Davis, CA Creation of a Telecommunications Commission

Type: Resolution

Status: Adopted on 9/19/06

Vote: Unanimous

Source File: http://www.city.davis.ca.us/meetings/pdfs/Resolution_06-186-Telecommunications_Commission.pdf

Text:

RESOLUTION NO. 06-186, SERIES 2006
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DAVIS REGARDING THE STRUCTURE AND PURPOSE OF THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

WHEREAS, the City Council relies on Boards and Commissions to provide advice and information on subjects within the Telecommunications Commission’s scope; and

WHEREAS, the City of Davis has been active in cable and telecommunications oversight aimed at procuring services for Davis residents; and

WHEREAS, the city of Davis recognizes that telecommunication services are critical in helping the city as a whole in terms of economic benefit; and

WHEREAS, many residents of Davis possess knowledge and expertise in the area of telecommunications which may be beneficial to this purpose.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Davis creates a Telecommunications Commission to achieve the following

1. PURPOSE
The Davis Telecommunications Commission is to report to the City Council and community telecommunication partners about the use of cable, Internet and media resources.

As an advisory body of the Davis City Council, the commission is established and guided by the following documents:

a. Davis Anti-discrimination ordinance; and

b. Commission Handbook; and

c. Commission Policy Guidelines

2. MEMBERSHIP
The Telecommunications Commission shall consist of seven (7) members and one (1) alternate. All voting members of the Telecommunications Commission, regular and alternate, shall be appointed by the City Council. There shall be representatives from Davis Community Television, Davis Joint Unified School District, Davis Community Network, University of California, Davis and the remaining members being from the public at large.

The alternate member shall not vote except upon one of the following conditions:

a. Absence of one (1) or more of the regular members of the commission.

b. Disqualification of a regular member of the commission because of an expressed conflict of interest.

3. TERMS OF OFFICE
Members of the commission shall serve a term of four (4) years, or until their successors are appointed. For purposes of establishing staggered terms, appointments may be for terms varying between one (1) and four (4) years as the Council may decide. No members shall serve for more than two (2) consecutive terms, except under special circumstances.

4. TERMINATION OF APPOINTMENT
The term of appointment of any member of the commission who has been absent from three (3) consecutive regular or special meetings, or who has missed more than 1/3 of the meetings in a 12- month period, without the approval of the City Council, shall automatically terminate.

Members of the Telecommunications Commission serve at the pleasure of the Council and may be removed from office by a majority vote of the City Council.

5. VACANCIES
Vacancies on the commission shall be filled for the unexpired term in the same manner in which regular appointments are otherwise made.

6 OFFICERS OF THE COMMISSION
The members of the Telecommunications Commission annually shall select one (1) of its members as Chairperson and one (1) of its members as Vice Chairperson. No chairperson or vice chairperson shall serve more than two (2) consecutive years as chair.

a. THE CHAIRPERSON of the commission shall call the meetings to order at the appointed time, shall appoint all committees, subject to the approval of the commission, shall have all the powers and duties of the presiding officer as described in “Rosenberg’s Rules of Order: Simple Parliamentary Procedures for the 21st Century,” and shall perform such other duties as may from time to time be prescribed by the commission.

b. THE VICE CHAIRPERSON of the commission shall have all the powers and perform all the duties of the Chairperson in the case of absence or inability of the Chairperson to act. The Vice Chairperson shall perform such other duties as may from time to time be prescribed by the commission or the Chairperson.

7. MEETINGS OF THE COMMISSION
The Telecommunications Commission shall establish a regular time and place of meeting and shall hold regular meetings and meet at a minimum of once per quarter. Special meetings of the commission may be called by the Chairperson, or by any four (4) or more voting members of the commission, with permission of the Council liaison or the City Council. Personal notice must be given to all members of the commission. If personal notice cannot be given, written notice must be mailed to such members at least twenty-four (24) hours prior to said meeting, unless said notice requirement is waived in writing by said member.

8. QUORUM
For the purpose of transacting business, a quorum of the Telecommunications Commission shall consist of four (4) of the seven (7) members. An alternate member shall be counted as a full voting member for purposes of attaining a quorum.

9. FUNCTIONS OF THE COMMISSION
The Telecommunications Commission shall have the responsibilities as provided in this section and such other duties as the Council may, from time to time, decide:

a. To monitor pending legislation, rulings and court opinions which seek to limit the city’s right to manage local rights-of-way and other telecommunication matters and advise staff in developing letters of support or non-support of legislation affecting city telecommunication issues using already established criteria.

b. To facilitate communication and shared information between the city and community cable partners in a pro-active, clear, effective and straightforward manner.

c. To monitor the roll-out and implementation of the Institutional network in Davis, including the development of an Institutional Network operational structure.

d. To act as a liaison in the city’s partnership in community media center projects.

e. To recommend actions about the use of cable resources.

f. To advise Council about the development of subsequent cable franchises and other telecommunication agreements.

g. To recommend ways to bridge the digital divide for all Davis residents.