Coalition for Various Telecommunication FilingsTHE CITY OF Dubuque
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Masterpiece on the Mississippi
2007
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Coalition for Various Telecommunications Filings
DATE: November 9, 2009
Cable TV Coordinator Craig Nowack recommends the City Council approve committing
up to $10,000 to join a coalition of communities to pool resources for various
telecommunications filings anticipated in the coming months.
City Attorney Barry Lindahl concurs with the recommendation because this coalition will
encompass several filings covering several issues.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
Michael C. Van Milligen
MCVM:jh
Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, City Attorney
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Craig Nowack, Cable N Coordinator
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THE CITY OF
DUB E
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
TO:
FROM
DATE:
RE:
MEMORANDUM
Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
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Craig Nowack, Cable TV Coordinator L ~'
October 27, 2009
Coalition for Various Telecommunications Filings
Dubuque
All-America City
2007
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this memorandum is to recommend joining a coalition of communities to pool
resources for various telecommunications filings anticipated in the coming months.
BACKGROUND
In an a-mail late Friday afternoon, attorney Nick Miller from Miller & Van Eaton suggested that a
coalition of communities be formed to pool resources in various telecommunications filings that
are anticipated in the coming months. He feels local governments are at risk in the following
areas:
• the industry association for the wireless telecommunications industry (CTIA) is seeking
to preempt zoning of cell towers;
• the big telephone companies are asking the FCC to strike down rental contracts for the
use of public buildings and parks;
• the FCC is questioning whether local governments are impediments to broadband
deployment; and
• the NTIA is considering a revision of the rules for a second round of broadband stimulus
funding.
These factors, combined with the FCC's broadband plan due in February and the FCC initiative
on the issue of Net Neutrality, make for what Mr. Miller terms a "superwave" of activity on the
immediate horizon.
City Attorney Barry Lindahl heard Mr. Miller's presentation on this matter at the International
Municipal Lawyers Association conference last week and concurs with the recommendation.
Because this coalition will encompass several filings covering several issues, Nick Miller has
asked us to contribute up to $10,000 for this effort. Budget Director Jenny Larson confirms that
the Cable TV budget can accommodate that amount.
RECOMMENDED ACTION
I respectfully request your approval to commit up to $10,000 to join this coalition of communities
to represent local government on these issues of vital importance.
cc: Randy Gehl, Public Information Officer
Barry Lindahl, City Attorney
Jenny Larson, Budget Director
Teri Goodmann, Assistant City Manager