AGENDA #16a(2)
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MEMORANDUM |
MAYOR’S OFFICE phone (919) 968-2714 fax
(919) 969-2063 |
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To: |
Town Council Members |
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From: |
Mark Kleinschmidt, Council Member Sally Greene, Council Member |
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Date: |
June 11, 2007 |
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Subject: |
Opposition to House Bill 1587 |
PURPOSE
The attached resolution is an effort to persuade the House Finance Committee to take no further consideration of House Bill 1587. We believe this Bill, if enacted into law, would not be in the best interests of the Town or other local governments in North Carolina which are considering construction of fiber optic systems and other communications systems for the benefit of their citizens.
BACKGROUND
On May 30, 2007, House Bill 1587 was heard in the House Public Utilities Committee. There was no vote taken on the bill.
On June 6, 2007, House Bill 1587 was before the Public Utilities Committee meeting once again. We were present to hear the voting. The Bill was referred out of Public Utilities with a favorable report and now goes to the House Finance Committee for consideration.
The House Finance Committee has not yet scheduled the hearing for House Bill 1587, but it will be in the near future.
DISCUSSION
The Town of Chapel Hill is interested in exploring the opportunity to serve the community of Chapel Hill with digital communications, some of which include the use of wireless networking and fiber optic cables.
Much planning has been put into the Town of Chapel Hill’s expansion of technology, and House Bill 1587 erects additional and unnecessary barriers which severely hinder local government’s ability to provide technological aid to local businesses and residences. Technological consultation has already been scheduled to provide insight and assistance at the end of June 2007. In addition, the Town of Chapel Hill has set aside significant funding in preparation for their technological expansion efforts.
RECOMMENDATION
We recommend that the Council adopt the attached resolution in an effort to persuade the House Finance Committee to take no further consideration of House Bill 1587.