HomeMy WebLinkAbout1992-06-09 - AGENDA REPORTS - FED LEGISLATION RESO 92-104 (2)AGENDA REPORT
CONSENT CALENDAR
DATE: June 9, 1992
SUBJECT: Federal Legislation
Resolution Number: 92-104
DEPARTMENT: City Manager
City Manager
Item to be p
Michael P. Murphy
This item is a result of the Public Franchise Meeting held on March 19, 1992.
Responding to citizen concerns, Councilmember Carl Boyer asked staff to look.
into drafting a resolution requesting Congress to re -regulate cable rates.
At that meeting, citizens, not satisfied with the present quality of service,
voiced concerns about cable rates. According to General Accounting. Office
reports from 1986 to 1991, cable rates have increased 61Z nationally, or over
12Z per year.
S. 12 would amend title VI of the Communications Act of 1934 to ensure carriage
of local news and other programming on cable television. It would also restore
the right of local authorities to regulate cable television rates. In a major
change from current law, under which only basic service may be regulated, almost
all cable service except per -channel premium services and pay -per view channels
are potentially subject to rate regulation. Another major change is that S. 12
deletes the provision in the Cable Act allowing an automatic 52 annual increase
in basic cable rates. In addition, S. 12 broadens local authority by (1)
eliminating the requirement that customer service standards be established as
part of a franchise or renewal; and (2) broadening the scope of what may be
enforced to include "any municipal ordinance or agreement ... or any State law."
Resolution No. 92-104 endorses S. 12, regulating cable television rates where
there is no "effective competition". "Effective competition" is defined as a
community where fewer than 30% of residents subscribe to basic cable television
service, such as the City of Santa Clarita. The resolution would be forwarded
to the City's elected Federal representatives.
Support S. 12 and transmit letters of position to Santa Clarita Federal
Legislative delegation.
ATTACHMENT
Resolution 92-104 dopted.-�—�—�/o�
MPM:tm3:36 Adopted:
Agenda Item
RESOLUTION NO. 92-104
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA REGARDING
CABLE TELEVISION RATES
WHEREAS, in 1984, Congress adopted the Cable Communications
Policy Act of 1984, which deregulated cable television rates,
effective 1986;
WHEREAS, according to recent Government Accounting Office
reports, from 1986 to 1991, cable rates have increased 61%, or
over 12% per year;
WHEREAS, in most communities, including the City of Santa
Clarita, cable television franchisees are not subject to
effective competition;
WHEREAS, Senate Bill 12 defines "effective competition" to
be where fewer than thirty percent (30%) of residents subscribe
to basic cable television service;
WHEREAS, in Santa Clarita, as is typical in most
communities, residents have the option of only subscribing to one
cable television service, and in the case of Santa Clarita,
generally are unable to receivetelevision reception due to
geography.
.:,NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA
CLARITA HEREBY RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The City of Santa Clarita hereby endorses and
supports Senate Bill 12, which would re -regulate cable television
rates where there is no effective competition, including cable
television rates for any basic tier of cable television service.
SECTION 2. The City Clerk is hereby directed to forward
this Resolution to the City's elected Federal representatives in
Congress.
1992. PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this day of ,
MAYOR
ATTEST
CITY CLERK
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) as
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA )
I, Donna M. Grindev, DO HEREBY CERTIFY that . the foregoing
Resolution was duly adopted by the City Council of the City of
Santa Clarita at a regular meeting thereof, held on the day
of , 1992 by the following vote, to wit:
AYES:
COUNCILMEMBERS:
NOES:
COUNCILMEMBERS:
ABSENT:
COUNCILMEMBERS:
CITY CLERIC