Request from Councilor Silbiger and John Gaffey for council to use authority to put the following on the upcoming ballot to allow the citizens of Ashland to vote on it.

Charter Amendment Prohibiting City Ownership, Operation of Telecommunications, Cable Television.

The citizens of Ashland desire that the following language shall be included in the Charter of the City of Ashland, Oregon.

Article XVI-Miscellaneous Provisions

Section 2. Telecommunications, broadband, and television--The City of Ashland, a municipal corporation, is prohibited from owning, operating, or selling any or all applications or services for telecommunications, broadband, or television for purposes other than those that are expressly related to the proper daily governance of the city; the collection and distribution of city information to the citizens; or public transportation,  health, safety, or protection of its citizens. 

Explanation: If the proposed language is added to the charter, Ashland would be prohibited from owning or operating telecommunications technology for any purpose including providing cable television or broadband internet, other than those related to the governance of the City.  This would prevent Ashland from using its currently owned fiber optic infrastructure to provide any telecommunications, cable television or broadband internet services for purposes other than local governance.  To the extent that Ashland currently provides these services for other than local governance purposes, it would be required to discontinue or divest itself of those.