(A) Non-discrimination required.
(1) The grantee shall not deny service, deny access, or otherwise discriminate against subscribers, channel users or general citizens on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex or physical or mental handicaps, provided the subscriber shall pay all applicable fees for the service desired, and provided further that nothing contained herein shall prohibit the grantee from granting senior citizens discounts to subscribers.
(2) The grantee shall comply at all times with all other applicable federal, state, county and local laws and regulations relating to non-discrimination in providing access to services which may hereinafter be incorporated and made a part of this chapter by reference.
(B) Fairness of accessibility. The entire system of the grantee shall be operated in a manner consistent with the principles of fairness and equal accessibility of its facilities, equipment, channels, studios and other services to all citizens, businesses, public agencies and other entities having a legitimate use for the network; and no one shall be arbitrarily excluded from its use; provided, however, that allocation of use of said facilities shall be made according to the rules or decisions of the grantee and any regulatory agencies affecting the same.
(C) Information accessibility.
(1) (a) Each individual shall have the right to information from the county concerning the provisions of this chapter and the rules and regulations formulated pursuant to it by the Council, agent or entity created hereunder or pursuant to this chapter.
(b) The location and hours of operation for the delivery of such information shall be published in the newspaper of the greatest circulation within the county and in such other media as the Council may determine.
(2) Each individual subscribing to the services of the cable communications system or leasing channels thereof or using the access channels shall be provided with a memorandum setting forth all rules and regulations specifically outlining such individual rights, duties and obligations pertinent to such use.
(3) Such information as may herein be prescribed will be made available to the public and individual subscribers in such form required for understanding, including the deaf and blind, and in such languages as may be specified by the Council.
(4) (a) Each document required to be maintained, prepared, filed or submitted under the provisions of this chapter or pursuant to it, except those required and designated confidential by the grantee or the Federal Communications Commission, shall be a public document, available for public inspection and copying at the requestor's expense, at the county during normal business hours.
(b) The charge for such copying shall approximate the cost of mechanical reproduction and shall not include a charge for labor.
(5) (a) Each individual shall have the right to representation on such boards, commissions, agencies or other entities created hereunder or hereafter by the Council pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.
(b) Such representation by citizens of the county shall be in the manner and form as the Council may determine, ensuring equal participation of all protected groups.
(Ord. 3502, passed 10-7-02)