(a) There is hereby created a Cable Television Commission of the City which shall consist of three members; two members shall be members of the Newton Falls City Council and the third member shall be the City Manager. City Council shall appoint the two Council members to the Commission at the same time they designate other committee appointments in January of each year. The Commission shall have a secretary designated by its membership.
(Ord. 2002-43. Passed 1-6-03.)
(b) The Commission shall have the following duties and responsibilities:
(1) The hearing of complaints of subscribers made in writing to the Commission regarding alleged violation of the customer service standards set forth in this chapter. The Commission shall endeavor to informally resolve all such complaints. In the event any complaint is unable to be informally resolved, a hearing shall be held by the Commission on the complaint with at least ten days’ written notice to the provider and the complainant. After hearing, the Commission shall make findings and conclusions and issue an order and/or assess a penalty, if appropriate. All normal decisions of the Commission regarding customer service shall be subject to review by Council which may act to affirm, overrule or modify the decision of the Commission or any aspect of the decision within thirty days of announcement of the decision. In the event Council takes no action within such thirty day period, the decision of the Commission shall be deemed final.
(2) The Commission shall have responsibility for reviewing requests for the establishment of all cable rates and rate changes and making recommendations for approval or disapproval to Council. In reviewing requests by a provider for initial rates or for rate changes, the Commission may utilize City staff and/or outside professional assistance at the direction of the City Manger. The provider shall reimburse the City for the cost of any outside professional assistance in reviewing rate changes to the extent permitted by law. After review of a rate request, the Commission shall make a recommendation to Council for approval or disapproval. No cable television rate shall be deemed approved or disapproved until approved or disapproved by Council. The Commission shall hold a public hearing on all requests for rate changes.
(c) The Commission shall establish a schedule of regular meetings and shall meet at such regularly scheduled meetings at least four times per year. The Commission may hold special meetings to review particular complaints or rate change requests or other matters. Notice of special meetings shall comply with the City’s general notice requirements for special meetings of its boards and commissions and shall include written notice to all providers. The Commission, with the assistance of the Law Department, may establish its own rules to govern the conduct of its meetings. (Ord. 95-05. Passed 2-20-95.)