Title
Resolution to Pledge and Take Actions in Support of Net Neutrality
Memorandum
Over the past two decades, the City of Ann Arbor has increased greatly its use of the internet to the point where the ability to provide and access information, and to conduct business with the City online, has become a necessity for many residents and others. The City uses the internet to provide and receive information, for payments, to provide notices of City events and City actions, and for access to City services ranging from job applications to applications for permits.
The City has relied on the internet as an open medium with the understanding and assurance that internet service providers will deliver a resident's or other person's request for City content just as they would deliver such a request for any other content.
The Federal Communications Commission's recent repeal by its Restoring Internet Freedom Order of its prior Open Internet Order, or "net neutrality" order, violates that principle. The City is committed to not allowing internet service providers (ISPs) to be gatekeepers between our residents and City information and services on which they depend every day, and to providing information regarding ISPs that adhere to open internet principles.
A group of municipalities, through their mayors or board chair, pledged to use their authority, to the extent possible, to protect net neutrality. The group includes Bill de Blasio (New York City), Ted Wheeler (Portland, Oregon), Steve Adler (Austin), Mark Farrell (San Francisco), Jacob Frey (Minneapolis), Sly James (Kansas City, Missouri), Sam Liccardo (San Jos?), Ron Nirenberg (San Antonio), Catherine Pugh (Baltimore), Barney Seney (Putnam, Connecticut), and Paul Soglin (Madison, Wisconsin), and Chair Zach Friend (Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors). At least 50 other municipalities have joined the pledge since it was initiated. A copy of the Cities Open Internet Pledge, available at www.MayorsForNetNeutrlity....
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