ARESOLUTION APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING THE INTERNET DIVISION OF THE ELECTRIC POWER BOARD TO PROVIDE CERTAIN ADDITIONAL SERVICES.
WHEREAS,The Electric Power Board of Chattanooga, an independent board of the City of Chattanooga, (“Electric Power Board”) has developed a detailed business plan for the provision of internet services directly and through MetroNet, Incorporated; has submitted the business plan to the State Director of Local Finance; and has considered the State Director of Local Finance’s analysis of the business plan; and
WHEREAS,Pursuant to a notice of hearing published in the Chattanooga Times Free Press, the Electric Power Board conducted a public hearing on June 6, 2002; and
WHEREAS, All interested parties were invited to attend the public hearing and were permitted to ask questions and comment upon the proposed business plan and the provision of internet services; and
WHEREAS, After consideration of the foregoing, including the questions and comments received from all interested parties, the Electric Power Board has determined that the Internet Division of the Electric Power Board should provide internet services directly and through MetroNet, Incorporated under the authority of Tennessee Code Annotated §§ 7-52-601, et seq., and 7-52-103(c) and other applicable law, subject only to the approval of the City Council of the City of Chattanooga, Tennessee (“City Council”); and
WHEREAS, The City Council finds that new businesses consider the level of technological advancement of the City and the surrounding area prior to electing to locate here; and
WHEREAS,The City Council finds that local businesses consider the level of technological advancement of the City and the surrounding area when electing to remain here; and
WHEREAS, The City Council finds that the Electric Power Board’s provision of Internet services directly and through MetroNet, Incorporated will be a significant, integral and necessary step in the City’s economic development efforts and in the continuing technological advancement of the City and the surrounding area; and
WHEREAS, The City Council find that all necessary approvals should be given to the Electric Power Board in accordance with Tennessee Code Annotated §§ 7-52-601, et seq. and 7-52-103(c)
NOW, THEREFORE,
BEIT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE, That the Internet Division of Electric Power Board is hereby authorized to provide internet services directly and through its participation in MetroNet, Incorporated to the fullest extent permitted by Tennessee Code Annotated §§ 7-52-601, et seq. and 7-52-103(c) and other applicable law; provided, however, that nothing herein shall authorize or otherwise permit the Electric Power Board to provide cable television services directly through its Internet Division or through MetroNet, Incorporated.
ADOPTED: July 16, 2002
More information:
- Full Text of Tennessee Code Chapter 52 – Municipal Electric Plants
Authorizes municipal electric plants to "acquire, improve, operate, lease and maintain telecommunications equipment and to provide telecommunications services." - Declaration of Digital Democracy – by the Center for Digital Democracy
- Want to Know Who Controls Your Local Media? Use the Center for Public Integrity Media Ownership Database to research who owns what in radio, TV, cable, and telephone across the U.S.
- Well Connected – Center for Public Integrity’s excellent report and news library on telecommunications consolidation and democracy issues
- The American Public Power Association, the service organization for the nation’s municipal electric utilities, has a nice section on Community Owned Broadband Initiatives
