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RESOLUTION NO. 52-2006
SUPPORTING THE LEAGUE OF CALIFORNIA CITIES
POLICY FRAMEWORK FOR 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
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Danville Town Council 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.
PAGE 2 OF RESOLUTION NO. 52-2006
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.
APPROVED by the Danville Town Council at a regular meeting on May 16, 2006, by the
following vote:
,
AYES: Stepper, Andersen, Arnerich, Doyle
NOES: None
ABSTAINED: Shimansky
ABSENT: None
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APPROVED AS TO FORM:
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CITY ATTORNEY J-
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CITYCLE
PAGE 3 OF RESOLUTION NO. 52-2006