HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 3232-07-2005A Resolution
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NO 3a3a-o`7-~oS
AUTHORIZING EMPLOYMENT OF OUTSIDE LEGAL COUNSEL FOR
ASSISTANCE IN NEGOTIATION OF
CABLE TELEVISION FRANCHISE
WITH GTE SOUTHWEST d/b/a VERIZON SOUTHWEST
WHEREAS, GTE Southwest d/b/a Verizon Southwest ("Verizon") is a local telephone company
that provides service in the far north sector of the City of Fort Worth ("City")• and
WHEREAS, Verizon wishes to provide cable television service through its current system and,
in accordance with Trtle VI of the Communications Act of 1934 as amended, has applied for a cable
franchise from the Crty and
WHEREAS, other local telephone companies, including SBC, are likely to add cable
programming as a service offered through their systems, and
WHEREAS, cable franchises with local telephone companies involve numerous complex legal
issues distinct and apart from those with traditional cable companies, and
WHEREAS, because the cable franchise granted to Venzon will establish the basic franchise
that the City will have with other local telephone companies that wish to provide cable television service
through their systems, it ~ important that all issues be identified and negotiated at the outset;
WHEREAS, the law firm of Varnum, Riddering, Schmidt & Howlett, L.L.P has substantial
expertise in the area of federal cable communications law and has provided outside cable counsel
services to the City for at least 10 years,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT
WORTH, TEXAS
I.
That the City Attorney is hereby authorized to retain the law firm of Varnum, Riddering,
Schmidt & Howlett, L.L.P as outside counsel pursuant to Section 3 Chapter VI of the City Charter to
assist the City Attorney in various matters concerning cable television franchises and regulations.
II.
That, as far as practicable, the compensation to be paid to the law firm of Varnum, Riddermg,
Schmidt & Howlett, L.L.P shall not exceed a total amount of $35 000
AND IT IS SO RESOLVED..
Adopted this g~" day of J ~~~\ 2005
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ATTEST ~~ ~'
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Marty Hendrix
.: , ~, ,i.. ~. ~
Crty.Secretary~
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~~~~r~''~'-APPROUd~ED
CITY COUNCIL
JUL 5 2005
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City Secretary of the
City of Fort Worth, Texas
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