HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Report - March 17, 1982 (41)vk�
C
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
March 17, 1982
Gc ,.
f INF'ORNNIATION REC:EIVE'D City Clerk Reimche prescntecl <i tetter which had
RE Alt 699 been received from Verne L. Roberts, Mayor. City 1
of Antioch, and Joseph S. `iiino. Mayor, City of
Pittsburg, regarding All 699 Cable 'r%' Litigation.
• - ,{`may - ::
4 Yy
Y
CIVIC CENTER • P O. BOX 1518 • PITTSBURG. CALIFORNIA 94665
March 5, 1982
SPECIAL BULLETIN TO ALL CALIFORNIA MAYORS
Re: AB 699 Cable TV Litigation
Dear Mayor:
As I'm sure you are aware, when the Legislature
passed AB 699, enacting Government Code §53056.1, cities and
counties throughout the state were stripped of Their power
to regulate rates for cable TV service. Rates are now set
by monopoly companies with little or no regard for
conditions existing in local communities.
T' a cities of Pittsburg and Antioch have filed a
suit in Contra Costa Superior Court challenging the validity
of AB 699. We feel that the statute unlawfully impairs
those franhise agreements which specify that the local city
councils or boards of supervi s.;rs wi 1 1 approve rate
increases. AB 699 also appears to violate other
constitutional provisions which grant to cities and counties
exclusive control over local streets. In addition, the
lawsuit attacks the statutory preconditions to deregulation
because of important ambiguities contained in AB 699.
Pittsburg and Antioch have retained the law firm
of Rutan A Tucker to assist with prosecution cf the case.
The case will have statewide significance, because the
validity of AB 699 is being litigated. Since court costs
are expected to be high, we are soliciting funds from cities
and counties. throughout the state to assist with the
litigation.
Your city or county may have a vital interest in
having AB 699 invalidated; or, )ou may be interested in
supporting a chali€nge to unwarranted state interference
with local affairs. If so, contribution toward this case
will be in your interest. Funds will be used for
prosecution of the case and for the expected appeal.
GATEWAY TO THE DELTA MAR 15 1982
Of
Ma: ch 5, 1982
Page two
schedule:
We are recommending the following contribution
POPULATION OF JURISnICTION AMOUNT
less than 10,000 250.(10
10,000 - 50,000 $ 500.00
50,009 - 100,000 S 750.00
over 100,000 51.000.00 or more
Any unused funds would be returned on a pro rata
basis.
If you are interested in supporting this case,
such a contribution should be seat to the City of Pittsburg,
c/o City Attorney, 1901 Railroad Avenue, Pittsburg CA 94565.
Questions can be addressed to Pittsburg City Attorney John
Shaw, 415/439-4890. Your assistance is very warmly
appreciated.
VERNE L. ROBERTS
_.
Mayor
City of Antioch
JSS/YLR/kw
Mayor
City of Pittsburg