Council opposes AT&T proposal

Shelbyville's city council passed a resolution stating its opposition to an upcoming state bill concerning cable television franchising rights and possible competition in the area.

AT&T, formerly known as BellSouth, wants to change Tennessee state law to permit companies "willing to compete with the monopoly cable TV providers" to get a statewide franchise to provide cable services themselves.

However, City Manager Ed Craig said last week that towns would lose if the bill was passed. He cited a lack of "build out" option, where services must be provided to all parts of the city, service standards, and no requirement to provide service to schools and municipal buildings, among other problems.

Craig stated Thursday that cable bills would not drop if there was competition from other providers.

Currently, Charter Communications contracts with Shelbyville and other area communities to use the public rights-of-way to offer cable service. In return, Charter pays the towns a franchising fee.

Craig added that only 7,000 customers nationwide were using the AT&T video service.

However, the council also passed a motion to offer AT&T a franchise agreement with the city.

The city's treasurer has been authorized to turn over delinquent property taxes for 2005 to the city attorney for collection.

The council has also authorized the mayor to writer a letter to the Tennessee Department of Transportation's Aeronautics Division, asking for assistance with an airport survey, GPS and airport layout plan. The council also passed a motion to solicit bids for a new roof for the Airport Breakfast Hangar.

In other business, the council approved an ordinance on first reading to approve a rezoning request from Premiere Development for 22.37 acres on Frank Martin Road from R-1 [low density residential] to PUD [Planned Unit Development] called Carlton Way Farms.

The council also approved on first reading the annexation of approximately eight acres on Jennings Road just north of Garden Gate subdivision, owned by Ryan Richardson.

However the council voted down an ordinance to annex 50 feet of right of way to Naron Road off U.S. 231 South for Stones Throw Subdivision. The vote was 5-1 against with Robert Frazier voting for the measure.

Approved on second reading was an ordinance to rezone property at 116 and 118 Shapard St. from R-1 [Low Density Residential] to R-3 [Medium Density Residential].