(a) Required.
(1) In those cases when the cable operator has submitted initial rates or proposed an increase that exceeds the reasonable rate standard, Council or the ICRC may require the cable operator to produce information in addition to that submitted, including proprietary information, if needed to make a rate determination. In these cases, a cable operator may request that the information be kept confidential in accordance with this section.
(2) In cases where initial or proposed rates comply with the reasonable rate standard, Council or the ICRC may request additional information only in order to document that the cable operator’s rates are in accordance with the standard.
(b) Requests for confidentiality.
(1) A cable operator submitting information to Council may request, in writing, that the information not be made routinely available for public inspection. A copy of the request shall be attached to and cover all of the information and all copies of the information to which it applies.
(2) If feasible, the information to which the request applies shall be physically separated from any information to which the request does not apply. If this is not feasible, the portion of the information to which the request applies shall be identified.
(3) Each request shall contain a statement of the reasons for withholding inspection and a statement of the facts upon which those reasons are based.
(4) Casual requests which do not comply with the requirements of this subsection shall not be considered.
(c) Council action. Requests which comply with the requirements of subsection (b) hereof will be acted upon by Council. Council will grant the request if the cable operator presents, by a preponderance of the evidence, a case for nondisclosure consistent with applicable Federal regulations. If the request is granted, the ruling will be placed in a public file in lieu of the information withheld from public inspection. If the request does not present a case for nondisclosure and Council denies the request, Council shall take one of the following actions:
(1) If the information has been submitted voluntarily without any direction from the Village, the cable operator may request that the Village return the information without considering it. Ordinarily, the Village will comply with this request. Only in the unusual instance when the public interest so requires will the information be made available for public inspection.
(2) If the information was required to be submitted by Council, the information will be made available for public inspection.
(d) Appeals. If Council denies the request for confidentiality, the cable operator may seek review of that decision from the FCC within five working days of Council’s decision, and the release of the information will be stayed pending review.
(Ord. 9-1994, passed 2-8-94)