(A) Public notice. Minimum public notice of any public meeting relating to this Ordinance or the Franchise shall be by publication at least in a newspaper of general circulation in the area at least seven (7) days prior to the meeting, and by posting at City Hall.
(B) Captions. The captions to sections throughout this Ordinance are intended solely to facilitate reading and reference to the sections and provisions of this Ordinance. Such captions shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of this Ordinance.
(C) Franchise applications.
(1) Invitation of any applications for a franchise, public notice of “request for proposals.” The City may invite applications for an initial cable television Franchise other than a renewal or extension by means of a public notice advertising the availability of its “Request for Proposals.”
(a) The public notice shall contain, but need not be limited to:
1. A description of the Franchise area which is sought.
2. A statement that a formal “Request for Proposals” is available to prospective applicants from a City official whose name, address, and telephone number are specified.
3. A statement that applications for the Franchise must be submitted in writing in the form and manner specified in the “Request for Proposals” no later than a day certain.
4. A statement that all applications will be made available for public inspection during normal business hours at a specified location.
(2) Request for proposals. Prior to inviting any applications for any initial cable television Franchise other than a renewal or extension, the City shall prepare a “Request for Proposals” that shall contain, but need not be limited to, the following:
(a) A description of the cable television system and services desired by the City including any system specifications established by the City.
(b) A statement specifying the form that all applications shall follow.
(c) A statement indicating the amount of the application fee (if any) to be submitted with the application and the manner in which such fee is to be submitted.
(d) A statement that all applications must contain the information required by the “Request for Proposal.”
(e) The closing date for the submission of applications.
(f) The name, address, and telephone number of the City official(s) who may be contacted further information.
(3) Franchise application. Any applicant for an initial Franchise shall complete the City's Request for Proposal and provide the information required therein.
(4) Requirement for public hearing on reasonable notice. The City shall conduct a public hearing prior to awarding any cable television Franchise. The hearing shall be preceded by reasonable notice to each of the Franchise applicants and to the public and shall be conducted by the City Council in accordance with the following procedures:
(a) There shall be an agenda for the hearing which shall specify the proposal(s) to be considered at the hearing.
(b) Every person who has applied for a cable television Franchise shall appear at the hearing either in person or by authorized representative. The application of any applicant not so appearing shall not be further considered, except for good cause shown.
(c) All persons shall be given opportunity to participate in the hearing, but nothing contained herein shall limit the power of the presiding officer to establish reasonable time limits and otherwise limit repetitive statements or questions.
(d) The notice of hearing shall:
1. Conform to all relevant State and local laws and Ordinances.
2. Describe the agenda to be considered at the public hearing.
3. Indicate that copies of all Franchise applications are available for public inspection during normal business hours at a place to be specified in the notice.
(5) City discretion. The City, at its discretion, may reject any application for an initial Franchise.
(6) Franchise renewal. Franchise renewal applications and procedures shall be in accordance with local, state, and federal regulations.
(Ord. O-1997-53, passed 12-10-97)