CCR2007081.
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REMOVED & WITHDRAWN -- 04/24/2007
COMMON COUNCIL - CITY OF MUSKEGO
RESOLUTION #081-2007
RESOLUTION REGARDING PROPOSED VIDEO FRANCHISING LEGISLATION
WHEREAS, The City of Muskego has an estimated population of 22,630, and has an estimated
6,300 cable television subscribers; and
WHEREAS, The proposed State video franchising legislation imposes an unfunded State
mandate upon the City of Muskego by reducing Franchise Fees (through definitional change)
which are deposited in Muskego's General Fund; and
WHEREAS, The proposed legislation unnecessarily adds additional responsibilities and
financial liabilities to the State of Wisconsin, which is already experiencing significant budget
deficits; and
WHEREAS, The proposed legislation decimates local regulation, control and custody of our
right-of-ways; and
WHEREAS, The proposed legislation reduces the openness and transparency of government
through the elimination of Public-Educational-Government (PEG) access; and
WHEREAS, The proposed legislation causes taxpayers within our community to subsidize the
installation of AT&T equipment and lines (and future other providers, including the local non-
exclusive cable franchisee) by preventing the City of Muskego from collecting permitting fees
due and payable by any other public or private entity; and
WHEREAS, The proposed legislation substantially and negatively impacts consumer
protections and recourse, as contained in Cable Franchise Agreements; and
WHEREAS, The City of Milwaukee and AT&T have entered into a three (3) year Agreement
bargained for in good faith between both parties that will eliminate the need for the proposed
legislation; and
WHEREAS, It is expected the City of Milwaukee/AT&T Agreement can be a blueprint and model
for both our community and communities statewide, including, but not limited to, the Regional
Telecommunications Commission communities of Bayside, Brookfield, Brown Deer, Butler,
Cudahy, Elkhorn, Elm Grove, Fox Point, Franklin, Germantown, Glendale, Greendale,
Greenfield, Hales Corners, Menomonee Falls, Mequon, Milwaukee, Muskego, New Berlin, River
Hills, Saukville, Shorewood, South
Milwaukee, Sussex, Thiensville, Wauwatosa, West Milwaukee, and Whitefish Bay; and
WHEREAS, The City of Muskego would have no objection to the existing non-exclusive cable
franchisee, Time-Warner Cable, from opting into such an Agreement.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Common Council of the City of Muskego
requests that the proposed video franchising legislation be withdrawn and that the municipalities
throughout the State of Wisconsin be encouraged to enter into agreements similar in scope and
content to that Agreement negotiated between the City of Milwaukee and AT&T, and that
existing cable franchise law be amended to permit existing local cable franchises to enter into
similar agreements.
DATED THIS 24TH DAY OF APRIL, 2007
Mayor John R. Johnson
Removed & Withdrawn: 04/24/2007
This is to certify that this is a true and accurate copy of Resolution #081-2007 which was
adopted by the Common Council of the City of Muskego.
Clerk-Treasurer