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<br />e <br /> <br />_INS <br /> <br />& ARMSTRONG, P. C. <br />ATTORNEYS AT LAW <br /> <br />,\ i?~ ~'~2)~f <br />SW Bell Franchise Renewa!,.... ? \\J/ If ~!j <br />November 18, 1997 <br />Page 2 <br /> <br />e. the authority of municipalities to impose conditions on or <br />require compensation from telecommunications utilities <br />providing telecommunications services wholly within the <br />municipality by resale of telecommunications services or the <br />use of facilities of other telecommunications utilities; and <br /> <br />f. such other issues as are necessary to promote pUblic interest <br />and effect the policies to promote competition. <br /> <br />While this legislation initially included only "telecommunications <br />utilities", it was amended to include cable television companies <br />for the purposes of the Committee's review and study. <br /> <br />This legislation expressly states that: <br /> <br />"affected parties [such as cities] are placed on notice <br />that any terms and conditions, including compensation, of <br />municipal fee agreements, ordinances, charters or other <br />municipal requirements now or hereafter in existence may <br />be superseded or subj ect to amendment, to the extent <br />inconsistent with the terms of legislation hereafter <br />enacted." <br /> <br />The Public utility Commission is to provide information for the <br />Committee and is to issue a report on its investigations to the <br />Committee by June 1, 1998. The Committee is to issue its report <br />and recommendations to the Legislature by November 1, 1998. <br /> <br />Due to the fact that the study committee may recommend legislation <br />to the 1999 Session of the Legislature which could substantially <br />alter the manner in which cities are allowed to contract with <br />telecommunication providers, I recommend passage by City Council of <br />the enclosed form of ordinance which has been negotiated with <br />representatives of Southwestern Bell Telephone Company, as an <br />interim measure. This will extend the current agreement, and will <br />allow the City and Southwestern Bell to incorporate any legislative <br />changes into a subsequent renewal agreement. I"~ <br /> <br />y~ very" trulYl!. \ <br /> <br />("let4- 1<-~ r{J~ <br /> <br />Knox W. Askins <br />City Attorney <br />City of La Porte <br />