The authority, in addition to functions provided elsewhere in this chapter, shall have the following functions and powers, the expenses of which are to be paid for, as far as possible, from the revenue obtained under § 91.026:
(A) Advise the Common Council on revision of the franchise agreement.
(B) Advise the Common Council on matters which might constitute grounds for revocation of the franchise in accordance with this chapter and the franchise agreement.
(C) Resolve disagreements among franchisee and public and private users of the system; such decisions of the authority shall be appealable to the Common Council.
(D) Advise the Common Council on regulation of rates in accordance with this chapter.
(E) Coordinate the franchisee's consulting service to facilitate government, educational, community groups, and individual use of the public channels.
(F) Determine general policies relating to the services provided subscribers in the operation and use of the access channels, with the view of maximizing the diversity of programs and services to subscribers. The use of access channels shall be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis, subject to limitations on monopolization of system time or prime times.
(G) Encourage use of access channels along the widest range of institutions, groups, or individuals within the city.
(H) Submit an annual report to the Common Council, including, but not limited to, the total number of hours of utilization of access channels, a review of any plans submitted during the year by franchisee for the development of new services and hourly subtotals for various programming categories. The annual report shall also include relevant information concerning educational uses; public access for local programming under public control; local government access; pay TV, and channel leasing.
(I) Cooperate with other systems in overseeing interconnection of systems.
(J) Maintain a knowledge of current developments in the cable communications by subscribing to trade publications and attending cable communications seminars and meetings.
(K) Submit a budget request to the Common Council to cover the expenses incurred in respect of performance of functions provided by this chapter. This request may include funds to be used for the development of the use of access channels, including production grants to users and the purchase and maintenance of equipment not required to be provided by franchisee, and funds to be used as per diem expenses and such salaries for the member as may be permitted and prescribed from time to time by separate ordinance.
(L) Audit all franchise records required by this chapter and, in the authority's discretion, request the preparation and filing of information additional to that required herein.
(M) Conduct a detailed evaluation of the system at least every three years.
(N) Employ, as necessary, services of a technical, accounting, legal, and administrative nature.
(O) Act on behalf or as the designee of the Common Council for purposes of proposing regulations and arbitration procedures as deemed necessary by the Common Council or to provide any other services to the Commmon Council that may be reasonably required by the Common Council under the authority of this chapter.
(Ord. 2-1976, passed 8-2-76; Am. Ord. 3-1993, passed 4-19-93)