City Council Minutes 2017 07 05 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

City Council Meeting Minutes July 5, 2017 Page 6 of 18 AND SETTING FORTH RELATED DETAILS — 2ND READING —PUBLIC HEARING (advertised Daily Camera 06/25/17) Mayor Muckle requested a City Attorney introduction City Attorney Light introduced the Ordinance No. 1742, Series 2017 Mayor Muckle opened the public heanng and called for a staff presentation Deputy City Manager Balser stated the ordinance approves submitting to the registered electors of the City of Louisville at the regular municipal election to be held on Tuesday, November 7, 2017, the question of affirming the city's right to provide high-speed Internet services (advanced services), telecommunications services, and/or cable television services to residents, businesses, schools, libraries, nonprofit entities and other users of such services, either directly or indirectly with public or private sector partners In 2005 the Colorado legislature passed a law excluding local government from entering the broadband market. The legislation, Senate Bill 05-152, however, allows residents to vote to authorize their municipal or county government to provide high-speed Internet services (advanced services), telecommunications services, and/or cable television services. As of March 2017, 65 cities and towns have done just that, and in all cases the voters in each of these junsdictions have approved ballot measures granting the local government permission to provide broadband and other services. In 2016 Superior and Lafayette held elections and their voters approved allowing their municipal governments to provide broadband and other services. Boulder voters approved that city's election question in 2014 Some specific reasons to pursue voter's authorization to provide broadband and other telecommunications services include the following. • City leaders would have the power to negotiate with private intemet companies to explore options of how to share and facilitate more choices for high speed, cost effective broadband for citizens and businesses. • An exemption would allow the City to have more options in promoting business, commerce and economic development through partnerships to provide more choices for cost effective, high speed broadband • An exemption would allow the City to provide Wi-Fi in public spaces Staff recommends approval COUNCIL QUESTIONS Council member Maloney asked if the advanced agenda item concerning wireless code changes would affect this ballot issue Director Zuccaro said they are different items.