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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1983-01 Federal Antitrust Lawsuitss r.. ~~ ~ ~~ -~u,~; -; ~: RESOLUTXON #1 .~ Series of 1983) WHEREAS, the exposure of mu~licipalities iYi Colorado and throughout the country to federal. antit~~~..~st lawsuits has been greatly expanded as a result of recent decisions of the United States Supreme Court; WH.~REAS, the potential for trebl<~ damabe awards and the substantial expense of defending antitrust litigation, even if successful, may inhibit municil,ali~i•~s from enacting or enforcing regulations which are intended to protect ::he public health, safety and welfare, but which also may be deemed to restrict competition; WHEREAS, at least four Colorado municipalities already have been sued under the federal antitrust laws for various regulatory activities, with claimed damages, when trebled, exceeding $100 million; WHEREAS, the cost to the taxpayers of one Colorado municipality in defending one of these lawsuits, which was settled priox to trial, exceeded $250,000; WHEREAS, municipalities differ from private enterprise in that private enterprise is not charged with protecting the public health, safety and welfare; TTiEREAS, numerous protections from municipal regulations, other than treble damages under the federal antitrust laws, are available such as, public notice, public hearing, public meeting and public record requirements, court review of actions, periodic elections and the rights of initiated referendum and recall, and the continuing authority of the state General Assembly or the people of Colorado to modify the statutory and constitutional authority of Colorado's municipalities; WHEREAS, state legislation does not provide any certain solution to the problem and years of litigation will be necessary to decide whether any state legislation meets the test established by the U.S. Supreme Court for local government antitrust immunity; WHEREAS, federal legislation can address the problem directly by seeking a specific exemption fromthe federal antitrust laws for local governments and all or some of their activities; WHEREAS, federal Legislation could eliminate damages from the antitrust remedies available against local governments and their taxpayers; and WHEREAS, local governments should not be imperiled when engaging in traditional local government regulatory activities such zoning, enacting and enforcing building and fire codes, regulating the use of public rights-of-way, licensing, franchising and the myriad of other regulatory activities traditionally engaged in by local governments; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE TOWN OF VATL, VAIL, COLORADO, that the Congress of the United States should act as quickly as possible t.o provide appropriate exemptions for municipalities from federal antitrust liability. DATED this 4th day of January, 1.983. Rodney E. ~Iifer, ayor ATTEST: Col e 1' e,`Town Clerk