09/16/1981 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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------ M I NUT E S e. Eugene City Council City Council Chamber September 16, 1981 11: 30 a.m. COUNCILORS PRESENT: Councilors Gretchen Miller, Brian Obie, Betty Smith, Mark Lindberg, D. W. Hamel, Cynthia Wooten, and Emily Schue. COUNCILOR ABSENT: Eric Haws. The adjourned meeting of the City Council of the City of Eugene, Oregon, was called to order by His Honor, Mayor Gus Keller. I. ITEMS FROM MAYOR & COUNCIL, APPOINTMENTS, ANNOUNCEMENTS, AGENDA ADJUSTMENTS A. Telecommunications Competition and Deregulation Act of 1981 Ms. Wooten stated that she has been more and more concerned about Senate Bill 898--Telecommunications Competition and Deregulation Act of 1981--which would e strip franchise regulations from local governments. There is a broad concern across the country and she has worked with the Metropolitan Area Cable Television/ Translator Commission. She has drafted a mailgram which she hopes the council will agree to send. Pat Lynch, Council Administrator, distributed the draft mailgram. The August 1981 League of Oregon Cities newsletter contained addi- tional information about this proposed bill. This will be heard by the Senate on Monday and she has asked that provisions regarding cable television be separated so that proper public hearings can be held. She asked for council consideration of this draft mailgram. Mr. Obie stated that although he is not involved in the cable television industry, he has written a letter on his own supporting the legislation. He wou 1 d prefer that, if the council is to take a position, they have the opportunity to hear both sides of this issue. Mr. Lindberg stated that the mailgram is only request- ing the Senate to separate the issues into two components but does not suggest taking a position on the legislation. A position could be taken at a later time. Ms. Smith noted support for Mr. Lindberg's suggestion. There may be some misunderstandings with this issue. She would be willing to ask that the components be separated but she would not be willing to take a position at this time. Mr. Obie indicated that he is not familiar enough with the legislation to know what impact there would be in separating the issues. Mr. Hamel stated that as the council representative to the Cable Commission, he would support Ms. Wooten's suggestion of sending the mailgram. He talked with , Senator Packwood I s aide 1 ast week. Therefore, the council may already have e MINUTES--Eugene City Council September 16, 1981 Page 1