Chapter 1.52
CABLE TV FRANCHISE COMMISSION

Sections:

1.52.040  Creation – Composition – Compensation.

1.52.080  Purpose.

1.52.120  Removal and filling of vacancy.

1.52.160  Organization – Meetings – Quorum.

1.52.200  Powers and duties.

1.52.240  Budget recommendations.

1.52.280  Communications to city council.

1.52.040 Creation – Composition – Compensation.

There is created the cable TV franchise commission consisting of five members to be appointed by the mayor, subject to the confirmation by the city council. At least three of the members shall be residents of the city of Ellensburg. Terms shall be for five years, except for the terms of the initial appointees, who shall serve one-, two-, three-, four-, or five-year terms, respectively. The commissioners shall not receive compensation for their service. [Ord. 3455 § 1, 1984.]

1.52.080 Purpose.

The cable TV franchise commission is created for the purpose of advising the city council and staff regarding the administration of the cable TV franchise, codified in Chapter 11.08 ECC. [Ord. 3455 § 1, 1984.]

1.52.120 Removal and filling of vacancy.

Members of the cable TV franchise commission may be removed at any time by a majority of the city council. Whenever a commissioner absents himself/herself for three consecutive regular meetings of the commission, or an aggregate of five regular and/or special meetings annually, unless by permission of the commission given at an open public meeting, the office shall automatically be vacated. Requests for excused absence shall be made in writing to the city council. Vacancies for the remainder of any such unexpired terms shall be filled in the same manner in which the original appointments were made. [Ord. 3863 § 6, 1993; Ord. 3455 § 1, 1984.]

1.52.160 Organization – Meetings – Quorum.

Immediately after their appointment, members of the commission shall meet and organize by electing from the members of the commission a chairman and vice chairman. An election of such officers shall be conducted at the first meeting. The city manager, or his designee, shall serve as secretary of the commission. It shall be the duty of the chairman to preside at all meetings of the commission and of the secretary to keep minutes of all meetings and of all proceedings of the commission. The vice chairman shall perform the duties of the chairman in the event of the absence of the chairman or vacancy in the office. A majority of the commission shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, and affirmative votes by a majority shall be necessary to carry any proposition. A public meeting of the commission shall be held within the corporate limits of the city of Ellensburg at least once each eight weeks. [Ord. 3455 § 1, 1984.]

1.52.200 Powers and duties.

The powers and duties of the commission shall be as follows:

A. To consult with and recommend to the city council in matters pertaining to the administration of the cable TV franchise codified in Chapter 11.08 ECC;

B. To establish policy guidelines for the programming content of the broadcasting which takes place over the community access channel; and

C. To prepare all annual reports, conduct all regular reviews and maintain contact with the university administration in regards to the operation of the community access channel and the administration of the city's interlocal agreement for the operation of the above channel. [Ord. 3455 § 1, 1984.]

1.52.240 Budget recommendations.

The commission may submit project and/or program recommendations to the city council for the preliminary budget prior to June 30th of each year. Commission recommendations not incorporated in the preliminary budget shall be forwarded to the city council for consideration with the preliminary budget. [Ord. 3455 § 1, 1984.]

1.52.280 Communications to city council.

The commission shall forward communications to the city council through separate memoranda, including all rationale, which shall be included as council agenda items. [Ord. 3455 § 1, 1984.]