(a) The town shall have the following regulatory responsibility:
(1) Administration and enforcement of the provisions of this chapter and any franchise granted hereunder.
(2) Award, renewal, extension or termination of a franchise pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, the franchise, and other applicable law.
(3) Consent prior to sale or transfer of any franchise granted hereunder.
(4) Performance evaluation.
(b) The town also reserves the right to perform the following functions:
(1) Develop objectives and coordinate activities related to the operation of government channels.
(2) Approve procedures and standards for public, government and educational access operations and services, including the use of dedicated channels and sharing of public facilities.
(3) Review and make recommendations on plans for expansion, interconnection and growth of cable services.
(4) Review and make recommendations on the possibility of integrating cable systems with other town, state or regional telecommunications networks.
(5) Formulate and recommend long-range telecommunications policy for the town, and determine the future cable-related needs and interests of the community.
(6) Provide the administrative effort necessary for the conduct of performance evaluations, and any other activities required for the administration of this chapter or the franchise.
(7) Monitor grantee's process for handling citizen complaints and periodically inspect and analyze the records related to such complaints.
(8) Receive applications for rate increases if applicable and provide staff assistance in the analysis and recommendations thereto.
(9) Monitor grantee's adherence to operational standards, service requirements and line extension policies.
(10) Assure compliance with applicable laws and ordinances.
(11) Arrange tests and analysis of equipment and performance, as needed to insure compliance with this chapter and the franchise.
(12) Assure continuity in service.
(13) Receive for examination all data and reports required by this chapter.
(c) There may be established a citizen's advisory commission entitled the cable television advisory commission, which shall consist of between three and seven members representing the population characteristics of the residents of the town. Members may be appointed by the town council for terms up to three years. No person shall be appointed as a member of the commission for more than two consecutive terms. The commission shall adopt bylaws governing its procedures and actions on matters coming before it.
(d) The responsibilities of the cable television advisory commission may, as set by the town, include but not be limited to the following:
(1) Monitor and advise the town council and town administration on the provisions of the town's cable television services ordinance and related ordinances.
(2) Prepare an annual report to the council.
(3) Cooperate with the town and the grantee in fulfilling its responsibilities herein.
(Ord. No. 04-009, § 6-27, 8-26-2004)