HomeMy WebLinkAboutRes 1592 - Oppose National Franchise Process and Rights-of-Way Legislative VILA,
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Resolution No.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
TUKWILA, WASHINGTON, OPPOSING A NATIONAL
FRANCHISING PROCESS, AND OPPOSING LEGISLATION
THAT REMOVES THE ABILITY OF INDIVIDUAL CITIES TO
REGULATE THEIR RIGHTS -OF -WAY.
WHEREAS, national legislation has been introduced in HR- 3146/SR -1349 to create
a national cable /video franchise, thereby bypassing the local franchising process; and
WHEREAS, SR -1504, the Broadband Investment and Consumer Choice Act, has
been introduced in an attempt to abrogate cities' ability to regulate their rights -of -way;
and
WHEREAS, Tukwila has consistently processed franchise agreements within 120
days, and usually in less time, which refutes the assertion that national regulation is
necessary due to lengthy franchise processing time by individual cities; and
WHEREAS, Tukwila encourages open competition for services provided by fiber
optic lines in our rights -of -way, and believes that competition and coordination among
several providers is beneficial to our citizens; and
WHEREAS, these bills would eliminate any build -out requirements, which could
result in bypassing poor neighborhoods when installing future cable services; and
WHEREAS, these and similar bills would not only eliminate all current cable
franchising authority, but would also threaten cities' current use of cable lines for traffic
signals and municipal public safety; and
WHEREAS, the City of Tukwila has a responsibility to manage its rights -of -way for
the protection, safety and benefit of all the public; and
WHEREAS, Tukwila's current cable franchise agreement requires public access
channels, and some federal proposals may reduce or eliminate channel capacity
dedicated to community programming; and
WHEREAS, the Tukwila City Council believes that cities should have the ability to
provide communications services, including internet, cable and telephone services, for
the benefit of local citizenry and economic development purposes without undue
interference from the Federal government;
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA,
WASHINGTON, HEREBY RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. All federal legislation that limits and abrogates cities' use of its rights -of-
way would be detrimental to the City of Tukwila, and should be opposed.
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Section 2. We urge our congressional delegation to oppose bills that remove cities'
ability to regulate their rights -of -way, and bills that would require cities to
accommodate industry being the sole provider of cable and video in their rights -of -way.
RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF�THE C Y OF TUKWILA,
WASHINGTON, at a Regular Meeting thereof this 'r day of 2005.
ATTEST/ AUTHENTICATED:
&�aii Pamela Linder, Council President
J E. Cantu, CMC, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM BY:
Filed with the City Clerk:
Passed by the City Council��
Office of the City Attorney Resolution Number:
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