Minutes 03/25/1975 - Laserfiche WebLink

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'86 March 25, 1975 75-125 - "Consideration of a resolution urgin the Congress of the United States to remov copyright payments for carriage of broadcast signals on cable television. This resolution urges the Congress to remove from the Omnibus Copyright Revision Bill copyright payment for certain braodcasts on cable television. These costs would be borne ultimately by the subscriber of the cable television. The majority of the Cable Television Commission recommends adoption." On motion of Mr. Early and seconded by Mr. Eltiott, the following resolution was adopted and by the following vote: '~'A RESOLUTION URGING THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES TO REMOVE FROM THE OMNIBUS COPYRIGHT REVISION BILL LANGUAGE REQUIRING A COPYRIGHT PAY[~{ENT FOR CARRIAGE OF BROADCAST SIGNALS ON CABLE TELEVISION. WHEREAS, the matter of liability of cable television operators and, through them, cable subscribers to pay copyright royalties on television signals carried on cable televisio is now before the Congress of the United States in the Omnibus Copyright Revision Bill; and F~EREAS, the 1974 annual meeting of the United States Conference of Mayors in San Diego did unanimously approve Resolution Number 9 urging the United States Senate not to adopt legislation which would place an extra surcharge on the viewing of television programming via a cable television system; and ~HEREAS, this resolution was ignored and had no effect on the action of the United State in the September 9th passage of Senate Bill S.1361; and I%~EREAS, the United States Supreme Court has twice held that carriage of broadcast signals by cable television is not a performance under Federal copyright law for which copy~~ right royalties are required to be paid; and ~qERF~S, as a matter of pure logic .and economic theory, payment of copyright.royalties for carriage of broadcast signals on cable television is improper and can result ~n consumers paying copyright royalties twice; and iFHEREAS, the cable television industry, still in its infancy, should not be overburdened with required fees and charges, payment of which must be subsidized by the ultimate consumer, the cable television subscriber; and WHEREAS, the quality cable television service in and for the City of Portsmouth is important to the well-being, education, and informed status of our citizens; and WHEREAS, adoption of this copyright legislation by the full Congress of the United States will be inflationary and will selectively "tax" the cable viewing residents of the City of Portsmouth. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of Portsmouth, Virginia that the Congress of the United States is urged to remove from the Omnibus Copyright Revision Bill all language which would require a copyright payment for carriage of broadcast signals on cable television." Ayes: Barnes, Early, Elliott, Holley, Oast, Wentz Nays: None 75-126 "Consideration of an ordinance on first reading to appropriate $2,5?0 from the General Fund unappropriated surplus for Portsmouth's share of the operation cost of Tidewater Regional Health Planning Council. This appropriation is for the final semi-annual payment for the City's share of the operational costs for Tidewater Regional Health Planning Council. The original assessment was $9,412 and during the adoption of the 1974-75 budget, it was removed from a line item and placed in unappropriated surplus. Council has previously authorized $4,706 to be paid on the first semi-annual installment and we have now peen advised that due to reduction in operating costs, the balance due is $2,570." On motion of Mr. Oast and seconded by Mr. Elliott, the following ordinance was approved on first reading, and by unanimous vote: "AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $2,570 FROM THE G~NERAL FUND UNAPPROPRIATED.SURPLUS FOR OPERATIONAL COST OF TIDEWATER REGIONAL HEALTH PLAN COUNCIL.'~ Dr. C. M. G. Buttery, Director of Public Health Department, spoke and furnished certain information. NEW BUSINESS 75-127 - George R. Walker, 1749 Spratley Street, spoke on City Code Sections 2-49 2-56. ~'~' 75-128 - Dennis Moore, #6 Merrimac Drive, spoke regarding illegal towing of mobile from a private parking lot across from Maryview Hospital~ on March 24, at ~ouncil requested that the City Manager investigate towing of car belonging to Mr. Moore, that was removed from Nick's Hot Dog lot by Dave's ~recker, on above date, and was adopted by unanimous vote. his auto- 8:15 p.m.