(A) The City of Monroe finds that the development of cable television systems has the potential of having great benefit and impact upon the people of Monroe. Because of the complex and rapidly changing technology associated with cable television, the City further finds that the public convenience, safety and general welfare can best be served by establishing regulatory powers which should be vested in the City or such persons as the City shall designate. It is the intent of this Ordinance and subsequent amendments to provide for and specify the means to attain the best possible public interest and public purpose in these matters and any Franchise issued pursuant to this Ordinance shall be deemed to include this finding as an integral part thereof.
(B) Further, it is recognized that cable television systems have the capacity to provide not only entertainment and information services to the City's residents, but can provide a variety of broadband, interactive communications services to institutions and individuals. Many of these services involve City agencies and other public institutions, by providing governmental, educational or health care communications.
(C) For these purposes, the following goals underlie the regulations contained herein:
(1) Cable television services should be provided to the maximum number of City residents.
(2) The system should be capable of accommodating both the present and reasonably foreseeable cable related community needs and interests, taking into account technical and financial feasibility.
(3) The system should be improved and upgraded during the Franchise term so that the new facilities necessary for the operation of this system shall be integrated to the maximum extent possible with existing facilities as provided for in this Ordinance and the Franchise.
(4) The cable television system authorized by this Ordinance shall be responsive to the needs and interests of the local community, and shall provide the widest possible diversity of information sources and services to the public taking into account technical and financial feasibility.
(Ord. O-1997-53, passed 12-10-97)