HomeMy WebLinkAboutTC Res 2005-04-06 (5)
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Resolution No. 12-2005
A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COUNCIL
OF THE TOWN OF TffiURON
URGING COMCAST CABLE TO RESTORE FM SERVICE
TO ITS SUBSCRIBERS IN MARIN COUNTY
. WHEREAS, the cable television franchise operators in Marin County,
recognizing the unique topographic challenges present by the hilly terrain or our
county, have continuously provided FM radio service as part of the basic cable
service for the last twenty years; and
WHEREAS, without this service, many residents of the Town ofTiburon
are unable to receive clear, and in some instances any, reception ofFM radio; and
WHEREAS, FM radio service is vital in providing locally produced public
affairs programming, news, cultural programming music, traffic reports and
emergency broadcast information; and
WHEREAS many cable subscribers actually rely on the FM cable service
for the majority oftheir informational and entertainment needs; and
WHEREAS, Comcast Corporation promised and agreed to continue
providing the same basic service as it predecessor until a new cable franchise
agreement could be negotiated; and
WHEREAS, the existing franchise agreement states that the tenns and
conditions therein cannot be modified without mutual consent of all parties to the
agreement; and
WHEREAS, the recent decision to terminate FM cable service was made
by Comcast without the consent or authorization of the local franchising
authority, the Marin Telecommunications Agency; and
WHEREAS, the Marin Telecommunications Agency has made. formal and
informal objection to Comcast about its decision to terminate the cable FM
service; and
WHEREAS, Comcast Corporation has not adequately responded to the
request made by the Marin Telecommunications Agency to reconsider its
decision;
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WHEREAS, Comcast has stated that it intends to use the bandwidth
spectrum previously devoted to FM radio for subscription video and music
services that are not locally based;
WHEREAS, a great many cable subscribers cannot afford to subscribe to
these services, have no interest in them and will not be able to have their basic
informational, cuhural and entertainment needs met by them;
WHEREAS, without these services many Marin residents will suffer an
irreparable loss of connection with their community and in most instances cannot
build antennas or otherwise compensate for the loss of the service through any
other means;
THEREFORE, the Town Council of the Town of Tiburon hereby requests
that Comcast Corporation reverse its decision to terminate cable FM radio service
and resume providing the service as it has been so provided for the last twenty
years to Marin County cable subscribers forthwith;
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The Council hereby directs the Clerk of the Town ofTiburon to forthwith
send a copy of this resolution to the Marin Telecommunications Agency, Brian L.
Roberts, Chief Executive Officer ofComcast Corporation, Senators Boxer and
Feinstein, Congresswoman Woolsey, State Senator Migden and Assembly .
member Nation.
The foregoing resolution was duly and regularly adopted by the Tiburon Town
Council, County of Marin, State of California, at a regular meeting thereof: held on the
6th day of April, 2005, by the following vote:
AYES:
COUNCILMEMBERS:
Berger, Fredericks, Gram, Slavitz, Smith
NOES:
COUNCILMEMBERS:
None
ABSENT:
COUNCILMEMBERS:
None
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MILES ~ERGER, MAYOR
TOWN OF TIBURON
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DIANE CRANE IACOPI, TOWN CLERK