The purpose of this chapter is to:
(A) Establish a local policy concerning cable television;
(B) Establish franchise procedures and standards which encourage the growth and development of cable systems which assure that cable systems are responsive to the needs and interests of the city;
(C) Establish guidelines for the exercise of local authority with respect to the regulation of cable systems;
(D) Establish an orderly process for franchise renewal which protects cable operators against unfair denials of renewal where an operator’s past performance and proposal for future performance meet or exceed the standards set by federal law and this chapter;
(E) Promote competition in cable communications and minimize unnecessary regulations that would impose undue burdens on cable systems;
(F) Create a set of regulations, standards and procedures for cable operators;
(G) Create a comprehensive customer service and consumer protection policy for cable operators;
(H) Provide for access and inspection of a cable operator’s books and records in order to monitor compliance with local, state and federal laws and any franchise agreement;
(I) Provide a thorough construction and installation policy for a cable operator’s system;
(J) Provide for the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of the city in light of the cable operator’s construction, operation and maintenance;
(K) Provide for emergency override capability, so that citizens of the city may be warned of a potential, imminent, actual disaster or emergency situation that exists in the area;
(L) Create a thorough procedure for collecting and monitoring franchise fees;
(M) Create a thorough default and revocation procedure for franchised operators; and
(N) Create a performance review procedure in order to assist the city in its periodic evaluation of a franchised operator’s performance.
(Prior Code, § 110.060) (Ord. 13-08, passed 6-3-2013)