Title
A RESOLUTION OPPOSING IMPLEMENTATION OF FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION DOCKET NO. 05-311; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
Brief Description: The HCTV Advisory Committee and HCTV staff request Hudson City Council to take a position against the FCC’s proposed Cable Act rule amendment that could defund PEG channels: Federal Communication Commission Docket No. 05-311.
Body
Legislative History
Resolution No. 07-42, opposing SB 117 and supporting the local cable franchising process, passed April 18, 2007.
Resolution No. 07-59, opposing Ohio Substitute Senate Bill 117 and supporting the local cable franchise process, passed June 6, 2007.
Purpose & Explanation
The FCC is poised to make a ruling that could drastically reduce cable franchise fees. The ruling could allow cable companies to deduct any amount they choose from franchise fees for the cost of the channels we use. This was not the intention of the 1984 Cable Act and could eliminate all franchise fees for smaller communities, like Hudson. Since HCTV is funded nearly 100% by franchise fees, this would likely have a major impact on HCTV operations.
The Alliance for Community Media has requested that communities write or visit U.S. Senators Brown and Portman and U.S. Representative Joyce, asking them to send a letter telling the FCC to stop trying to re-write the 1984 Cable Act to redefine what franchise fees are which, in turn, would reduce monetary support to run PEG access channels that provide local government coverage, allowing transparency to communities and citizens.
Legal Authority for Proposed Legislation
Pursuant to Charter Section 6.04, Contracts & Purchasing:
Competitively bid and advertised for two consecutive weeks; bid tab attached: [Yes/No/NA])
Joint or Cooperative Purchase Program
Professional Services
X Other, not applicable.
Fiscal Impact
Currently Budgeted (Account #, $)
Supplemental Appropriation Required (Account #, $)
X Appropriation Not Required - - other than potential loss of cable franchise funds
Does this legislation require use of an emergency clause?
X Yes, the FCC could make a decision on August 1, 2019.
No
Recommendation
Suggested Action
Staff recommends passage of this Resolution and looks to Council for direction to prepare a letter against the proposed rules for distribution to government agencies and/or officials.
Submitted by,
Jane Howington, City Manager
Frank Comeriato, Assistant City Manager - Operations
Barbara Breedon VanBlarcum, HCTV Program Manager
Dan Gerbracht, Operations Manager