HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-10-04 - City Commission Workshop Meeting MinutesCity Commission Workshop Meeting
10/4/96
Page 1
CITY OF TAMARAC
CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP MEETING
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1996
CALL TQ ORDER: Mayor Abramowitz called the Workshop Meeting to order on Friday,
October 4, 1996, at 9:00 a.m. in Conference Room #1, Tamarac City Hall, 7525
Northwest 88th Avenue, Tamarac, Florida.
PRESENT:
Mayor Norman Abramowitz
Vice Mayor Larry Mishkin (entered at 9:05 a.m.)
Commissioner Bruce Hoffman
Commissioner John E. McKaye
Commissioner Joseph Schreiber
ALSO PRESENT:
Robert S. Noe, Jr., City Manager
Mitchell S. Kraft, City Attorney
Stanley Hawthorne, Finance Director
Maria Swanson, Personnel Director
Kathleen Margoles, Social Services Coordinator (entered at 9.40 a.m.)
Karen Jackson, Office Specialist
Tape 1
Mayor Abramowitz stated that this is a continuation from the September 30th City
Commission Workshop meeting.
1. 401(a)
City Manager Noe recapped the discussion held previously regarding the proposed
401(a).
Consensus of Opinion to move forward with the 401(a) Plan. ALL AGREED.
14 Mayor Abramowitz announced that the Northwest Council of Mayors meeting on
Tuesday, October 15, 1996, will be held at the Woodmont Country Club.
City Commission Workshop Meeting
10/4/96
Page 2
2. Benefits Proposal
Discussion was held regarding the proposal.
Concensus of Opinion on the benefits proposal: ALL AGREED
City Manager Noe distributed a letter addressed to Congressman Harry Johnston
regarding the FCC action on rights -of way franchise fees. (See Attachment 1)
Discussion was held regarding this.
Discussion was held regarding the Veterans Affairs Committee and their attempt to
raise money for the Veterans Memorial.
Ms. Margoles stated that the Committee has collected approximately $4,100 towards
the construction of the Memorial. Discussion was held regarding the City granting
matching funds up to $15,000 to help build this memorial.
Consensus of Opinion to provide matching funds up to $15,000 for the Veterans
Memorial: ALL AGREED
Tape 2
With no further business, Mayor Abramowitz adjourned the meeting at 9:50 a.m.
Carol A. Evans, CMC
City Clerk
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City of Tamarac
7525 N.W. 88th Avenue, Tamarac, Florida 33321-2401
Telephone: (954) 724-1230 • Facsimile (954) 724-2454
Robert S. Noe, Jr.
City Manager
Congessman Harry Johnston
2458 Rayburn House Office Bldg
Washington, DC 20515
October 2, 1996
RE: FCC Action On Ri hts-Of-Wa /Franchise Fees
Honorable Congessman Johnston:
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Please contact the FCC immediately so that it does not get involved in local
telephone company franchising and right-of-way matters contrary to Congressional intent
in the 1996 Telecommunications Act.
In the 1996 Act, Congress was careful to preserve local franchising and control of
the rights -of -way over telephone companies. It clearly stated that municipalities had the
right to manage their rights of way and to require fair compensation on a non-discriminatory
basis. And Congress expressly deprived the FCC of jurisdiction over these matters so that
they would be resolved by the local courts, not by bureaucrats in Washington. This
resulted from action by Senators Hutchinson, Feinstein, and Gorton and Representatives
Barton, Stupak, and Dingall, among others. An amendment codifying this passed by an
overwhelming majority on the floor of the House last year.
Now, in case CSR-4790, the FCC is being asked by the cable companies to act
exactly contrary to Congressional intent in the 1996 Act: The cable companies want the
FCC to decide what is and is not fair compensation from telephone companies, and decide
municipalities' authority to manage their rights -of -way. Please write the FCC immediately,
reminding them that Congress removed its jurisdiction in these areas.
In addition, please remind the FCC that the Act requires all new phone companies,
including cable companies, to obtain local approval (typically a franchise) before they can
provide phone service. Such franchises may include fair compensation for use of the
public rights -of -way and preserve municipal control over its management. Please urge the
FCC to reject the cable companies' claims that they are exempt from these requirements.
Such franchising and right-of-way management is important to us because cable
companies generally serve only residential areas. They will have to build millions of miles
of new lines in our streets and highways to serve the commercial and industrial areas
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where the largest users of telephone service are located. The municipal franchising
authority that was preserved by the 1996 Act is thus important for municipalities, their
residents and business communities, and motorists nationwide.
Thank you for your assistance in this regard. If you have questions, municipal
representatives in Washington who may be able to assist you include Ms. Eileen Hugg
Executive Director of the National Association of Telecommunications Officers and
Advisors, phone 202-429-5101.
very truly yours,
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Robert S. Noe, Jr
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