HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 9276RESOLUTION NO. 9276
CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW
COUNTY OF RAMSEY
STATE OF MINNESOTA
RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF
THE PROTECTING COMMUNITY TELEVISION ACT
WHEREAS, the City of Mounds View is a member of the North Suburban
Communications Commission (the "Commission"), a Joint Powers Commission
organized pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 471.59, as amended, and includes the cities of Arden
Hills, Falcon Heights, Lauderdale, Little Canada, New Brighton, North Oaks, Roseville,
St. Anthony, and the City of Mounds View (collectively the "Member Cities"), and
WHEREAS, the Commission negotiates and manages the cable franchises
agreements of the Member Cities and operates North Suburban Access Corporation
("NSAC"), a local community public educational and governmental ("PEG") access facility
on behalf of the Member Cities; and
WHEREAS, NSAC provides coverage of local events, such as local high school
sporting events and most government meetings that local broadcast stations (i.e. WCCO,
KSTP, KMSP, and KARE) typically will not cover, and, in light of a rapidly decreasing print
media, CTV North Suburbs ("CTV") is the principal, and may soon be the sole, source for
local residents to have access to coverage of local events; and
WHEREAS, CTV is funded through franchise fee and PEG fee revenues
negotiated in the cable franchise agreements; and
WHEREAS, the Member Cities require, as part of the cable franchise agreements,
that cable companies meet demonstrated community needs by providing non -monetary
in-kind contributions that benefit the Member Cities, local schools, public safety buildings,
as well as CTV; and
WHEREAS, in 1984 Congress defined a franchise fee as a "tax, fee, or
assessment" and, for the past 35 years, it has been solely a monetary fee; and
WHEREAS, last year the FCC departed from the clear language of the Cable Act
and ruled that a franchise fee is both a monetary and non -monetary fee and permits cable
companies to unilaterally assign a value to the non -monetary in-kind contributions and
then subtract that amount from the franchise fees the cable operator pays the local
community;
WHEREAS, the FCC order results in decreased vital funding to the Member Cities
and CTV; and
Resolution 9276
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WHEREAS, the Protect Community Television Act (currently S. 3218/HR 5659)
has been introduced in Congress and its goal is to maintain the status quo by reversing
the FCC order and allowing franchise fees to be calculated as they have been for over 35
years as monetary only fees; and
WHEREAS, this legislation is supported by the National League of Cities, the U.S.
Conference of Mayors, the National Association of Counties, the Minnesota League of
Cities, and NATOA.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City calls on Congress to pass
legislation, such as the Protect Community Television Act, which would undo the FCC's
action; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City urges all House members and
Senators from Minnesota to cosponsor the Protect Community Television Act.
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Mounds View
supports the protection of the Community Television Act by adopting this resolution.
Adopted this 26th day of May, 2020.
Ix
Carol A. Mueller, May r
ATTEST:
N e Zik und, City Administrator
(SEAL)
The Mounds View Vision
A Thririn; Desirable ConRnllnit.v