(A) (1) In selecting a franchisee pursuant to this chapter, the town shall prepare a request for proposal to seek bids for a cable communication system to be established under a franchise by the town.
(2) This request for proposal will contain information and instructions relating to the preparation and filing of proposals; conditions regarding the installation, operation and maintenance of a CATV system under town franchise; and the criteria to be used in evaluating applicant proposals.
(B) Applicants will be evaluated according to the following criteria:
(1) Preference may be given an installation plan that would provide flexibility needed to adjust to new developments, maintenance practices and services that would be available to the subscriber and the community immediately and in the future.
(2) Preference may be given to applicants with the most reasonable installation and subscriber rate schedule.
(3) The evidence of financial ability required in the applicant’s proposal shall be such as to assure ability to complete the entire system within a minimum of three years of the date the franchisee receives the Federal Communications Commission certificate of compliance.
(4) Demonstrated experience in operating a CATV system under town franchise. Preference may be given upon evidence of the applicant’s experience in operating a CATV system under town franchise, where this evidence would show, tend to show or confirm the ability of the applicant to furnish sufficient and dependable service to the potential public and private users.
(C) An application fee as set forth in the Town Schedule of Rates and Fees, a copy of which is located in the office of the Town Clerk and is incorporated herein by reference, shall be made by each franchise applicant, which fee shall be in the form of cash, check or money order, to defray the costs of studying, investigating and otherwise processing the application and which shall be in consideration thereof and not refundable or returnable in whole or in part.
(D) (1) The Board of Commissioners shall award a franchise to an applicant only after a public hearing on the application and proposal.
(2) Notice of the public hearing shall be published in a local newspaper of general circulation at least 20 days before the date of the hearing.
(1988 Code, § 111.06) (Ord. passed 10-2-1979)