HomeMy WebLinkAboutA001 - Memo from Mayor, veto of ordinance FILED
CITY CLERK
CITY OF AMES,IOWA
City of AMES, Iowa
V 50010 JU
L 1 I IM
(515) 232-6210
DATE: July 13, 1978
TO: Ames City Council Members
FROM: Mayor Lee Fellinger
SUBJECT: Veto of Ordinance Regulating Cable Television
This communication constitutes the Mayor' s veto of Ordinance No. 2661
reading:
"Revenues derived from the franchise fee will be utilized solely for regu-
lation and improvement of cable television service and programming within
the City of Ames. "
My objections to this section are based on the following reasons:
1. This section earmarks revenues rather than receiving them as part of
the General Fund along with property taxes and other receipts.
2. Since the Cable Television Ordinance Committee reduced the franchise
fee from 5% to 3% because it is difficult to justify an extra 2% to
the Federal Communication Commission for the purpose of regulating
cable television, it seems to me that Ames residents will find the
allocation of 3% for that same purpose very difficult to understand.
3. This allocation is premature and untimely until cable television is
widely accepted by Ames residents as far as programming the City
channel .
4. When the time comes that cable television is widely subscribed by
Ames residents, the revenues may exceed the funds justified for the
purposes stated and any excesses should not be restricted from more
general civic needs for the health and protection of Ames residents.
5. The word improvement in this section may lead to subjective interpreta-
tion. This is objectionable when the comments during the hearings on
this ordinance clearly indicated the intent to provide alternative
programming.
Combining Education and Industry with Hospitality
Page 2
Ames City Council Members
July 13, 1978
I believe that section 36-11025.2(D) is in order and properly provides for
the budgeting process for the Cable Television Commission. However, the phrase
"said budget not to exceed revenues available to the City of Ames from cable
television fees" may place an unjustifiable restraint on possibilities for
excellent civic affairs programming and providing emergency information to the
public.
Therefore, I respectfully request that the Ames City Council delete
section 36-11015.3 so that I may sign this ordinance with clear conscience on
behalf of the people of Ames.
Sincerely,
Lee Fellinger
Mayor
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