HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-45RESOLUTION NO. 2006-45
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF UKIAH ADOPTING
PRINCIPLES FOR CONGRESS AND THE CALIFORNIA STATE
LEGISLATURE TO CONSIDER IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF
TELECOMMUNICATIONS REFORM
WHEREAS, technological advances in telecommunications services are
outpacing the current state and federal regulatory framework for those services;
and
WHEREAS, the new telecommunications services will be vital to the
businesses, households and the public safety of local communities; and
WHEREAS, Congress and the California state legislature are beginning a
serious debate on a new regulatory framework for telecommunications services
in the 2006 legislative session; and
WHEREAS, financial resources that cities receive under the current
regulatory framework for telecommunications services are vital to support local
public services such as public safety and transportation; and
WHEREAS, the taxpayers have a financial interest to protect in the
public's right-of-way; and
WHEREAS, fair, level playing-field competition among
telecommunications providers is important to delivering telecommunications
services at the best price for our citizens, the consumers; and
WHEREAS, telecommunications industry services to a local community
such as Public Education and Government (PEG) channels, INET services to
local schools and E911 and 911 public safety services to local citizens are
important services to maintain; now there fore be it
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of
Ukiah, this 5th day of April, 2006 does hereby adopt the following principles for
Congress and the state legislature to consider in its debate over a new
telecommunications regulatory framework:
REVENUE PROTECTIONS
· Protect the authority of local governments to collect revenues from
telecommunications providers and ensure that any future changes are revenue
neutral for local governments.
· Regulatory fees and/or taxes should apply equitably to all telecommunications
service providers.
· A guarantee that all existing and any new fees/taxes remain with local
governments to support local public services and mitigate impacts on local rights-
of-way.
· Oppose any state or federal legislation that would pre-empt or threaten local
taxation authority
RIGHTS-OF-WAY
To protect the public's investment, the control of public rights-of-way must remain
local.
Local government must retain full control over the time, place and manner for the
use of the public right-of-way in providing telecommunications services, including
the appearance and aesthetics of equipment placed within it.
ACCESS
All local community residents should be provided access to all available
telecommunications services.
Telecommunications providers should be required to specify a reasonable
timeframe for deployment of telecommunications services that includes a clear
plan for the sequencing of the build-out of these facilities within the entire
franchise area.
PUBLIC EDUCATION AND GOVERNMENT (PEG) SUPPORT
The resources required of new entrants should be used to meet PEG support
requirements in a balanced manner in partnership with incumbent providers.
For cities currently without PEG support revenues, a minimum percentage of
required support needs to be determined.
INSTITUTIONAL OR FIBER NETWORK (INET)
The authority for interested communities to establish INET services and support
for educational and local government facilities should remain at the local level.
PUBLIC SAFETY SERVICES
The authority for E-911 and 911 services should remain with local government,
including any compensation for the use of the right-of-way. All E-911 and 911
calls made by voice over internet protocol shall be routed to local public safety
answering points (PSAPs); i.e., local dispatch centers.
All video providers must provide local emergency notification service.
CUSTOMER SERVICE PROTECTION
State consumer protection laws should continue to apply as a minimum standard
and should be enforced at the local level. Local governments should retain the
authority to assess penalties to improve customer service
OTHER ISSUES
Existing telecommunications providers and new entrants shall adhere to local city
policies on public utility undergrounding.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that copies of this resolution be transmitted to
the Congressional Representative and all state legislative representatives for the
City of Ukiah as well as all appropriate local media outlets.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Ukiah on this 5th day
of April, 2006, by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Crane, McCowen, Rodin, Baldwin, and Mayor Ashiku
NOES: None
ABSTAN: None
ABSENT: None
ATTEST:
Marie Ulvila, City Clerk
Ma~ Ashiku, Ma~or