Knox County Cable Committee met April 4, 2007, 8:30-9:30 am in Room 640 of the City County Bldg. Chair Mike Hammond was present. I was there, I'm vice chair. Also present: Commissioners R. Larry Smith, Josh Jordan, and Lee Tramel. The group discussed and unanimously passed my resolution below:

Read more after the jump...

Whereas: Tennessee Senate Bill 1933 and House Bill 1421 take away the current authority of the county legislative body to enforce franchising agreements, including collection of franchise fees.

Whereas: These two bills are the latest in a historical pattern of stripping away the legitimate exercise of county authority over easements and impeding the enforcement of franchise agreements regarding cable and video service providers.

Whereas: The lack of a “build out” provision in these bills inevitably means some neighborhoods will not be served, leading to second- and third- class digital citizens.

Whereas: These bills also contain provisions threatening the availability and the very existence of public, educational, and government channels.

Therefore be it resolved that the Knox County Commission urges the East Tennessee legislative delegation in Nashville, and all state legislators, to oppose SB 1933/HB 1421.

Be it further resolve Knox County Commission urges the East Tennessee legislative delegation in Nashville, and all state legislators, to support these related bills:

HB2100/SB1572 would establish a non-profit "Tennessee Broadband Access Corporation to facilitate the deployment of broadband technologies across the state."

HB2103/SB1716 requires "the department of economic and community development to establish a ConnectTN program to bring statewide broadband expansion."

HB2099/SB1580 "Expands the membership of the Tennessee Broadband Task Force to include a representative of the Department of Education and requires the task force to submit an assessment of the state of broadband deployment on an annual basis."

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In other news I spoke to CTV's David Vogel about the copyright question. We reached agreement that the commission meetings should be available to be posted. We agreed on a modified version of one Creative Commons standard: Non-commercial, credit source, no derivative works except for dividing or cutting for length. Those wishing to do so, still will have to fill out a CTV form and show photo or other positive identification once (a quarterly request for renewal can be done by electronic communication). Vogel will deliver said form to anyone with mobility problems who cannot go to CTV. That may not be all that every Knoxviews blogger wants, but I believe it is an improved and clarified standard.
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PS I also called the members of Knox County's state legislative delegation in Nashville to tell them of the resolution. The resolution will be on the agenda of the next full County Commission meeting. --Mark Harmon