that the foregoing resolution is the original copy
of Resolution Number on file in the office of the City
Clerk passed, approved and adopted by the City Council of the
City ~f Seal Beach, at a regular meeting thereof held on the
day of , 1990.
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City Clerk