Confused by Councilman Dave Aiazzi, the council takes no action on the committee's long range plan
10-13-2004

To: aiazzi@cityofreno.com (Dave Aiazzi)
From: Andrew Barbano <barbano@frontpage.reno.nv.us>
Subject: Long range cable TV plan and CCCC bylaws

10-13-2004
5:50 p.m. PDT

Regarding: Citizens Cable Compliance Committee (CCCC) recommendation that the city implement a long range backup plan to ensure continuity of cable TV service
http://www.cityofreno.com/community/relations/cccc/advantages.html

The Hon. David Aiazzi, Member
Reno City Council

Dear Councilman Aiazzi:

Per your statements at this afternoon's Reno City Council meeting wherein you noted that the CCCC has gone outside its purview in recommending the long-range cable TV backup plan (upon which the council took no action), I refer you to Article II of our bylaws, hereinbelow.

Your Citizens Cable Compliance Committee has reviewed that issue several times in public meetings. It appears well within our charter to formulate and make such a recommendation and that no amendment to our bylaws is necessary. (See the Article II statement of purpose and sections 7, 8 and 10.)

The council, of course, can ask us to perform any task and we would be happy to go forward. We think the long range plan is of utmost importance for the reasons delineated in committee, in print commentaries and testimony before the council.

If, as you stated, you think it too much of a burden on city staff, I think your citizens committee will certainly be willing to roll up our sleeves. Of course, there are some things city staff can do which we cannot, so some of the activity must by its nature be a collaborative effort.

I will agendize this for discussion at our regularly scheduled October 28 meeting (New City Hall, 6:30 p.m.). I look forward to seeing you there and to move this matter forward before the council in the next month. It would be helpful if the city staff research which the council requested today could be completed in time for our October session.

Thank you.

Sincerely,


Andrew Barbano, Chair
City of Reno Citizens Cable Compliance Committee
http://www.barbanomedia.com/charter.html

ec: Mayor and Council
City Attorney
City staff
CItizens Cable Compliance Committee
Media
Cable consumers

"Media is the plural of mediocre." — Jimmy Breslin

CENSORSHIP AT CITY HALL PART DEUX 10-25-2004 — An inquiry about why our cable meeting does not appear on SNCAT's schedule got this response: "I did check with (Executive Director) Vivienne French and the Citizens Cable Compliance Committee is not a meeting that has been negotiated in our new contract with the City of Reno as one that will be covered on a regular basis. In addition, at this point we have not received any request from the City of Reno for coverage." Kim Anhalt UPDATE 10-27-2004 — Councilmember Jessica Sferrazza's office called to say it was a mistake and will be rectified in the future, but it looks like we're off TV for this month, five days ahead of election day. DEJA VU ALL OVER AGAIN

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BY-LAWS OF THE CITIZENS CABLE COMPLIANCE COMMITTEE
http://www.cityofreno.com/community/relations/cccc/pdfs/ccccrevisedbylaws.pdf

ARTICLE II - PURPOSE AND GOALS

The purpose of the CCCC shall be to serve as an advisor to the City of Reno ("City")

   1. To monitor franchise contract compliance by each community antenna television ("CATV") company and to report to the City Council on the status of compliance at least once per year;
   2. To review reports filed by each CATV company;
   3. To assist in performing rate regulation as provided under Federal and State laws;
   4. If the Committee or a Committee member receives consumer complaints from the general public, to refer those complaints to City staff;
   5. To review and advise the City Council regarding CATV company’s complaint resolution process;
   6. To review and advise the City Council regarding the City’s complaint resolution process;
   7. To make recommendations to the City Council about the performance of each CATV provider so that the best information is available to the City in case of a minor or major default, and when preparing for a renewal of franchise, permit, license, contract, certificate, or agreement;
   8. To encourage the widest and most innovative development of CATV service to the public working with CATV providers, any public or private group, organization, or person; and,
   9. To review and make recommendations to the City Council regarding CATV discounts for economically and socially disadvantaged citizens;
   10. To perform such other tasks as the City Council might direct regarding CATV.

 

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