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RESOLUTION N0. 87- 14 <br />INTRODUCED BY: Mayor Carmen & Council as a Whole <br />A RESOLUTION OPPOSING THE RATE INCREASE <br />IMPLEMENTED BY VIACOM CABLEVISION AND REQUESTING <br />THE CABLE TELEVISION FRANCHISEE TO MEET WITH <br />VILLAGE OFFICIALS TO JUSTIFY ITS ACTIONS. <br />WHEREAS, the Cable Communications Policy Act of 1984 removed <br />from local municipalities the authority to regulate certain aspects of <br />cable television subscriber rates; and <br />WHEREAS, Viacom Cablevision has notified the City that there <br />will be an increase in cable television subscriber rates effective <br />February 1, 1987; and <br />WHEREAS, the rate increase implemented by Viacom Cablevision <br />will be approximately 33.498 for basic cable service; and <br />WHEREAS, the aforesaid rate increase is excessive and has <br />been implemented by Viacom Cablevision under circumstances in which <br />the company need not justify its increase with the appropriate cost <br />data; and <br />WHEREAS, the aforesaid rate increase is clearly an abuse of <br />the authority conferred upon Viacom Cablevision by the deregulation of <br />the cable television industry and clearly falls outside of the intent <br />of the United States Congress in allowing the "marketplace" to <br />determine cablevision rates; and <br />WHEREAS, the rate increase does not contemplate the plight <br />of senior citizens, most of whom are on fixed incomes and who will <br />find the increase unaffordable; and <br />WHEREAS, the cable television system was constructed several <br />years ago when interest rates were higher and the company amortization <br />schedule for its initial investment should have been fixed at that <br />time and remain unchanged; and <br />WHEREAS, the current market is one of nearly zero inflation <br />which should find Viacom Cablevision with its expenses fixed; and <br />WHEREAS, the Mayor and Council of Mayfield Village, Ohio, <br />feel that the rate increase implemented by Viacom Cablevision is <br />unconscionable and should be rescinded by the company until such time <br />as it can schedule a meeting with the Village to justify the rate <br />increase; now, therefore, <br />BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF HAYFIELD VILLAGE, OHIO, THAT: <br />Section 1. The Mayor and Council of Mayfield Village, <br />Ohio, for the reasons set forth in the preamble hereto, vehemently <br />oppose the rate increse implemented by Viacom Cablevision effective <br />February 1, 1987. <br />Section 2. The Mayor and Council of Mayfield Village, <br />Ohio, call upon Viacom Cablevision to rescind the rate increase until <br />such time as the company and Village officials can schedule a meeting <br />