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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-048 RESOLUTION NO. 2006-048 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ATASCADERO REGARDING TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES AND VITAL CITY INTERESTS 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,THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the City of Atascadero, this 23rd day of May, 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 err support local public services and mitigate impacts on local nghts-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 undergroundmg. NOW BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Congressional Representative and all state legislative representatives for the City of Atascadero as well as all appropriate local media outlets. On motion by Council Member Luna and seconded by Council Member Clay, the foregoing Resolution is hereby adopted following roll call vote- AYES Council Members Clay, Luna, Pacas, Scalise and Mayor O'Malley NOES None ABSENT None ABSTAINED None ADOPTED- May 23, 2006 CIT--OF ATAS ADFO ----N-- 41 Tom O'Malley, Mayor ATTEST By ��7z Marcia McClure Torgerson, C.M. ., City Clerk APPROVED ' S TO FORM. By Patn , City Attorney