HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 03281989 - 1.72 I '
-072
TO: Board of Supervisors
FROM: Sara M. Hoffman, Franchise Administrator
DATE: March 3, 1989
SUBJECT: Review of the Technical and Operational Requirement of Part 76, Cable TV
Specific Request(s) or Recommendations(s) & Background & Justification
RECOMMENDATION
Authorize the Franchise Administrator to submit comments to the Federal Communications Commission in support
of the National League of Cities position on MM DOCKET NO. 8538 (Review of the Technical and Operational
Requirements of Part 76, Cable Television.)
FINANCIAL IMPACT
No financial impact to the County.
REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATION/BACKGROUND
The Federal Communications Commissions Further Notice of Proposed Rule Making on MM Docket No. 8538
("Further Notice") concerning technical and operational requirements for Cable Television systems proposes the
extension of the minimal operational guidelines now applicable to Class I channels be applied to Class II through
IV channels and the adoption of a prohibition on the establishment of more stringent standards by franchising
authorities. The National League of Cities strongly opposes this proposal and recommends that the Commission
adopt operational guidelines developed by the National Association of Telecommunication Officers and Advisors
("NATOA"). Staff concurs with the National League of Cities that these more stringent guidelines should replace
those developed by the FCC in 1972. Both the National League and Staff believe that the FCC guidelines do not
reflect technological developments.
As a franchising authority the County is authorized under Section 62(C)(1)(b)of the Cable Communications Policy
Act of 1984 to consider whether the quality of the Cable Operators picture has been"reasonable in light of community
needs" in deciding whether or not to renew a franchise. The adoption of the Operational guidelines proposed by
the National League of Cities will assist the County in fulfilling its responsibilities to the public and meeting its
obligations under the Cable Act.
Continued on attachment: XXes Si nature.�r2-1
Y g
Recommendation of Recommendation of
County Administrator Board Committee
Approve Other:
Signature(s):
Action of Board on: MAR 2 8 1989 Approved as Recommended x Other
Vote of Supervisors I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE
_ AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION 'TAKEN
X Unanimous (Absent ) AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE
Ayes: Noes: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ON DATE SHOWN.
Absent: Abstain: MAR 2 8 1989
Attested
Orig. Div.: CAO Franchise Adm. Phil Batchelor
cc: Clerk of the Board of Supervisors
and County Administrator
By blo , Deputy Clerk
SH:eh(testmony .bo)
Before the
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20554
In the Matter of )
Review of the Technical and ) MM Docket No. 85-38
Operational Requirements of )
Part 76, Cable Television )
COMMENTS OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
The County of Contra Costa hereby submits these comments in response to the Federal Communications
Commission's ("FCC") Further Notice of Proposed Rule Making in MM Docket No. 85-38 ("Further Notice")
concerning the establishment of technical and operational requirements for cable television. In the Further Notice,
the Commission has proposed to extend the minimal standards which now apply to Class I channels to Class II-IV
channels and to preclude cable franchising authorities from establishing more stringent standards.
In the view of Contra Costa County,it is essential that the Commission establish meaningful and up-to-date signal
quality standards which will enable franchising authorities to make an accurate ascertainment of the quality of signal
received by the community's cable subscribers. The standards proposed by the Commission in the Further Notice
were developed in 1972 at a time when cable television was used primarily to retransmit the signals of television
broadcast stations in areas where the quality of over-the-air reception was poor. Since 1972,the nature of the services
provided over cable systems has undergone major changes,with the development of satellite services and other types
of programming.
Modern signal quality standards are necessary to ensure that a high-quality signal is delivered to our community's
subscribers. In view of the importance of signal quality as a basic indicator of consumer satisfaction and as a factor
for consideration by the franchising authority in renewal proceedings, it is essential that the Commission's signal
quality standards reflect current technological realities. Contra Costa County agrees with the National League of
Cities position that the Commission's proposed standards do not meet this basic requirement.
We therefore urge the Commission to adopt the standards proposed by the National League of Cities in its comments.
These standards were developed through the efforts of the National Telecommunications Officers and Advisors,an
organization made up of cable regulators and administrators, and reflect input from engineers and other experts.
They represent an effort on the part of city officials to establish reasonable and balanced standards which will enable
franchising authorities to fulfill their responsibilities to protect the public interest.
Respectfully submitted,
Sara M. Hoffman
Franchise Administrator
Contra Costa County
651 Pine Street, 8th Floor
Martinez, CA 94553
testmony