CC MInutes - 02/14/00 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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the importance of a level playing field for smaller companies and for EWEB to have broad authority in charter language. Kevin Hornbuckle spoke in favor of the charter amendment and stressed the importance of having capacity for local providers. He wanted to put the issue before the voters. He urged the council to grant broad authority to EWEB. Mayor Torrey closed the public hearing and called for questions and comments from the councilors. He left the meeting at 8:50 p.m. Councilor Nathanson stated her strong support for a public utility providing high speed access for telecommunications. She commented that the number one goal for the telecommunications subcommittee in 1997 was that all city residents, businesses, and public institutions shall have access to the full range of telecommunications services at affordable rates. Councilor Nathanson went on to express her hope that the current council would continue to support universal and open access by allowing the provision to go to the voters. She stressed that telecommunications was a public utility. Councilor Kelly thanked those who provided testimony. He stated his support for the EWEB proposal and stressed that the City should not wait for private companies to provide universal access. He said that the question of EWEB providing content should be put to the voters. He stressed the importance of creditors having no claim to electric or water rate revenues during Phase 2 of the project. Councilor Taylor was in favor of the proposal. She called for information from staff on the possibility of authorizing EWEB without a vote. City Attorney Glenn Klein said that the current charter allowed all powers to the City Council including telecommunications. He said that the disadvantage was that the current charter was not clear on delegation of authority. In response to a question from Councilor Taylor regarding disadvantages, Mr. Berggren said that there was a high likelihood of legal challenges to EWEB's authority regarding telecommunications and that a clear statement of authority in the charter language would help to avoid those challenges. Councilor Fart raised concern over language flexibility in the charter. He wanted to know how long EWEB's fiber system would be viable and what would happen when it became obsolete and the charter language had to be revisited. Regarding subsidization of the fiber program by other EWEB services, Councilor Farr wanted to see in the charter amendment where subsidization would be ruled out. Finally, Councilor Fart called for information on the possibility of legal challenges of the City's ability to tax and regulate companies that were in direct fiber competition. Councilor Rayor said that he was generally supportive of EWEB's proposal. He wanted to see guarantees that rate payers would not subsidize the system. He called for a report from the City Attorney regarding the content issue and said that it should be voted on. He commented that MINUTES--Eugene City Council February 14, 2000 Page 6 Regular Meeting