ESTACADA CITY HALL, COUNCIL CHAMBERS
475 SE MAIN STREET, ESTACADA, OREGON
MONDAY, JANUARY 23, 2006 - 6:00 PM
CONVENE MEETING
Mayor Austin opened the council workshop at 6:00 pm.
Present: Cr.
Michele Conditt, Cr. Becky Arnold, Cr. Richard Hartwig, Cr. Norm Ernst, Cr. Kay
Nelson, Cr. Ben Erickson, Mayor Bob Austin, CM Randy Ealy, CR Denise Carey.
FRANCHISE FEE UPDATE – Dave
Barenberg, League of Oregon Cities
Mr. Barenberg, LOC Legislative Director, gave a brief history of how franchise fees came about and the theory behind them. Oregon cities have broad authority except what the state takes away. The legislature said that cities can charge for the use of the right-of-way to incumbent telephone providers up to 7% on the base fee. He reviewed Quest v. City of Portland, where Quest challenged the right of the city to have franchise agreements and to collect a franchise fee under federal law. The judge ruled in the cities’ favor to be able to have franchise agreements and collect franchise fees. He reviewed issues that will be considered at the national level regarding franchising.
Mr. Barenberg answered questions from the council
regarding issues being debated at the federal level. He also clarified that larger cities offer
more than one provider for telephone and cable services but in Estacada the
resources are limited and it may not be worth it to other providers to pay for
new lines or the use of existing lines.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 6:55 pm.