(a) Members. There is hereby established a Cable Television Advisory Commission of the City of Pepper Pike, which shall consist of five members appointed by the Mayor, subject to confirmation by the City Council, for terms of four years. The initial terms shall be as follows: one member for a term of one year; one member for a term of two years; one member for a term of three years; and two members for terms of four years. All subsequent appointments shall be for terms of four years. All members of the Commission shall be residents of the City of Pepper Pike. The Commission shall have a Secretary designated by the Mayor. A member of the City Law Department shall be in attendance at Commission meetings when determined to be necessary by the Mayor.
(b) Duties and Responsibilities. The Cable Television Advisory Commission shall have the following duties and responsibilities:
(1) To hear complaints of subscribers regarding alleged violation of the Customer Service Standards set forth in this chapter. The Cable Television Advisory 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 such hearing, the Commission shall make findings and conclusions and issue an order and/or assess a penalty if appropriate as provided in Section 812.04(g). All formal decisions of the Commission shall be deemed final.
(2) The Cable Television Advisory Commission shall have responsibility for reviewing requests for the establishment of all cable television rates and rate changes and making recommendations for approval or disapproval to City 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 Mayor. The provider shall reimburse the City for the cost of any outside professional assistance in reviewing rate changes as set forth in Section 812.05. After review of a rate request, the Commission shall make a recommendation to City Council for approval or disapproval. No cable television rate shall be deemed approved or disapproved until approved or disapproved by City Council.
(3) The Cable Television Advisory Commission shall have responsibility for general oversight of the Public Access Channel. In performing its responsibilities with respect to general oversight, it shall hear complaints from the general public and users of the Public Access Channel and shall attempt to informally resolve complaints with the provider. In the event it is unable to informally resolve complaints or in the event it discovers violations of the rules governing the Public Access Channel through its own investigation or as a result of a complaint, it shall make findings and recommendations to the Mayor with copies to the Law Director, the Clerk of Council and the provider.
(c) Meetings. The Cable Television Advisory 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.
(d) Jurisdiction. The Cable Television Advisory Commission shall not have jurisdiction over any aspect of the Municipal Channel or the Education Channel.
(Ord. 1997-45. Passed 12-17-97.)