HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Works February 11 20031
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DISCLAIMER: This document contains the Whatcom County Council or Committee
minutes, as approved. However, unless an attested signature page is attached, they
are not the final approved minutes.
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Public Works and Capital Projects Committee
February 11, 2003
The meeting was called to order at 1:45 p.m. by Committee Chair Barbara
Brenner in the Council Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
Present:
L. Ward Nelson
Sam Crawford
Also Present:
Seth Fleetwood
Absent:
None
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL
1. DISCUSSION OF PROPOSED LETTER TO BE SENT TO THE
WASHINGTON STATE LEGISLATURE REGARDING RATE INCREASES
FOR CABLE SERVICE (AB2003 -080)
Brenner stated the letter should not be addressed to the Washington State
legislative delegation. It should go to the federal legislators, not the state
legislators. She recently read that John McCain is investigating the exorbitant rate
increases that the cable companies have been charging.
Brenner moved to amend to send the letters to the Washington federal
legislative delegation.
Motion carried unanimously.
Brenner moved to amend language, "...supports cable rates increases that
reflect...."
Motion carried unanimously.
Nelson moved to strike the word "enormous." He's had cable for some
time with no increases. The word is subjective.
Brenner stated she would support the amendment, but the news article
reported that the rate increase was forty percent. The cost of living increase was
four percent.
Motion to amend carried unanimously.
Nelson moved to add language, "...rate increases for cable service and their
impacts on citizens." There are seniors and low- income people that rely on cable
for their news information. Those are impacts he hoped they would explore.
Public Works and Capital Projects Committee, 2/11/2003, Page 1
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DISCLAIMER: This document contains the Whatcom County Council or Committee
minutes, as approved. However, unless an attested signature page is attached, they
are not the final approved minutes.
Motion carried unanimously.
Fleetwood asked if it is implicit that all concerns about rate increases are
about the effects to human beings.
Brenner stated they want to make sure Congress understands the concerns.
Desler suggested adding language, "...excessive rate increases for cable
service and adverse impacts to citizens."
Brenner moved to amend language, "...excessive rate increases for cable
service and adverse impacts to citizens."
Motion to amend carried unanimously.
Crawford stated it is absurd that they would weigh in on this issue and
suggest that the government should somehow control a market - driven service.
People can get news from other means than television. If people want to pay for
cable, it is up to them. If they don't like what cable charges, they don't have to
have it. They don't need television to live. The market should determine the rate.
Brenner stated there is no market. They are not given choices. They are
franchises.
Nelson stated he understands Councilmember Crawford's concern, but it is
not a free market enterprise. It is a franchise.
Crawford stated the telephone prices should be regulated. It is a life -or-
death necessity. Television is a luxury.
Motion to approve carried 2 -1 with Crawford opposed.
OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 1:53 p.m.
Jill Nixon, Minutes Transcription
ATTEST:
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Public Works and Capital Projects Committee, 2/11/2003, Page 2
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DISCLAIMER: This document contains the Whatcom County Council or Committee
minutes, as approved. However, unless an attested signature page is attached, they
are not the final approved minutes.
Dana Brown - Davis, Council Clerk Barbara Brenner, Committee Chair
Public Works and Capital Projects Committee, 2/11/2003, Page 3