Res 2000-19 RESOLUTION NO. 19-2000
A RESOLUTION AFFIRMING THAT ALL PROPOSED TELECOMMUNICATIONS
LEGISLATION RETAINS LOCAL FRANCHISING AUTHORITY
WHEREAS,the City of Fridley has been granted the legal authority to negotiate,award and regulate
cable television franchises under both federal statute Title 6 and Minnesota State statute Chapter 238;
and
WHEREAS,the City of Fridley accepted the responsibility that comes with the awarding of the cable
television franchise, including ensuring that the cable company meets the identified needs of the
community such as community television and institutional networks and by serving as a local resource to
resolving customer service issues and customer complaints; and
WHEREAS, state legislation has been proposed that would repeal Chapter 238 and revoke the City's
authority to award a cable television franchise,eliminate the City as a local resource to its citizens for
resolving customer service issues and customer complaints, and remove the City's ability to receive
direct support for community television and other provisions that meet community needs; and
WHEREAS,it has not been demonstrated that local governments'role in cable franchising impedes in
any manner the ability of cable and telecommunications companies to build infrastructure or to offer full
and competitive services,and
WHEREAS,while the City of Fridley acknowledges the regulatory challenge of addressing the
convergence of voice,video and data services, local governments are essential to any legislative
discourse in this area and must retain authority to ensure continued local support for its community;
NOW THEREFORE;BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Fridley must retain its authority to define and
meet local community telecommunications needs through the franchising of companies that provide
cable television services or otherwise and that it further asserts its Constitutional rights to retain its local
authority to enter into contracts to serve its community;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that any plan for telecommunications restructuring in Minnesota should
continue to provide the City of Fridley with stable and undiminished funding,through franchise fees,in-
kind services and grants for community television(PEG access)and institutional networks,in order to
meet local telecommunications service needs and interests;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that any plan for telecommunications restructuring in Minnesota should
be consistent with federal law; and that any plan for telecommunication restructuring in Minnesota
should expressly provide authority for local governments to build and operate their own
telecommunications networks to provide their citizens with advanced and competitive
telecommunications services.
PASSED AND ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FRIDLEY THIS 14th DAY OF
FEBRUARY 2000.
Na y Jor - en,Mayor
ATTEST: ,
Debra A. Skogen, City Cl,'k
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