Title
Calling on the United States Senate to oppose Senate Bill 3157 known as the "STREAMLINE Small Cell Deployment Act," which would considerably limit local control of the public right-of-way and municipal infrastructure; and further reaffirming the authority of local government to regulate the public right-of-way.
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WHERAS, The City has been responsible for management of the public rights-of-way ("ROW") since Philadelphia was founded over 325 years ago; and
WHEREAS, This Council has always shown leadership and willingness to work towards the development of "5G Wireless" and other new technologies to secure the high-quality services to be available to the constituents of the City; and
WHEREAS, This Council's commitment is further demonstrated by Bill No. 171012, which was signed by Mayor Kenney on December 14, 2017, which provided authority to the Streets Department to Promulgate Regulations and establish the process by which small cell wireless providers can apply for permits to access the public ROW for the development of crucial new technology; and
WHEREAS, The Streets Department has enacted the regulations in April of this year and has since taken in over 1,250 applications for the placement of small cell wireless facilities. Most wireless providers have expressed strong appreciation for the level of service they have enjoyed, and none have identified any persistent impediments to conducting their business; and
WHEREAS, Adoption of the legislative proposal would take decisions about the safety and aesthetics of municipal ROW and public properties out of the hands of local officials who answer directly to residents; and
WHEREAS, The Office of the Managing Director submitted the concerns of the Mayor's Administration to the PA House Committee on Consumer Affairs summarizing these positions and more; and
WHEREAS, This Council joins in strongly opposing the S. 3157 and urges the members of the United States Senate to stop this ...
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