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HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutions - 2010.01.20 - 10087REPORT (MISC. #09260) January 20, 2010 BY: GENERAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE — Christine Long, Chairperson RE: MR #09260 — Board of Commissioners — Support for HR 3745 — the Community Access Preservation Act To the Oakland County Board of Commissioners Chairperson, Ladies and Gentlemen: The General Government Committee, having considered the above titled resolution on January 11, 2010. hereby recommends that the resolution be amended as follows. 1. Strike the first WHEREAS. 2. Strike all references to "criAN" and instead insert "Local Public Access Cable Channels'. 3. Amend the 9th WHEREAS: WHEREAS HR 3745 addresses critical and immediate threats to PEG channels by: (1) allowing - - . - e - - - = 2 • additional monies beyond base franchise fees to be used for operating expenses, and not just for facilities and equipment; (2) ensuring that cable operators treat PEG channels the same as all other channels and do not discriminate against them in regard to quality, accessibility, functionality, placement, and price; and (3) allowing decisions regarding PEG channels to continue to be made at the local level. Chairperson, on behalf of the General Government Committee, I move the acceptance of the foregoing report GENERAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE GENERAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote with Hatchett absent. Miscellaneous Resolution #09260 # /q BY: Commissioner Tim Greimel, District #11; "7"/"/ 8 0 /elf - RE: Board of Commissioners — Support for HR 3745 -the Community Access Preservation Act TO: Oakland County Board of Commissioners Chairperson, Ladies and Gentlemen: WHEREAS, Community Media Network (CMN), a Public Access cable channel operating in Oakland County, plays a significant role in Oakland County, and WHEREAS, CMN is a unique and valuable resource for enrichment, entertainment, local public safety and emergency information, and discourse for the residents of Oakland County; and WHEREAS, CMN televises programs about local government topics and other community issues, so that citizens are informed and involved in their community; and WHEREAS, CMN contributes to the democratic process by providing opportunities for elected officials and candidates for office to discuss local issues; and WHEREAS. CMN provides a window through which residents can view the diversity of cultures, participate in recreational and enrichment activities, learn about health, wellness, faith, and legal topics, and enjoy the artistic endeavors in our community; and WHEREAS, CMN reflects the unique identity of Oakland County, and WHEREAS, It is important to preserve all public, educational and governmental access (PEG) channels and their funding, and to ensure that the channels continue to be available to everyone in the communities they serve; and WHEREAS, HR 3745, the Community Access Preservation Act, has been introduced in the United States Congress; and WHEREAS, HR 3745 addresses critical and immediate threats to PEG channels by (1) allowing federal funds that are currently provided to PEG channels to be used for operating expenses, and not just for facilities and equipment; (2) ensuring that cable operators treat PEG channels the same as all other channels and co not discriminate against them in regard to quality, accessibility, functionality, placement, and price; and (3) allowing decisions regarding PEG channels to continue to be made at the local level; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners supports immediate passage of HR 3745 by the United States Congress; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners calls on our Congressional delegation to take all possible actions in support of the passage of HR 3745, including but nct limited to endorsing, co-sponsoring, and voting for HR 3745, and to or for its rapid passage; and 13E IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Oakland County Clerk is requested to forward copies of this adopted resolution to: Michigan's United States Senators, those members of the United States House of Representatives \Nilo represent Oakland County, the Michigan Association of Counties, the National Association of Counties. and Oakland County's legislative lobbyists. Chairperson, we move the adoption of the foregoing Resolution Commissioner Tim Greimel District #11 -4. 10 ili Commissioner 24 / Commissioner t# lq f, Commissioner District # ‘241ate-x-LAi, " - 64,L, 'at-mission District *I/ t2 Commissioner District # missioner ct # Commissioner District # Commissioner District # Commissioner Commissioner District # District #• P m27, _ Commissioner District # Arilitnissiue District .4494 Commissioner District # Commissioner District # Commissioner Commissioner District # District # Commissioner Commissioner District # District # Commissioner Commissioner District # District # Commissioner Commissioner District # District # Commissioner Commissioner District # District # *, .. n • ELPO 111TH CONGRESS 1-1 R• 3745 ST SEsSION • To ninLnd the Communications Ac': of 1934 t.a prcvide for carriage an display of puhli:!, educational, and government chanrels in a manner consitent with commercial channels, and for other purposes. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OcTopEn 7, 2009 Ms: 13..0,owiN introduced the following hill; which was referred to the Committee or. Encl.*, and Commerce A BILL To amend the Communications Act of 1934 to provide for carnage and display of public, educational, and govern- ment channels in a manner consistent with commercial channels, and for other purposes. 1 Be (7 enacted by the Senate and House of Representa- 2 fives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 3 SECTION I. SHORT TITLE. 4 This Act may be cited as the "Community Access 5 Preservation Act" or the "CAP Act". 6 SEC. 2. AMENDMENTS. 7 (a) IN GENERAL—Section 611 of the Communica- tions Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 531) is amended- (1) by redesignating. subsection (f) as sub- 2 section (h); and 3 (2) by inserting after subsection (e) the fol- 4 lowing new subsections: 5 "(f) EQI'MALENCE.— 6 "(1) IN GENERAL—In the ease of any fran- chise under which channel capacity is designated 8 under subsection (b), such channel capacity shall 9 be- 10 "(A) at least equivalent in quality, accessi- 11 functionality, and placement to- 12 "(i) channel capacity used for re- 13 quired carriage of local commercial tele- 14 vision stations, as defined in section 15 614(h)(1); or "(ii) if no such stations are required 17 to he carried, the channel capacity used to 18 early the primary signal of the network-A- 19 filiated commercial. television stations car- 20 ried on the cable system; and 21 "(B) provided to and viewable by every 22 subscriber of a cable system without ulditional 23 service or equipment charges. 24 "(2) Sio-NAL QuALTTY AND CONTENT,--A cable 25 operator shall- • •Int 3745 1 3 "(A) carry signals for public, educational, or governmental use from the point of origin of 3 such signals to subscribers without material 4 degradation and without altering or removing 5 content provided a.s part of the public, edu- 6 eational, or governmental use; and 7 "(B) provide facilities adequate to fulfill such requirements. 9 "(3) WATVER.—The requirements of paragraph 10 (1) may be waived by a franchising authority if the 11 franchise contains all explicit provision that such re- 12 quirements shall not apply and such provision was 13 adopted after a proceeding the conduct of which af- 14 forded the public adequate notice and an oppor- 15 tunity to participate, "(4) ENFORCEMENT.—The requirements of this 17 subsection may be enforced by a franchising author- ity or by the Commission. 19 "(5) ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS,—Nothing in 20 this subsection prevents a franchising authority from 21 esta:Jlishing additional requirements with respect to 22 the quality. accessibility, functionality, placement, 23 and provision of channel capacity designated for 24 public, educational, or governmental use. *HR 3745 IH 4 1 "(g) PRESERVATION OF PUBLIC, EDUCATIONAL, AND 2 GOVERNMENTAL USE,— ) ST UDY.---Wit bin 180 days after the date 4 of enactment of the Community Access; Preservation 5 the Commission shall submit to Congress a re- 6 port. contain.' 7 "(A) an analysis of the impact of the en- 8 actment of State video service franchising laws 9 since 2005 on public, educational, and govern- 10 mental use of cable systems; 11 "(B) an Otialysis of the impact of the con- 12 version from analog to digital transmission 13 technologies on public, educational, and govern- 14 mental use of cable systems, and 15 "(C) recommendations for changes re- 16 qttired to this Act to preserve and advance 10- 17 calisni and public, educational, arid govern- mental use of advanced communications sys- 19 20 "(2) SUPPORT.—In states that adopted legisla- 21 tion affecting cable system franchising requirements 22 relating to support for public, educational, or gov- 23 ernmental use of a cable system that became effec- 24 tive a0:er May 31, 2005, a cable operator shall, net- withst anding such legislation- 41R 8745 M 5 "(A) pay to any political subdivision in 2 which the operator provides service the greater 3 of- 4 "(1) the historical support that the op- erator, or its predecessor, provided for 6 public, educational, or governmental use of 7 the cable system in such subdivision in ac- cordance with this subsection: or 9 "(ii) the amount of any cash payment 10 that the operator is required to pay to 11 such subdivision under such State legisla- 12 tion affecting cable system franchising re- 13 quirements; 14 "(B) carry signals for public, educational, 15 or governmental use from the point of origin of 16 such signals to subscribers and provide facilities 17 adequate to fulfill such requirements in accord- 18 ance with subsection (0(2); and 19 "(C) provide at least the number of than- 20 nels for public, educational, or governmental 21 use that it was providing as of May 31, 2005, CALcuLATIQN OF IIISTORICAL STTPORT.— 23 Historical stpport includes the value of ad support 24 provided for public, educational, or governmental 25 use, including in-kind support and free services. The •HR 3745 in cable operator shall pay support equal to the greater 2 off- 3 "(A) the value of the support provided in 4 the most recent calendar year prior to the effee- 5 tive date of such State legislation affecting (.qible system franchising requirements; or "33) the value of the annual average sup- 8 port provided over the term of the franchise 9 pursuant to which it operated prior to such ef- 10 fective date, taking into account the time value 11 of money. 12 "(4) PAY-MEN -N.—The amounts owed to the po- 13 litical subdivision under paragraph (2)(A) shall be 14 paid annually; in quarterly installments, with the 1.5 first. payment being due 30 days after the date of 1.6 enactment of the Community Access Preservation 17 Act. 18 "(5) iTsEs; DISPITTES.— 1.9 "(A) US'ES,—Support provided to any 20 State or local political subdivision under this 21 subsection shall be dedicated to public, edu- eational, or governmental use of channel capac- 23 ity. 24 "(B) 1)1sPUTE8,-11 there is a dispute as 25 to amounts owed under this subsection. undis- •Ii.rt 3745 7 1 puted amounts shall be paid, and the Commis - 2 sion shall determine on an expedited basis what, if any, additional amounts are owed.", 4 (b) FRANCHISE FEE DEFINITION.—Section 5 622(g)(2) of such Act (47 C.S.C. 542(g)(2)) is amend- 6 ed- 7 (1) in subparagraph (B), by striking - "in the 8 ease of any franchise in effect on the date of the en- 9 aetment of this title,"; 10 (2) by striking subparagraph (C)i and 11 (3) by redesignating fRibparagraphs (D) and 12 (E)as subparagraplts (C) and (D), respectively. 13 (c) CABLE SERI7CE DEFINIT:ON.—Seetion 602(6) of 14 such Act (47 U.S,C. 522(6)) is amended by striking 15 "means" and inserting 'means, regardless of the tech- nology or transmission protocol used in the provision of 17 service". .HR 374 1H 1 Resolution #09260 October 29, 2009 The Vice-Chairperson referred the resolution to the General Government Committee. There were no objections. Resolution #09260 January 20, 2010 Moved by Long supported by Greimel the resolution be adopted. Moved by Long supported by Greimel the General Government Committee Report be accepted. A sufficient majority having voted in favor, the report was accepted. Moved by Long supported by Greimel the resolution be amended to coincide with the recommendation in the General Government Committee Report. A sufficient majority having voted in favor, the annenoment carried. Discussion followed. Vote on resolution, as amended: AYES: Cape110, Coleman, Coulter, Douglas, Gershenson, Gingell, Gosselin, Groimel, Hatchett, Jacobsen, Long, McGillivray, Middleton, Nash, Potter, Potts, Runestad, Schwartz, Scott, Taub, Woodward, Zack, Bullard, Burns. (24) NAYS: None. (0) ABSTAIN: Jackson. (1 ) A sufficient majority having voted in favor, the resolution, as amended, was adopted. COES NOT REWIRE COUNTY EXECUTIVE ACTION STATE OF MICHIGAN) COUNTY OF OAKLAND) Ruth Johnson. Clerk of the County of Oakland, do hereby certify that the foregoing resolution is a true and accurate copy of a resolution adopted by the Oakland County Board of Commissioners on January 20, 2010, vviti the original record thereof now remaining in my office. In Testimony Whereof. I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the County of Oakland at Pontiac, Michigan this 20th day of January, 2010. Gat Ruth Johnson, County Clerk