Agenda - Council - 01/14/1997 - Laserfiche WebLink

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I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I 6.3 TCI in response filed a petition with he FCC seeking a declamatory ruling relieving it from compliance with the telecommunications ordinance. The City of Troy argues that the Telecommunications Act of 1996 reaffirmed municipal authority over the management of the public rights-of-ways. It also maintains that its telecommunications franchise requirement treats all telecommunications service providers equally and in a competitively neutral manner. O'Connell stated that the FCC has issued its first preemption order under the Telecommunication Act of 1996. The FCC preempted the decisions of two cities in Kansas which denied franchises to Classic Telephone, Inc. Which would have allowed Classic to provide local telephone service. Even though the FCC decided the case against the two cities, the decision affirms important local regulatory powers over telecommunications companies. The FCC held that cities can deny franchises to prospective telecommunications providers if the denial is bases on criteria permitted under the Telecommunication Act. The FCC also affirmed the ability of local government to manage public right-of-way and receive reasonable compensation for the use of rights- of-way. The decision affirmed local governmental power to deny franchises to telecommunication companies if the denial necessary to achieve federally permissible objectives. In the case to the two Kansas cities, the FCC concluded the cities did not base their decisions on Federally permissible reasons. Some F.Y.I's included were regarding the Internet and U.S. West activities. MEREDITH CABLE REPORT Kathy Don_nelly-Cohen informed the Commission that the Quad Cities area is continuing to see a net gain of subscriber. This month there was a net gain of 169 subscribers which brings the total to 861. Donnelly-Cohen also reported' to the Commission that they will be increasing the channels on the Preferred tiers by converting the Disney Channel to a service that is offered as a part of this tier. In addition, Meredith has eliminated a pay-per-view service, adding FX to the Preferred tier. This, as Dormelly-Cohen reported, has resulted in two new channels on the tier. Meredith is also plans to add Animal Planet and FOX News to the channel line-up. In order to 'dO' SO; .M, eredith will be discontinuing The Travel Channel and combining Sneak PreVue with The PreVue Guide as a split screen on the same channel.