HomeMy Public PortalAboutResolution 95-34691
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RESOLUTION NO. 95 -3469
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TEMPLE
CITY URGING THE CALIFORNIA PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
TO REJECT THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS INDUSTRY'S
PROPOSALS TO INTRODUCE A NEW 626 AREA CODE IN THE SAN
GABRIEL VALLEY
WHEREAS, the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments has opposed the telecommunications
industry's 626 area code overlay and geographic split proposals that would introduce a new 626 area code
in the San Gabriel Valley; and
WHEREAS, there is to date no reasonable explanation provided by the telecommunications
industry as to why the San Gabriel Valley was selected for the new 626 area code other than the cellular
and paging industries do not wish to incur expenses associated with a "tandem switch" should the San
Fernando Valley's area code be changed; and
WHEREAS, the replacement of the 818 area code has a significant cultural impact on Southern
California's largest concentration of Asian businesses who associate the number 8 with good fortune,
happiness and prosperity; and
WHEREAS, the new area code 626 proposal could by some estimates cost the business community
in the San Gabriel Valley in excess of over $40 million; and
WHEREAS, the health community has suffered great fmancial hardships over the last few years;
and it is anticipated that due to a larger number of health care facilities being located in the San Gabriel
Valley that the area code 626 split will have a detrimental impact to their fragile budgets and
communication links with health care professionals; and
WHEREAS, employment figures supplied by Southern California Association of Governments
(SCAG) indicate that more businesses in the San Gabriel Valley will incur costs associated with the
changing of area codes than would San Fernando Valley businesses; and
WHEREAS, the San Gabriel Valley employment and household growth rates exceed San
Fernando Valley growth rates according to figures provided by Southern California Association of
Governments (SCAG); and therefore, an area code life expectancy is shorter in the San Gabriel Valley than
in the San Fernando Valley; and
WHEREAS, the 626 area code geographic split proposal will pose an inconvenience to over
400,000 San Gabriel Valley household; and
WHEREAS, a large number of residents and businesses have expressed their opposition to the
overlay and geographic split proposals at several public meetings held throughout Southern California; and
WHEREAS, the 626 overlay plan is not a viable area code relief alternative for the following
reasons: residents and businesses would have to dial eleven digits for every call; and two or more area
codes would be situated in the same geographic region, causing unnecessary confusion.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TEMPLE CITY DOES HEREBY
RESOLVE, DECLARE, AND DETERMINE AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The City Council opposes the telecommunications industry's proposals to introduce
a new 626 area code in the San Gabriel Valley by either a geographic split or an overlay proposal.
Resolution No. 95 -3469
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SECTION 2. The City Council urges the California Public Utilities Commission to reject the 626
area code proposal presented by the telecommunications industry and allow the San Gabriel Valley to
maintain its current 818 area code.
SECTION 3. The City Council formally requests that the California Public Utilities Commission
reconsider its intent to implement the new 626 area code in the San Gabriel Valley. Implementing the
626 area code in the San Fernando Valley would maximize the life expectancy of the area code from the
expected 5 -7 years to over 10 years and have the least financial impact on the business community in
Southern California.
SECTION 4. Should a new 626 area code be put into service in the San Gabriel Valley, the City
Council urges the State of California or the telecommunications industry to compensate customers
impacted by the new area code.
SECTION 5. The Mayor shall execute this Resolution and the City Clerk shall forward a copy
to members of the Area Code Relief Coalition (California Cable Television Association, MCI, Sprint, and
etc.), Pacific Bell, GTE Telephone Operations, and the California Public Utilities Commission.
SECTION 6. The City Council shall authorize the City Manager to file a formal complaint with
the California. Public Utilities Commission against the Area Code Relief Committee's recommendation to
introduce a new 626 area code in the San Gabriel Valley.
SECTION 7. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this resolution.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED on this 5th day of December, 1995.
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Mayor Gi
ATTEST:
I, hereby certify that the foregoing resolution, Resolution No. 95 -3469 was duly adopted by the City
Council of the City of Temple City at a regular meeting held on the 5th day of December 1995 by the
following vote:
AYES: Councilman - Budds, Gillanders, Souder, Wilson, Breazeal
NOES: Councilman -None
ABSENT: Councilman-None
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