(A) The franchise authority may delegate the enforcement of these customer service standards to a cable officer or cable commission established or designated by the legislative authority of the franchise authority.
(B) The duties and responsibilities of the cable officer or cable commission shall be:
(1) (a) The hearing of complaints of subscribers made in writing to the franchise authority regarding alleged violation(s) of the customer service requirements;
(b) All reasonable efforts shall be made to resolve any complaint through informal methods;
(c) In the event any complaint can not be informally resolved, a hearing shall be held with at least ten days written notice to the franchisee and the complainant;
(d) After the hearing findings and conclusions shall be made and orders may be issued and/or penalties may be assessed, if appropriate;
(e) All formal decisions regarding complaints shall be subject to referral to the legislative authority of the franchise authority which may act to affirm, overrule or modify the decision or any aspect of the decision within 30 calendar days of the issuance of the decision; and
(f) Should the legislative authority not take an action on any decision referred to it, the decision shall stand as issued.
(2) (a) As required or permitted under applicable federal or state law, rule or regulations, review of requests for the establishment of or changes to rates, fees and charges for basic service, equipment and installation and recommendations for rates, fees and charges shall be presented to the franchise authority for approval or disapproval.
(b) In completing the review(s), the staff of the franchise authority and/or qualified outside professional assistance may be utilized as appropriate and authorized by the franchise authority.
(c) Except as required or permitted under applicable federal or state law, rule or regulations, no change in rates, fees or charges for basic service, equipment or installation shall be deemed approved or disapproved until after a hearing by the franchise authority and appropriate action has been taken by the legislative authority of the franchise authority.
(3) (a) Establish a schedule of regular meetings to be held at least twice per year and hold special meetings as may be reasonable and appropriate.
(b) All meetings shall conform with the rules and laws related to public notification and open meetings as set forth in applicable local, state or federal codes.
(Res. 98-86, passed 11-16-1998)