The City of Purcell, Oklahoma, having determined that the financial, legal, and technical ability of Classic Cable of Oklahoma, Inc., d/b/a Suddenlink Communications, is reasonably sufficient to provide services, facilities and equipment necessary to meet thefuture cable-related needs of the community, does hereby ordain as follows:
Article 1. Definitions of Terms.
For the purpose of this ordinance (the "ordinance"), the following teams, phrases, words and abbreviations shall have the meanings ascribed to them below. When not inconsistent with the context, words used in the present tense include the future tense, words in the plural number include the singular number, and words in the singular number include the plural number.
"Affiliate" means as entity which owns or controls, is owned or controlled by, or is under common ownership or control with Grantee.
"Basic Cable" means the tier of cable service regularly provided to all subscribers that includes the retransmission of local broadcast television signals.
"Cable service" means (i) the one-way transmission to subscribers of video programming or other programming service, and (ii) subscriber interaction, if any, which is required for the selection or use of such video programming or other programming service.
"Cable system" means a facility, consistent of a set of closed transmission paths and associated signal generation, reception, and control equipment or other equipment that is designed to provide cable service or other service to subscriber.
"FCC" means Federal Communications Commission or successor government entity thereto.
"Franchise" means the initial authorization or renewal thereof, issued by franchising authority, whether such authorization is designated as a franchise, permit, license, resolution, contract, certificate, or otherwise, which authorizes construction and operation of the cable system for the purpose of offering cable service or other service to subscribers.
"Franchising authority" means the City of Purcell, Oklahoma or the lawful successor, transferee, or assignee thereof,
"Grantee" means Classic Cable of Oklahoma, Inc., d/b/a Suddenlink Communications, or the lawful successor, transferee, or assignee thereof.
"Gross revenues" means the monthly revenues for the provision of cable service received by grantee from subscribers located within the service area. "Gross revenues" does not include" (i) any revenues received from any advertising carried on the cable system; (ii) any taxes or fees on cable service which are imposed directly or indirectly on any subscriber by any governmental unit or agency, and which are collected by grantee on behalf of such governmental unit or agency; (iii) any revenues derived from services sold on a per channel or per view basis; or (iv) any revenues derived from installation or repair charges,
"Person" means an individual, partnership, association, joint stock company, trust corporation, or governmental entity.
"Public way" means the surface of, and the space above and below, any public street, highway, freeway, bridge, land path, alley, court, boulevard, sidewalk, parkway, way, lane, public way, drive, circle, or other public rights-of-way; including, but not limited to public utility easements, dedicated utility strips, or rights-of-way dedicated for compatible uses and any temporary or permanent fixture or improvements located thereon now or hereafter held by franchising authority in the service area which shall entitle franchising authority and grantee to the use thereof for the purpose of public travel, or for utility or public service use dedicated for compatible uses, and shall include other easements or rights-of-way as shall within their proper use thereof be used for the purposes of installing or transmitting grantee's cable service or other service over poles, wires, cables, conductors, ducts, conduits, vaults, manholes, pedestals, amplifiers, appliances, attachments, and other related property or equipment as may be necessary or appurtenant to the cable system.
"Service area" means the present municipal boundaries of franchising authority if franchising authority is a City, and shall include any additions thereto by annexation or other legal means; and means the county boundaries of franchising authority if franchising authority is a county.
"Subscriber" means a user of the cable system who lawfully receives cable service or other there from with grantee's express permission.
"Video programming" means programming provided by, or generally considered comparable to programming provided by, a television broadcast station.
Article 2. Grant of Franchise.
A. Grant. Franchising authority hereby grants to grantee a nonexclusive franchise which authorizes grantee to construct and operate a cable system and offer cable service and other service in, along, among, upon, across, above, over, under, or in any manner connected with public ways within the service area, and, for that purpose, to erect, install, construct, repair, replace, reconstruct, maintain, or retain in, on, over, under, upon, across, or along any public way and all extensions thereof and additions thereto, such poles, wires, cables, conductors, ducts, conditions, vaults, manholes, pedestals, amplifiers, appliances, attachments, and other related property or equipment as may be necessary or appurtenant to the cable system.
B. Term. The Franchise granted pursuant to this ordinance shall be for an initial term of fifteen (15) years from the passed and adopted date of the franchise unless otherwiselawfully terminated in accordance withthe terms of this ordinance.
C. Acceptance. Grantee shall accept the franchise granted pursuant hereto by signing this ordinance and filing same with the City Clerk orother appropriate official or agency of franchising authority within sixty (60) days after the passage and final adoption of this ordinance,
D. Favored nations. In the event franchising authority enters into a franchise, permit, license, authorization, or other agreement of any kind with any person other than grantee to enter into franchising authority's streets and public ways for the purpose of constructing or operating a cable system or providing cable service to any part of the service area, the material provisions thereof shall be reasonably comparable to those contained herein, in order thatone operator not be granted an unfair competitive advantage over another, and to provide all parties equal protection under the law.
E. Renewal of franchise. By mutual consent, the grantee shall have the option to renew this franchise for an additional period not to exceed ten (10) years. Should grantee desire to exercise this option, it shall so notify the franchising authority in writing, not less than three (3) months prior to expiration of this franchise.
Article 3. Standards of Service.
A. Conditions of street occupancy. All transmission and distribution structures, pole, other lines, and equipment installed or erected by grantee pursuant to the terms hereof shall be located so as to cause a minimum of interference with the proper use of public ways and with the rights and reasonable convenience of property owners who own property that adjoins any of such public ways.
B. Restoration of public ways. If during the course of grantee's construction, operation, or maintenance of the cable system there occurs a disturbance of any public way by grantee, it shall, at its expense, replace and restore such public way to a condition reasonably comparable to the condition of the public way existing immediately prior to such disturbance.
C. Relocation at request of franchising authority. Upon its receipt of reasonable advance notice, not to be less than thirty (30) days, grantee shall, at its own expense, protect, support, temporarily disconnect, relocate in the public way, or remove from the public way, any property of grantee when lawfully required by franchising authority by reason of traffic conditions, public safety, street abandonment, freeway and street construction, change or establishment of street grade, installation of sewers, drains, or water pipes, or any other type of structures or improvement by franchising authority; but, grantee shall in all cases have the right of abandonment of its property. If public funds are available to any company using such street, easement, or right of way for the purpose of defraying the cost of any of the foregoing, such funds shall also be made available to grantee.
D. Relocation at request of third party. Grantee shall, on the request of any person holding a building moving permit issued by franchising authority, temporarily raise or lower its wires to permit the moving of such building, provided: (i) the expense of such temporary raising or lowing of wires is paid by such person, including, if required by grantee, making such payment in advance; and (ii) grantee is given not fewer than then ten (10) business days advance written, notice to arrange for such temporary wire changes.
E. Trimming of trees and shrubbery. Grantee shall have the authority to trim trees or other natural growth overhanging any of its cable system in the service area so as to prevent branches from coming in contact with grantee's wires, cables, or other equipment. Grantee shall be permitted to charge persons who own, or are responsible for, such trees or natural growth for the cost of such trimming, provided that similar charges are assessed, by and paid to the utilities of franchising authority for tree trimming. Grantee shall reasonably compensate franchising authority or property owner for any damages caused by such trimming, or shall, in its sole discretion and at its own cost and expense, reasonably replace all trees or shrubs damaged as a result of any construction of the system undertaken by Grantee. Such replacement shall satisfy any and all obligations grantee may have to franchising authority or property owner pursuant to the terms of this section.
F. Safety requirements. Construction, installation, and maintenance of the cable system shall be performed in an orderly and workmanlike manner. All such work shall be performed in substantial accordance with applicable FCC or other federal, state, and local regulations. The cable system shall not unreasonably endanger or interfere with the safety of persons or property in the service area.
G. Aerial and underground construction. In those areas of the service area where all of the transmission or distribution facilities of the respective public utilities providing telephone communications and electric services are underground, grantee likewise shall construct, operate, and maintain all of its transmission and distribution facilities underground; provided that such facilities are actually capable of receiving grantee's cable and other equipment without technical degradation of the cable system's signal quality, In those areas of the service area where the transmission or distribution facilities of the respective public utilities providing telephone communications and electric services are both aerial and underground, grantee shall have the sole discretion to construct, operate, and maintain all of its transmissions and distribution facilities, or any part thereof, aerial or underground. Nothing contained in this Article 3, subsection (G) shall require grantee to construct, operate, and maintain underground any ground- mounted appurtenances such as subscriber taps, line extenders, system passive devices (splitters, directional couplers), amplifiers, power supplies, pedestals, or other related equipment. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Article 3, subsection (G) in the event that all of the transmission or distribution facilities of the respective public utilities providing telephone communications and electric services are placed underground after the effective date of this ordinance, grantee shall only be required to construct, operate, and maintain all of its transmission and distribution facilities underground if it is given reasonable notice and access to the public utilities' facilities at the time that such are placed underground.
H. Required extensions of service. The cable system, as constructed as of the date of the passage and final adoption of this ordinance, substantially complies with the material provisions hereof grantee is hereby authorized to extend the cable system as necessary, as desirable, or as required pursuant to the terms hereof within the service area. Whenever grantee shall receive a request for service from at least fifteen (15) subscribers within one thousand three hundred twenty (1,320) cable-bearing strand feet (one-quarter cable mile) of its trunk or distribution cable, it shall extend its cable system to such subscribers at no cost to such subscribers for system extension, other than the usual connection fees for all subscribers; provided that such extension is technically feasible, and if it will not adversely affect the operation, financial condition, or market development of the cable system, or as provided for under Article 3, subsection (I) of this ordinance.
I. Subscriber charges for extension of service. No subscriber shall be refused service arbitrarily. However, for unusual circumstances, such as a subscriber's request to locate his cable drop underground, existence of more than one hundred fifty (150) feet of distance from distribution cable to connection of service to subscribers, or a density of fewer than fifteen (15) subscribers per one thousand three hundred twenty (1,320) cable-bearing strand feet to trunk or distribution cable, cable service or other service may be made available on the basis of a capital contribution in aid of construction, including cost of material, labor, and easement. Potential subscribers shall bear the costs of the construction and other costs on pro rata basis. Grantee may require payment in advance of the capital contribution in aid of construction borne by such potential subscribers.
J. Service to public buildings. Grantee shall provide without charge one (1) outlet of basic cable to franchising authority's office building(s) and public school building(s) that are passed by its cable system. The outlets of basic cable shall not be used to distribute or sell cable service in or throughout such buildings; nor shall such outlets be located in common or public areas open to the public. Users of such outlets shall hold grantee harmless from any and all liability or claims arising out of their use of such outlets, including, but not limited to, those arising from copyright liability. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Article 3, subsection (J), grantee shall not be required to provide an outlet to such buildings where the drop line from the feeder cable to such building or premises exceeds one hundred fifty (150) cable feet, unless it is technically feasible and it will not adversely affect the operation, financial condition, or market development of the cable system to do so, or unless the appropriate governmental entity agrees to pay the incremental cost of such drop line in excess of one hundred fifty (150) cable feet. In the event that additional outlets of basic cable are provided to such buildings, the building owner shall pay the usual installation fees associated therewith, including, but not limited to, labor and materials. Upon request of grantee, the building owner may also be required to pay the service fees associated with the provision of basic cable and the additional outlets relating thereto.
Article 4. Regulation by Franchising Authority.
A. Franchise fee.
1. Grantee shall pay the franchising authority a franchise fee equal to three percent (3%) of gross revenue from the provision of cable services within the franchise area received by grantee on a quarterly basis; provided, however, that grantee may credit against any such payments: (i) any tax, fee, or assessment of any kind imposed by franchising authority or other governmental entity on a cable operator, or subscriber, or both, solely because of their status as such; (ii) any tax, fee or assessment of general applicability which is unduly discriminatory against cable operators or Subscribers (including any such tax, fee, or assessment imposed, both on utilities and cable operators and their services), and (iii) any other special tax, assessment, or fee such as a business, occupation, and entertainment tax. For the purpose of this section, the three (3) month period applicable under the franchise for the computation of the franchise fee shall be a calendar quarter, unless otherwise agreed to in writing by the franchising authority and grantee. The franchise fee payment shall be due and payable sixty (60) days after the close of the preceding calendar quarter. Each payment shall be accompanied by a letter from a representative of grantee showing the basis for the computation.
2. Limitation on franchise fee actions. The period of limitation for recovery of any franchise fee payable hereunder shall be three (3) years from the date on which payment by grantee is due. Unless within three (3) years from and after such payment due date franchising authority initiates a lawsuit for recovery of franchise fees in a court of competent jurisdiction, recovery shall be barred and franchising authority shall be stopped from asserting any claims whatsoever against grantee relating to alleged franchise fee deficiencies.
B. Rates and charges. Franchising authority may not regulate the rates for the provision of cable service or other service, including, but not limited to, ancillary charges relating thereto, except as expressly provided herein and except as may be authorized pursuant to federal and state law. From time to time, and at any time, grantee has the right to modify its rates and charges, at its discretion and without consent of franchising authority, including, but not limited to, the implementation of additional charges and rates; provided, however, that grantee shall give notice to franchising authority of any such modifications or additional charges thirty (30) days prior to the effective date thereof.
C. Conditions of sale. Except to the extent expressly required by federal or state law, if a renewal or extension of the franchise is denied or the franchise is lawfully terminated, and franchising authority either lawfully acquires ownership of the cable system or by its actions lawfully effects a transfer of ownership of the cable system to another party, any such acquisition or transfer shall be at a fair market value, determined on the basis of the cable system valued as a going concern.
Grantee and franchising authority agree that in case of a lawful revocation of the franchise, at grantee's request, which shall be made in its sole discretion, grantee shall be given a reasonable opportunity to effectuate a transfer of its cable system to a qualified third party. Franchising authority further agrees that during such a period of time, it shall authorize grantee to continue to operate pursuant to the terms of its prior franchise; however, in no event shall such authorization exceed a period of time greater than six (6) months from the effective date of such revocation. If, at the end of that time grantee is unsuccessful in procuring a qualified transferee or assignee of its cable system which is reasonably acceptable to franchising authority, grantee and franchising authority may avail themselves of any rights they may have pursuant to federal or state law; it being further agreed that grantee's continued operation of its cable system during the six (6) month period shall not be deemed to be a waiver, nor an extinguishment of, any rights of either franchising authority or grantee. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Article 4, subsection (C), neither franchising authority nor grantee shall be required to violate federal or state law.
D. Transfer of franchise. All of the rights and privileges and all of the obligations, duties and liabilities created by the franchise shall pass to and be binding upon the successors of the franchising authority and the successors and assigns of grantee; and the same shall not be assigned or transferred without the written approval of the City Council, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld; provided, however, that this section shall not prevent the assignment or hypothecation of the franchise by grantee as security for debt without such approval; and provided further that transfers or assignments of this franchise between any parent and subsidiary corporation or between entities of which at least fifty percent (50%) of the beneficial ownership is held by the same person, persons, or entities which are controlled or managed by the same person, persons, or entities, shall be permitted without the prior approval of the franchising authority ("intra-company transfer"). Grantee shall notify franchising authority in writing within thirty (30) days of the closing of such intra-company transfer.
Article 5. Compliance and Monitoring.
A. Books and records. Grantee agrees that franchising authority may review such of grantee's books and records, during normal business hours and on a non- disruptive basis, as are reasonably necessary to monitor compliance with the terms hereof. Such records include, but are not limited to, any public records required to be kept by grantee pursuant to the rules and regulations of the FCC. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, grantee shall not be required to disclose information which it reasonably deems to be proprietary or confidential in nature. Franchising authority agrees to treat any information disclosed to it by grantee as confidential, and to disclose it only to employees, representatives, and agents of franchising authority that have a need to know, or in order to enforce the provisions hereof.
Article 6. Insurance, Indemnification, and Bonds or Other Surety.
A. Insurance requirements. Grantee shall maintain in full force and effect during the term of the franchise, at its own cost and expense, comprehensive general liability insurance in the amount of one million dollars ($1,000,000). Such insurance shall designate franchising authority as an additional insured.
B. Indemnification. Grantee agrees to indemnify, save and hold harmless, and defend franchising authority, its officers, boards, and employees, from and against any liability for damages and for any liability or claims resulting from property damage or bodily injury (including accidental death) which arise out of grantee's construction, operation or maintenance of its cable system, including, but not limited to, reasonable attorney's fees and costs.
C. Bonds and other surety. Except as expressly provided herein, grantee shall not be required to obtain or maintain bonds or other surety as a condition of being awarded the franchise or continuing its existence. Franchising authority acknowledges that the legal, financial, and technical qualifications of grantee are sufficient to afford compliance with the terms of the franchise and the enforcement thereof. Grantee and franchising authority recognize that the costs associated with bonds and other surety may ultimately be borne by the subscribers in the form of increased rates for cable service or other service. In order to minimize such costs, franchising authority agrees to require bonds and other surety only in such amounts and during such times as there is a reasonably demonstrated need thereof. Franchising authority agrees that in no event, however, shall it require a bond or other related surety in an aggregate amount greater than ten thousand dollars ($10,000), conditioned upon the substantial performance of the material terms, covenants, and conditions of the franchise.
Initially, no bond or other surety shall he required. In the event that one is required in the future, franchising authority agrees to give grantee at least sixty (60) days prior written notice thereof stating the exact reason for the requirement. Such reason must demonstrate a change in grantee's legal, financial, or technical qualifications which would materially prohibit or impair its ability to comply with the terms of the franchise or afford compliance therewith.
Article 7. Enforcement and Termination of Franchise.
A. Notice of violation. In the event that franchising authority believes that grantee has not complied with the terms of the franchise, it shall notify grantee in writing of the exact nature of the alleged default.
B. Grantee's right to cure or respond. Grantee shall have sixty (60) days from receipt of the notice described in Article 7, subsection (A): (i) to respond to franchising authority contesting the assertion of default; (ii) to cure such default; or (iii) in the event that, by the nature of the default, such default cannot be cured within sixty (60) day period, to initiate reasonable steps to remedy such default and to notify franchising authority of the steps being taken and the projected date that they will be completed.
C. Public hearing. In the event that grantee fails to respond to the notice described in Article 7, subsection (A) pursuant to the procedures set forth in Article 7, subsection (B), or in the event that the alleged default is not remedied within one hundred twenty (120) days after grantee is notified of the alleged default pursuant to Article 7, subsection (A), franchising authority shall schedule a public meeting to investigate the default. Such public meeting shall be held at the next regularly scheduled meeting of franchising authority which is scheduled at a time which is no fewer than five (5) business days therefrom. Franchising authority shall notify grantee of the time and place of such meeting and provide grantee with an opportunity to be heard.
D. Enforcement. Subject to applicable federal and state law, in the event franchising authority determines, after such meeting, that grantee is in default of any provision of the franchise, franchising authority may:
1. Foreclose on all or any part of any security provided under the franchise, if any, including, without limitation, any bonds or other surety; provided, however, that the foreclosure shall only be in such a manner and in such amount as franchising authority reasonably determines is necessary to remedy the default;
2. Commence an action at law for monetary damages or seek other equitable relief;
3. In the ease of a substantial default of a material provision of the franchise, declare the franchise agreement to be revoked; or
4. Seek specific performance of any provision which reasonably lends itself to such remedy, as an alternative to damages. Grantee shall not be relieved of any of its obligations to comply promptly with any provision of the franchise by reason of any failure of franchising authority to enforce prompt compliance.
E. Acts of God. Grantee shall not be held in default of the provisions of the franchise, nor suffer any enforcement or penalty relating thereto, where such alleged default is caused by strikes, acts of god, power outages, or other events reasonably beyond its ability to control.
Article 8. Unauthorized Reception.
A. Misdemeanor. In addition to those criminal and other remedies provided by state and federal law, it shall be a misdemeanor for any person to create or make use inductively, or otherwise, with any part of the cable system without the express consent of grantee. Further, without the express consent of grantee, it shall be a misdemeanor for any person to tamper with, remove, or injure any property, equipment, or part of cable system or any means of receiving cable service or other service. Subject to applicable federal and state law, franchising authority shall incorporate into its criminal code, if not presently a part thereof, criminal misdemeanor law which shall enforce the intent of Article 8, subsection A.
Article 9. Miscellaneous Provisions.
A. Preemption. If the FCC or any other federal or state body or agency shall now or hereafter exercise any paramount jurisdiction over the subject matter or the exercise of the like jurisdiction by franchising authority, the jurisdiction of franchising authority shall cease and no longer exist.
B. Employee requirements. Grantee shall afford equal opportunity in employment to all qualified persons. No person shall be discriminated against in employment because of race, color, religion, national origin or sex. Grantee shall maintain and carry out a continuing program of specific practices designed to assure equal opportunity in every aspect of its employment policies and practices.
C. Actions of franchising authority. In any action by franchising authority or representative thereof mandated or permitted under the terns hereof, such party shall act in a reasonable, expeditious and timely manner. Furthermore, in any instance where approval or consent is required under the terms hereof, such approval or consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.
D. Notice. Unless expressly otherwise agreed between the parties, every notice or response to be served upon franchising authority or grantee shall he in writing, and shall be deemed to have been duly given to the required party five (5) business days after having been posted in a properly sealed and correctly addressed envelope by certified or registered mail, postage prepaid, at a post office or branch thereof regularly maintained by the U.S. Postal Service.
The notices or responses to franchising authority shall be addressed as follows:
Express Delivery or Packages Only
City of Purcell, Oklahoma
230 W. Main Street
Purcell, Oklahoma 73080
The notices or responses to grantee shall be addressed as follows: Suddenlink Communications
Attention: Michael Zarrilli
12444 Powerscourt Drive
Suite 450
Purcell, Oklahoma 73080
CC: Suddenlink Communications
Attention: Charles Hembree
2206 N. Green Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63131
Franchising authority and grantee may designate such other address or addresses from time to time by giving written notice to the other party.
E. Descriptive heading. The captions to sections contained herein are intended solely to facilitate the reading thereof. Such captions shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of the text herein.
Editor's note- Cable franchise extended for an additional six (6) months beginning 8/7/2010 and ending 2/7/2011, Ord. No. 10-11, 8/2/2010; Ord. No. 11-02 adopted 1/3/2011.
Per city's instruction, ordinance provisions have been formatted in approximate accordance with Code style.