Item 4NCITY OF
S0UTHLA1<,.,E
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
M E M O R A N D U M
April 21, 2008
TO: Shana Yelverton, City Manager
FROM: Wade G. Goolsby, DPS - Chief of Police Services
SUBJECT: Resolution No. 08-014, Adopt a Resolution to Support CP80 and
Federal Adoption of the Internet Community Ports Act
Action
Requested: Consider adopting Resolution 08-014 to show support for federal
legislation that would allow families and businesses to choose what
types of Internet content come into their homes and businesses
through the Internet Community Ports Act.
Background: The Internet has developed without any meaningful governmental or
legal controls. The result is that the adult entertainment industry has
been able to market its materials through the internet without any
meaningful restriction. Technically speaking, all internet content is
routed through a single data port (identified as http; and known as Port
80). A group called the CP80 Foundation has introduced legislation
that would create a second port for internet data that would allow
internet access without adult content. Currently, the only means of
trying to control the content of the internet is through filtering software
or sign -on restrictions. The youth of today are typically more
technically savvy than their parents and they are usually capable of
circumventing the standard restrictions. Even if the individuals are not
trying to circumvent the restrictions, the filtering software and sign -on
definitions are only partially successful in filtering adult content material
and pornography.
The problem of adult material and pornography has invaded both
private homes and businesses. The easy availability of pornography
and the pervasive marketing has become a "porndemic". We have
legislation restricting alcohol, tobacco, and firearms from children. We
have legislation restricting the location of adult businesses and
restricted access to adult material in stores and businesses, but there
is no legislation regarding the Internet and controlling material that is
harmful to our children.
In its efforts to protect the children of this community, the SPARK
group (Students and Parents Against Risks to our Kids) has
discovered the magnitude of the porndemic and the risks that it poses
to our children.
Currently, there is an effort to introduce federal legislation that would
allow families and businesses to restrict adult materials through
technology. This legislation is not intended to restrict freedom of
speech or restrict legal material for adults. The legislation, known as
the Internet Community Port Act would create an additional data port
for internet data so that families and businesses could chose between
an unrestricted internet (as it is today) or have an internet without adult
content. For more information, please review the website,
www.cp80.org
The City of Southlake is committed to family values and protecting the
right of its citizens to control what materials enter their homes and
other private property.
The SPARK group has asked for support from the City Council for this
important federal legislation.
Financial
Considerations: None
Financial
Impact: None
Citizen Input/
Board Review: SPARK Committee
Legal Review: None.
Alternatives: The City Council could choose not to adopt the proposed resolution.
The City Council could amend and adopt an amended version of the
proposed resolution.
The City Council could reject the proposed resolution.
Supporting
Documents: Supporting documents include:
• Resolution 08-014
Staff
Recommendation: Adopt Resolution 08-014 to support CP80 and the Federal Adoption of
the Internet Community Ports Act.
RESOLUTION NO. 08-014
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF SOUTHLAKE TO SUPPORT FEDERAL ADOPTION OF THE
INTERNET COMMUNITY PORTS ACT.
WHEREAS, the Mayor and City Council recognize the Internet as an important and popular
means of exchanging information and is relied upon for business, education, recreation, and
other uses;
WHEREAS, the community committee known as SPARK (Students and Parents Against Risks
to our Kids) has become aware of the risks to our families and businesses posed by unwanted
pornography through the internet;
WHEREAS, many Internet sites contain material that is pornographic, either obscene or
inappropriate for children, and represent a threat to the values and family structure of this
community;
WHEREAS, the availability of Internet pornography on the job costs employers significant
numbers of work hours, strains employee relations, reduces productivity, and leads to potentially
hostile work environments;
WHEREAS, while the custody, care, and nurturing of children resides primarily with the parent,
the widespread availability and ability for children to circumvent current filtering technology
defeats the best attempts at Internet parental control;
WHEREAS, prior attempts by Congress to control children's access to Internet pornography
have not been based on technology that allows individual Internet users to select what kind of
Internet content enters their homes and work spaces;
WHEREAS, protecting the right of Southlake citizens to control what materials enter their
homes and other private property is a compelling interest of the City of Southlake:
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SOUTHLAKE, THAT:
Section 1: The City of Southlake hereby strongly urges the United States Congress to take
action to stop children and employees from accessing Internet pornography.
Section 2: The City of Southlake further urges the United States Congress to seriously
consider enacting legislation to facilitate a technology based solution that allows parents and
employers to subscribe to Internet access services that exclude adult content.
Section 3: A copy of this resolution be sent to the Majority Leader of the United States
Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, the President of the United
States, and members of the Texas congressional delegation.
PASSED AND APPROVED THIS THE DAY OF , 2008.
Andy Wambsganss, Mayor
ATTEST:
Lori Farwell, City Secretary