City Councilscope
|
City CouncilScope for 11.13.08 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Written by Pulse Staff
|
|
Tuesday, 11 November 2008 22:37 |
b) An ordinance granting a franchise to the Electric Power Board of Chattanooga, an independent board of the City of Chattanooga, Tennessee, to construct, operate and maintain a cable system in the City of Chattanooga, Tennessee, for the purpose of providing cable service; setting forth conditions accompanying the grant of the franchise; providing for regulation and use of the system and the public rights-of-way in conjunction with the City’s right-of-way ordinance, if any; and prescribing penalties for the violations of the provisions herein.
Begun, the cable wars have. Unfortunately, we don’t seem to have a Yoda around to help us untangle the mess that will soon be descending on the city as consumers try to figure out which company is best for their television, phone and Internet service. Prices are confusing, bundle packages seem to change rates and configurations at a moment’s notice, and no one seems to know what it will really cost the Electric Power Board in the long run to compete against the big boys of Comcast and AT&T.
We have nothing against competition. In fact, we welcome more players to the cable table, since a choice between one cable company and the two big satellite companies isn’t really much of a choice. Prices are much higher here in Chattanooga than in many cities of comparable size, and that is primarily due to the lack of real competition.
That said, there are still many reservations about EPB getting into the cable business. First and foremost is that it is not a private company. It is owned by the City of Chattanooga and any losses get covered straight from the taxpayers’ wallet. That is the very definition of an unfair advantage; how many businesses have the safety net of knowing if their business model fails, the taxpayers will bail them out?
OK—maybe a bad analogy these days, but the concept still has validity. The real question will be whether or not EPB can truly compete against Comcast and (in the near future) AT&T when it comes to price and service. If they can offer a truly competitive product, then good for them. But we would still feel more comfortable if they went at it on their own financial merits instead of using taxpayers as their financial backing. |
|
|
City CouncilScope for 10.16.08 |
|
|
|
|
Written by Pulse Staff
|
|
Wednesday, 15 October 2008 19:50 |
Here is one of the more interesting agenda items set to be discussed at the October 21 meeting of the Chattanooga City Council.
f) A resolution authorizing the Chattanooga Fire Department Metropolitan Medical Response System (MMRS) Project Manager to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Health Department Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) to provide specific supplies which it has requested to operate within this community for responses to any mass casualty event with the understanding that the repair and replacement of any equipment and/or supplies issued pursuant to this Memorandum of Understanding shall be the sole responsibility of the Medical Reserve Corps.
The Medical Reserve Corps was founded after President Bush’s 2002 State of the Union Address, in which he asked all Americans to volunteer in support of their country. It is a partner program with Citizen Corps, a national network of volunteers dedicated to ensuring hometown security. Citizen Corps, along with AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, and the Peace Corps are part of the President’s USA Freedom Corps, which promotes volunteerism and service nationwide.
MRC volunteers include medical and public health professionals such as physicians, nurses, pharmacists, dentists, veterinarians, and epidemiologists. Many community members—interpreters, chaplains, office workers, legal advisors, and others—can fill key support positions.
This is one of those resolutions that is vital to make sure that if any major catastrophe or disaster befalls our fair city, that the various emergency services will be prepared and properly equipped to handle and respond to such events.
The Chattanooga City Council meets each Tuesday at 6 p.m. in the City Council Building at 1000 Lindsay St. For more information on the agendas, visit www.Chattanooga.gov/City_Council/110_Agenda.asp
|
|
City CouncilScope for 10.2.08 |
|
|
|
|
Written by Pulse Staff
|
|
Tuesday, 30 September 2008 21:58 |
|
Here is one of the more interesting items set to be discussed at the October 7 meeting of the Chattanooga City Council.
6. Ordinances – First Reading:
a) An ordinance to amend Chattanooga City Code, Part II, Chapter 5, Section 5-75(b), regarding exceptions to the distance restrictions for the sale of beer or other beverages of like alcoholic content to the area of Warner Park occupied by the Chattanooga Zoo and to remove Eastgate Plaza from the exceptions listed in Section 5-75(b).
This is one of the first-reading ordinances that jumps out during the first look at the upcoming council agendas, mainly because it is often difficult even for experienced political watchers to figure out exactly what it being requested in an ordinance.
First of all, Section 5-75 of the City Code deals with the conditions under which alcohol permits can be refused, with (b) covering the minimum distances away from school, churches and adult-oriented businesses the applicant must be to get a permit.
At first glance, it appears that the council wants to either expand the alcohol-free zone around the Chattanooga Zoo, or change it to allow alcohol to be consumed at the zoo for special functions. Since the two alternatives are polar opposites, we went directly to the City Attorney’s office and asked them what the actual intent of the ordinance was.
They told us it concerned a way for the zoo to be able to host events and fundraisers, while serving an adult beverage or two. Considering how much the zoo has already improved, it might help fundraising even more if big donors could have a glass of wine or a cold beer. It certainly couldn’t hurt, as long as Hank stays sober.
The Chattanooga City Council meets each Tuesday at 6 p.m. in the City Council Building at 1000 Lindsay St. For more information on agendas, visit Chattanooga.gov//City_Council/110_Agenda.asp. |
|
City CouncilScope for 9.25.08 |
|
|
|
|
Written by Pulse Staff
|
|
Thursday, 25 September 2008 20:02 |
|
Here is one of the more interesting items set to be discussed at the September 30 meeting of the Chattanooga City Council.
g) A resolution authorizing the Mayor to extend the current contract with Strategy Team Facilitators Consultants for an additional six (6) months, or through March 2009, to assist the Mayor with strategic planning, targeted area economic development, project planning and implementation, inter-organizational collaboration and community-based capacity building, community involvement, and resource development in an amount not to exceed the current rate of $8,888.89 per month.
We’re sure that Mayor Littlefield feels that this is money well spent and that he needs the assistance of the STF consultants, but there are times, when spending issues are tightening up and tax revenues are falling, that one has to ask if consultants are worth the money. $8,888.89 per month could pay for two more police officers, for example, which in the long run would have a very great economic impact on the city, since safer streets make for a more attractive business environment.
Another cost-savings solution would be to create another one of the Mayor’s “Blue Ribbon” panels of local experts who would volunteer their time to advise the mayor on strategic planning, et al. While we are sure there any many consultants out there worth the time and money, anyone who has ever read the “Dilbert” comic strip for any length of time will understand the truth behind the comedic exaggerations of Dogbert. We’ll see if anyone on the the Council even asks about the resolution or if it will be another “rubber stamp” approval. |
|
City CouncilScope for 9.18.08 |
|
|
|
|
Written by Pulse Staff
|
|
Wednesday, 17 September 2008 19:44 |
|
Here is one of the more interesting items set to be discussed at the September 16 meeting of the Chattanooga City Council. The City Council meets every Tuesday evening at 6:00 pm at the City Council Building.
h) A resolution authorizing the Administrator of the Department of Parks and Recreation to enter into a Lease Agreement with Sergeant David Frye for a house located at 406 Brown Road, as referenced in Case No. MR-2008-153, in consideration of $100.00 per month in rent and Sergeant Frye’s security services at Brown Acres Golf Course and Brainerd Golf Course, in substantially the form attached hereto.
Ever get the feeling that sometimes you are in the wrong line of work? Far be it for us to ever make light of the dangers law enforcement officers face every day and the very difficult job they have chosen as their profession, every once in a while something comes along that makes us just a teeny-tiny bit jealous. Yes, we know that the above resolution is a good deal for Brown Acres and the Brainerd Golf Course—an on-site security guard in exchange for a house—but how many golf fans would love to get a chance to live on a golf course for a mere $100 a month? That said, we feel that Sergeant David Frye is a fine police officer, an all-around great guy, and a true humanitarian. We also want to know if he needs any assistance in guarding the golf courses…and we’ll even be willing to bring our own clubs with us to help “make rounds.”
The Chattanooga City Council meets each Tuesday at 6 p.m. in the City Council Building at 1000 Lindsay St. For more information on agendas, visit Chattanooga.gov//City_Council/110_Agenda.asp. |
|
|
|
|
<< Start < Prev 1 2 Next > End >>
|
|
Page 1 of 2 |
|
|
