A resolution requesting Bellsouth to enter into cable franchise negotiations in Metropolitan Nashville and Davidson County.

WHEREAS, Bellsouth submitted legislation for filing with the 104th Tennessee General Assembly on February 16, 2006, which has been designated as Senate Bill 3210; and

WHEREAS; Senate Bill 3210 would remove the ability of local governments to enter into cable television franchises; and

WHEREAS, media reports have quoted Bellsouth officials as saying that the local franchise process takes a "long time"; and

WHEREAS, the last two applications for a county wide cable franchise took approximately 6 months from application to approval; and

WHEREAS, the current cable franchising system has served Nashville well by insuring that cable companies cannot "cherry pick" their customers; and

WHEREAS, additional Public, Education, and Government access venues would be of great value to Nashville; and

WHEREAS, based on Nashville's track record, Bellsouth could have already had their application for a franchise approved had they applied when they filed their legislation.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:

Section 1. That the Metropolitan County Council hereby goes on record as requesting Bellsouth to enter into negotiations for a local cable franchise in Davidson County.

Section 2. The Metropolitan Clerk is directed to send a copy of this Resolution to Marty Dickens, president of Bellsouth in Tennessee, and to each member of the Davidson County Delegation to the Tennessee General Assembly.

Section 3. That this Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.

Sponsored by: Lynn Williams