Chapter 3-8 PROCEDURE FOR GRANTING COMMUNITY ANTENNA TELEVISION FRANCHISES

The City finds that the development of cable television and communications systems has the potential of having great benefit and impact upon the residents of Turlock. Because of the complex and rapidly changing technology associated with cable television, the City further finds that the public convenience, safety and general welfare can best be served by establishing regulatory powers which should be vested in the City or such persons as the City shall designate. It is the intent of this chapter and subsequent amendments to provide for and specify the means to attain the best possible public interest and public purpose in these matters and any franchise issued pursuant to this chapter shall be deemed to include this finding as an integral part thereof.

Article 3. Short Title

3-8-301 Short title.

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "City of Turlock Cable Communications Franchise Ordinance."

Article 4. Definitions

3-8-401 Definitions.

For the purpose of this chapter the following terms, phrases, words and their derivations shall have the meaning given herein. Words used in the present tense include the future, words in the plural number include the singular number, and words in the singular number include the plural number. Words not defined shall be given their common and ordinary meaning.

3-8-402 Basic cable service.

"Basic cable service" means any service tier which includes the retransmission of local television broadcast signals.

3-8-403 Cable communications system.

"Cable communications system" or "system," also referred to as "cable television system," "cable system," "CATV system," or "Community Antenna TV System," means a facility, consisting of a set of closed transmission paths and associated signal generation, reception, and control equipment, that is designed to provide cable service which includes video programming and which is provided to multiple subscribers within a community, but such term does not include:

(a) A facility that serves only to retransmit the television signals of one or more television broadcast stations;

(b) A facility that serves only subscribers in one or more multiple unit dwellings under common ownership, control, or management, unless such facility uses any public right-of-way;

(c) A facility of a common carrier, except that such facility shall be considered a cable system to the extent such facility is used in the transmission of video programming directly to subscribers; or

(d) Any facilities of any electric utility used solely for operating its electric utility system.

3-8-404 Cablecast signal.

"Cablecast signal" means a nonbroadcast signal that originates within the facilities of the cable communications system.

3-8-405 Cable service.

"Cable service" means the total of the following:

(a) The one-way transmission to subscribers of video programming or other programming service; and

(b) Subscriber interaction, if any, which is required for the selection of such video programming or other programming service.

3-8-406 Channel or cable channel.

"Channel" or "cable channel" means a portion of the electromagnetic frequency spectrum which is used in a cable system and which is capable of delivering a television channel as defined by the Federal Communications Commission.

3-8-407 Commence construction.

"Commence construction" means that time and date when construction of the cable communications system is considered to have commenced, which shall be when the first connection is physically made to a utility pole, or undergrounding of cables is initiated, after preliminary engineering (strand mapping) and after all necessary permits and authorizations have been obtained.

3-8-408 Commence operation.

"Commence operation" means that time and date when operation of the cable communications system is considered to have commenced which shall be when sufficient distribution facilities have been installed so as to permit the offering of full services to a dwelling unit located within the franchise area and such services are actually subscribed to by a resident of the franchise area.

3-8-409 Commercial use channel(s).

"Commercial use channel(s)" means the channel capacity designated for commercial use as defined and required by federal law.

3-8-410 Completion of construction.

"Completion of construction" means that point in time when all distribution facilities specified in the franchise agreement have been installed by the grantee so as to permit the offering of cable service to all of the potential subscribers in the franchise area, as well as the provision, in an operational state, of any facilities required by the franchise agreement.

3-8-411 Converter.

"Converter" means an electronic device which converts signal carriers from one form to another.

3-8-412 Council or city council.

"Council" or "city council" means the governing body of the City.

3-8-413 FCC.

"FCC" means the Federal Communications Commission and any legally appointed or elected successor.

3-8-414 Franchise.

"Franchise" means an initial authorization, or renewal thereof, issued by a franchising authority, whether such authorization is designated as a franchise, permit, license, resolution, contract, certificate, agreement, or otherwise, which authorizes the construction or operation of a cable system.

3-8-415 Franchise agreement.

"Franchise agreement" means a franchise award ordinance, or a contractual agreement, containing the specific provisions of the franchise granted, including referenced specifications, franchise applications, franchise requirements ordinances and other related materials.

3-8-416 Franchise fee.

"Franchise fee" means any tax, fee or assessment of any kind imposed by a franchising authority or other governmental entity on a grantee or cable subscriber, or both, solely because of their status as such. The term "franchise fee" does not include:

(a) Any tax, fee or assessment of general applicability (including any such tax, fee, or assessment imposed on both utilities and cable operators or their services but not including a tax, fee, or assessment which is unduly discriminatory against grantee or cable subscribers);

(b) Capital costs which are required by the franchise to be incurred by grantee for public, educational, or governmental access facilities;

(c) Requirements or charges incidental to the awarding or enforcing of the franchise, including payments for bonds, security funds, letters of credit, insurance, indemnification, penalties, or liquidated damages; or

(d) Any fee imposed under Title 17, United States Code.

3-8-417 Grantee or franchisee.

"Grantee" or "franchisee" means any "person" receiving a franchise pursuant to this chapter and under the granting franchise ordinance or agreement, and its lawful successor, transferee or assignee.

3-8-418 Grantor or city.

"Grantor" or "City" means the City of Turlock as represented by the City Council or any delegates acting within the scope of its jurisdiction.

3-8-419 Gross annual receipts.

"Gross annual receipts" means the annual gross revenues received by the grantee from all sources of operations of the cable communications system, excluding refundable deposits, except that any sales, excise or other taxes collected for direct pass-through to local, State or Federal government shall not be included.

3-8-420 Initial service area.

"Initial service area" means the area of the City which will receive service initially, as set forth in the franchise agreement.

3-8-421 Installation.

"Installation" means the connection of the system from feeder cable to subscribers' terminals, and the provision of service.

3-8-422 Local origination channel.

"Local origination channel" means any channel where the grantee or its designated agent is the primary programmer, and provides video programs to subscribers.

3-8-423 Pay-cable, pay-television or pay-per-view.

"Pay-cable," "pay-television" or "pay-per-view" means the delivery to subscribers, over the cable communications system, of television signals for a fee or charge to subscribers over and above the charge for basic cable service, on a per program, per channel, or other subscription basis.

3-8-424 Person.

"Person" means an individual, partnership, association, joint stock company, trust, corporation, or organizational entity.

3-8-425 Public, educational or government access facilities.

"Public, educational or government access facilities" or "PEG access facilities" means the total of the following:

(a) Channel capacity designated for public, educational, or governmental use; and

(b) Facilities and equipment for the use of such channel capacity.

3-8-426 School.

"School" means any accredited nonprofit educational institution including primary and secondary schools, colleges and universities, both public and private.

3-8-427 Section.

"Section" means any section, subsection, or provision of this franchise chapter.

3-8-428 Service area or franchise area.

"Service area" or "franchise area" means the entire geographic area within the City designated in a franchise agreement to receive cable service.

3-8-429 Street.

"Street" means each of the following which have been dedicated to the public or hereafter are dedicated to the public and maintained under public authority or by others and located within the City limits: streets, roadways, highways, avenues, lanes, alleys, sidewalks, easements, rights-of-way and similar public property and areas that the grantor shall permit to be included within the definition of street from time to time.

3-8-430 Subscriber.

"Subscriber" means any person, firm, corporation, or other entity who or which elects to subscribe to, for any purpose, a service provided by the grantee by means of or in connection with the cable communications system.

Article 5. Grant of Franchise

3-8-501 Grant.

In the event that grantor shall grant to a grantee a nonexclusive, revocable franchise to construct, operate, maintain, and reconstruct, a cable communications system within the franchise area, or a renewal of an existing franchise, said franchise shall constitute both a right and an obligation to provide the services of a cable communications system as required by the provisions of this chapter and the franchise agreement.

Any franchise granted under the terms and conditions contained herein shall be consistent with Federal and State laws and regulations. In the event of conflict between the terms and conditions of the franchise and the terms and conditions on which the grantor can grant a franchise, the general law and/or statutory requirements shall, without exception, control.

Any franchise granted is hereby made subject to the City's general ordinance provisions now in effect or hereafter made effective. Nothing in the franchise shall be deemed to waive the requirements of any other codes and ordinances regarding permits, fees to be paid or manner of construction.

3-8-502 Franchise required.

No cable communications system shall be allowed to occupy or use the public streets, or be allowed to operate, without a franchise in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.

3-8-503 Establishment of franchise requirements.

The grantor may establish appropriate requirements for new franchises or franchise renewals, and may modify these requirements from time to time to reflect changing conditions and state of art in the cable industry. Such requirements shall not be retroactive to franchises then in effect, except as set forth in Section 3-8-512 but shall become applicable when the franchise is renewed.

3-8-504 Authority to grant franchise.

The grantor may grant a franchise for all or any defined portion of its jurisdiction. The service area shall be the entire area defined in the franchise agreement. The initial service area shall be that portion of the franchise area scheduled to receive initial service, as stated in the franchise agreement.

3-8-505 Use of public streets and ways.

For the purpose of operating and maintaining a cable communications system in the franchise area, and subject to the provisions of Section 3-8-809 of this article herein, the grantee may erect, install, construct, repair, replace, reconstruct, and retain in, on, over, under, upon, across, and along the public streets and ways within the franchise area such wires, cables, conductors, ducts, conduits, vaults, manholes, amplifiers, appliances, pedestals, attachments, and other property and equipment as are necessary and appurtenant to the operation of the cable communications system. Prior to construction or alteration, however, the grantee shall in each case file plans with the appropriate grantor agencies and local utility companies, and receive written approval before proceeding. Grantee shall in any event comply with all applicable grantor construction codes and procedures.

3-8-506 Duration.

The term of any new franchise or franchise renewal and all rights, privileges, obligations and restrictions pertaining thereto shall be as established in the franchise agreement, unless terminated sooner as hereinafter provided.

3-8-507 Franchise nonexclusive.

Any franchise granted shall be nonexclusive. The grantor specifically reserves the right to grant, at any time, such additional franchises for a cable communications system as it deems appropriate, provided however, that such additional grants shall not operate to materially abridge, revoke or terminate any rights previously granted to any grantee.

3-8-508 Franchise applications.

Applicants for a franchise shall submit to the grantor written applications utilizing the standardized format established by the grantor, at the time and place designated by the grantor for accepting applications, and including the application fees designated by grantor.

3-8-509 Grant procedure.

All franchise applications when filed shall be available for public inspection at places designated by the grantor. No later than ninety (90) days after the final date for filing applications, one or more public hearings shall be held on the applications. A decision shall be made by the grantor not later than ninety (90) days after the conclusion of all such public hearings based upon an evaluation of the application(s), the hearings, and other information that the grantor may deem relevant. Grantor may grant one or more franchises, or may decline to grant any franchise.

3-8-510 Transfer of ownership or control.

(a) Transfer of franchise. Any franchise granted hereunder shall be a privilege to be held for the benefit of the public. Said franchise cannot in any event be sold, transferred, leased, assigned or disposed of, including but not limited to, by forced or voluntary sale, merger, consolidation, receivership, or other means without the prior written consent of the grantor, and then only under such reasonable conditions as the grantor may establish. Such consent as required by the grantor shall be given or denied no later than ninety (90) days following any request, and shall not be unreasonably withheld.

(b) Ownership or control. The grantee shall promptly notify in writing the grantor of any proposed change in, or transfer of, or acquisition by any other party of, control of the grantee. The word "control" as used herein is not limited to majority ownership but includes actual working control in whatever manner exercised. A rebuttable presumption that a transfer of control has occurred shall arise upon the acquisition or transfer by any person or group of persons of ten (10%) percent or more of the beneficial ownership interest of the grantee. Every change, transfer, or acquisition of control of the grantee shall make the franchise subject to cancellation unless and until the grantor shall have consented in writing thereto, which consent shall be given or denied no later than ninety (90) days following any request, and shall not be unreasonably withheld. For the purpose of determining whether it shall consent to such change, transfer or acquisition of control, the grantor may inquire into the qualifications of the prospective controlling party, and the grantee shall assist the grantor in any such inquiry.

In seeking the grantor's consent to any change in ownership or control, the grantee shall have the responsibility:

(1) To show to the satisfaction of the grantor whether the proposed purchaser, transferee, or assignee (the "proposed transferee"), which in the case of a corporation, shall include all directors and all persons having a legal or equitable interest in five (5%) percent or more of its voting stock:

(i) Has ever been convicted or held liable for acts involving moral turpitude including, but not limited to any violation of Federal, State or local law or regulations, or is presently under an indictment, investigation or complaint charging such acts;

(ii) Has ever had a judgment in an action for fraud, deceit or misrepresentation entered against it, her, him, or them by any court of competent jurisdiction; or

(iii) Has pending any legal claim, lawsuit or administrative proceeding arising out of or involving a cable system;

(2) To establish, to the satisfaction of the grantor, the financial solvency of the proposed transferee by submitting all current financial data for the proposed transferee which the grantee was required to submit in its franchise application, and such other data as the grantor reasonably may request. Financial statements shall be audited, certified and qualified by a certified public accountant;

(3) To establish to the satisfaction of the grantor that the financial and technical capability of the proposed transferee is such as shall enable it to maintain and operate the cable system for the remaining term of the franchise under the existing franchise terms.

(c) The grantor agrees that any financial institution having a pledge of the franchise or its assets for the advancement of money for the construction and/or operation of the franchise shall have the right to notify the grantor that it or its designee satisfactory to the grantor shall take control and operate the cable communications system, in the event of a grantee default in its financial obligations. Further, said financial institution shall also submit a plan for such operation that will insure continued service and compliance with all franchise requirements during the term the financial institution exercises control over the system. The financial institution shall not exercise control over the system for a period exceeding one year unless extended by the grantor in its discretion and during said period of time it shall have the right to petition the grantor to transfer the franchise to another grantee. If the grantor finds that such transfer after considering the legal, financial, character, technical and other public interest qualities of the applicant are satisfactory, the grantor shall transfer and assign the rights and obligations of such franchise as in the public interest. The consent of the grantor to such transfer shall be given or denied no less than ninety (90) days after any request, and shall not be unreasonably withheld.

(d) The consent or approval of the grantor to any transfer by the grantee shall not constitute a waiver or release of the rights of the grantor in and to the streets, and any transfer shall by its terms, be expressly subject to the terms and conditions of any franchise.

(e) In the absence of extraordinary circumstances, the grantor shall not approve any transfer or assignment of the franchise prior to completion of initial construction of the cable system.

(f) In no event shall a transfer of ownership or control be approved without the successor in interest becoming a signatory to the franchise agreement.

3-8-511 Franchise renewal.

Franchise renewal shall be as prescribed by applicable law.

3-8-512 Police powers.

In accepting a franchise, the grantee acknowledges that its rights hereunder are subject to the police powers of the grantor to adopt and enforce general ordinances necessary to the safety and welfare of the public; and it agrees to comply with all applicable general laws and ordinances enacted by the grantor pursuant to such power.

Any conflict between the provisions of this chapter and any other present or future lawful exercise of the grantor's police powers shall be resolved in favor of the latter, except that any such exercise that is not of general application in the jurisdiction or applies exclusively to any cable communications system franchise which contains provisions inconsistent with this chapter shall prevail only if upon such exercise the grantor finds an emergency exists constituting a danger to health, safety, property or general welfare or such exercise is mandated by law.

3-8-513 Franchise fee.

(a) Annual franchise payment. A grantee of a franchise hereunder shall pay to the grantor an annual fee in an amount as designated in the franchise agreement. Such payment shall commence as of the effective date of the franchise or any renewal date. The grantor, on an annual basis, shall be furnished a statement within sixty (60) days of the close of the calendar year, either audited and certified by an independent certified public accountant or certified by a financial officer of the grantee, reflecting the total amounts of gross receipts and all payments, deductions and computations for the period covered by the payment. Upon ten (10) days prior written notice, grantor shall have the right to conduct an independent audit of grantee's records, in accordance with generally accepted accounting procedures, and if such audit indicates a franchise fee underpayment of two (2%) percent or more, the grantee shall assume all reasonable costs of such an audit.

(b) Acceptance by grantor. No acceptance of any payment by the grantor shall be construed as a release or as an accord and satisfaction of any claim the grantor may have for further or additional sums payable as a franchise fee under this chapter or for the performance of any other obligation of the grantee.

(c) Failure to make required payment. In the event that any franchise payment or recomputed amount is not made on or before the dates specified herein, grantee shall pay as additional compensation:

(1) An interest charge, computed from such due date, at an annual rate equal to the average rate of return on invested funds of the City during the period for which payment was due;

(2) If the payment is late by forty-five (45) days or more, a sum of money equal to five (5%) percent of the amount due in order to defray those additional expenses and costs incurred by the grantor by reason of delinquent payment.

(d) Franchise fee payments shall be made in accordance with the schedule indicated in the franchise agreement.

(e) Any grantee itemization of franchise fee costs on subscribers' bills shall be in accordance with Federal law. If grantee elects to indicate the franchise fee as a separate item, it shall also itemize, as a minimum, the five (5) cost items representing the largest recurring operational costs to grantee.

3-8-514 Forfeiture or revocation.

(a) Grounds for revocation. If the grantee has been given due notice and a reasonable opportunity to cure, the grantor reserves the right to revoke any franchise granted hereunder and rescind all rights and privileges associated with the franchise in the following circumstances, each of which shall represent a default under this chapter and a material breach of the franchise:

(1) If the grantee shall default in the performance of any of its material obligations under this chapter or under such documents, agreements and other terms and provisions entered into by and between the grantor and the grantee, subject to the provisions of Section 3-8-1403;

(2) If the grantee should fail to provide or maintain in full force and effect, the liability and indemnification coverages or the security fund or bonds as required herein;

(3) If any court of competent jurisdiction, or any Federal or State regulatory body by rules, decisions or other action determines that any material provision of the franchise documents, including this chapter, the franchise agreement and grantee's proposal is invalid or unenforceable prior to the commencement of initial system construction;

(4) If the grantee ceases to provide all services for any reason within the control of the grantee over the cable communications system;

(5) If the grantee willfully violates any of the material provisions of this chapter or the franchise agreement or attempts to practice any fraud or deceit upon the grantor;

(6) If the grantee becomes insolvent, or upon listing of an order for relief in favor of grantee in a bankruptcy proceeding.

(b) Procedure prior to revocation.

(1) The grantor may make written demand that the grantee comply with any such requirement, limitation, term, condition, rule or regulation or correct any action deemed cause for revocation. In the event the stated violation is not reasonably curable within ninety (90) days, the franchise shall not be terminated or revoked, or damages assessed, if the grantee provides within the said ninety (90) days a plan, satisfactory to the grantor, to remedy the violation. If the failure, refusal or neglect of the grantee continues for a period exceeding ninety (90) days following receipt of such written demand by the grantor, the grantor may place its request for termination of the franchise upon a regular council meeting agenda. The grantor shall cause notice to be served upon such grantee, at least twenty (20) days prior to the date of such meeting, a written notice of this intent to request such termination, and the time and place of the meeting, notice of which shall be published at least once, ten (10) days before such meeting in a newspaper of general circulation within the franchise area.

(2) The grantor shall hear any persons interested therein, and shall determine, within ninety (90) days, based upon the preponderance of the evidence, whether the grantee has committed a material breach of this chapter or the franchise agreement, and, if so, whether such breach was willful.

(3) If the grantor determines that the grantee has willfully committed a material breach, then the grantor may, by resolution, declare that the franchise of such grantee shall be terminated and security fund and bonds forfeited, or the grantor may, at its option and if the material breach is capable of being cured by the grantee, direct the grantee to take appropriate remedial action within such time and manner and upon such terms and conditions as the grantor shall determine are reasonable under the circumstances.

3-8-515 Procedures in the event of termination or expiration.

(a) Disposition of facilities. In the event a franchise expires, is revoked, or otherwise terminated, the grantor may order the removal of the above-ground system facilities from the franchise area within a reasonable period of time as determined by the grantor or require the original grantee to maintain and operate its cable system for a period not to exceed twenty-four (24) months as indicated in subsection (d) of this section.

(b) Restoration of property. In removing its plant, structures, and equipment, the grantee shall refill, at its own expense, any excavation that shall be made by it and shall leave all public ways and places in as good condition as that prevailing prior to the grantee's removal of its equipment without affecting the electrical or telephone cable wires, or attachments. The liability, indemnity and insurance, and the security fund and bonds provided shall continue in full force and effect during the period of removal and until full compliance by the grantee with the terms and conditions of this section.

(c) Restoration by grantor, reimbursement of costs. In the event of a failure by the grantee to complete any work required by subsection (a) above and/or subsection (b) above, or any other work required by grantor by law or ordinance, within ninety (90) days after receipt of written notice, and to the satisfaction of the grantor, the grantor may cause such work to be done and the grantee shall reimburse the grantor the cost thereof within thirty (30) days after receipt of an itemized list of such costs or the grantor may recover such costs through the security fund or bonds provided by grantee. The grantor shall be permitted to seek legal and equitable relief to enforce the provisions of this section.

(d) Extended operation. Upon either the expiration or revocation of a franchise, the grantor may require the grantee to continue to operate the cable communications system for a defined period of time not to exceed twenty-four (24) months from the date of such expiration or revocation. The grantee shall, as trustee for its successor in interest, continue to operate the cable communications system under the terms and conditions of this chapter and the franchise agreement and to provide the regular cable service and any of the other services that may be provided at that time. The grantor shall be permitted to seek legal and equitable relief to enforce the provisions of this section.

(e) Grantor's right not affected. The termination and forfeiture of any franchise shall in no way affect any of the rights of the grantor under any provision of law.

3-8-516 Receivership and foreclosure.

(a) Any franchise granted shall, at the option of the grantor, cease and terminate 120 days after the appointment of a receiver or receivers or trustee or trustees to take over and conduct the business of the grantee whether in a receivership, reorganization, bankruptcy or other action or proceeding unless such receivership or trusteeship shall have been vacated prior to the expiration of said 120 days, or unless:

(1) Such receivers or trustees shall have, within 120 days after their election or appointment, fully complied with all the terms and provisions of this chapter and the franchise granted pursuant hereto, and the receivers or trustees within said 120 days shall have remedied all defaults under the franchise; and

(2) Such receivers or trustees shall, within said 120 days, execute an agreement duly approved by the court having jurisdiction on the premises, whereby such receivers or trustees assume and agree to be bound by each and every term, provision and limitation of the franchise agreement.

(b) In the case of a foreclosure or other involuntary sale of the plant, property and equipment of the grantee, or any part thereof, the grantor may serve notice of termination upon the grantee and to the purchaser at such sale, in which event the franchise and rights and privileges of the grantee hereunder shall cease and terminate thirty (30) days after service of such notice, unless:

(1) The grantor shall have approved the transfer of the franchise, as and in the manner in this chapter provided; and

(2) Such successful purchaser shall have covenanted and agreed with the grantor to assume and be bound by all the terms and conditions of the franchise agreement.

3-8-517 Franchise processing costs.

For either a new franchise award, franchise renewal or transfer, costs to be borne by the grantee which receives the new franchise award, renewal or transfer, shall include, but shall not be limited to, all costs of publications of notices prior to any public meeting provided for pursuant to a franchise, development and publication of relevant ordinances and franchise agreement, fees, and any cost not covered by the application fees, incurred by the grantor in its study, preparation of proposal solicitation documents, evaluation of all applications, including, but not limited to consultant and attorney fees.

These franchise processing costs are over and above the construction inspection and permit fees specified in Section 3-8-810(a)(1) and the franchise fee specified in Section 3-8-513 herein.

Article 6. Regulation of Franchise

3-8-601 Regulatory authority.

The grantor shall exercise regulatory authority under the provisions of this chapter and applicable law. If the franchise area served by the cable communications system also serves other contiguous or neighboring communities, grantor may, at its sole option, participate in a joint regulatory agency, with delegated responsibility in the area of cable and related communications.

3-8-602 Regulatory responsibility.

The grantor, acting alone or acting jointly with other grantors, may exercise or delegate the following regulatory responsibility:

(a) Administering and enforcing the provisions of the cable communications system franchise(s);

(b) Coordination of the operation of public, educational and governmental (PEG) access channel and facilities;

(c) Providing technical, programming and operational support to public agency users, such as government departments, schools and health care institutions;

(d) Establishing jointly with the grantee, or as otherwise specified in the franchise agreement, procedures and standards for use of channels dedicated to public use and sharing of public facilities, if provided for in any franchise agreement;

(e) Planning expansion and growth of public benefit cable services;

(f) Analyzing the possibility of integrating cable communications with other local, State or national telecommunications networks;

(g) Formulating and recommending long-range telecommunications policy.

3-8-603 Public usage of the system.

If so specified in the franchise agreement, the grantor may utilize a portion of the cable communications system capacity, and associated facilities and resources, to develop and provide noncommercial cable services that will be in the public interest. In furtherance of this purpose, the grantor may establish a commission, public corporation, or other entity to receive and allocate facilities, support funds and other considerations provided by the grantor, the grantee, and/or others. Such an entity, if established, may be delegated the following responsibilities:

(a) Receive and utilize or reallocate for utilization, channel capacity, facilities, funding and other support provided specifically for public usage of the cable communications system;

(b) Review the status and progress of each service developed for public benefit;

(c) Reallocate resources jointly with the grantee on a periodic basis to conform with changing priorities and public needs;

(d) Report to the grantor and the grantee annually on the utilization of resources, the new public services developed and the benefits achieved for the grantor and its residents.

The entity shall provide a report to the grantor and the grantee, at least annually, indicating achievements in community-based programming and services.

3-8-604 Reservation by grantor.

The grantor reserves the right, at its discretion, from time to time, to determine if the entity described in Section 3-8-603 above is performing its purposes in a manner satisfactory to the grantor, and if not, the grantor may receive and reallocate all or a portion of the channel capacity, operations appropriation, and capital appropriation, including any facilities and equipment purchased previously with such appropriation, to another entity.

3-8-605 Rates.

The grantee shall establish rates for its services that must be applied fairly and uniformly to all subscribers in the franchise area. The grantor retains the right to regulate rates to the extent permitted by applicable law, and to reinstitute rate regulation if any existing preemption is eliminated in the future.

3-8-606 Annual review of performance and quality of service.

At grantor's sole option, within ninety (90) days of the first anniversary of the effective date of each franchise, and each year thereafter throughout the term of the franchise, the grantor may hold a public hearing at which the grantee shall be present and shall participate, to review the performance and quality of service of the cable communications system. The reports required in Article 15 of this chapter regarding subscriber complaints, the records of performance tests and the opinion survey report shall be utilized as the basis for review. In addition, any subscriber may submit comments or complaints during the review meetings, either orally or in writing, and these shall be considered.

(a) Within thirty (30) days after the conclusion of the public hearing, grantor shall issue a report with respect to the adequacy of system performance and quality of service. If inadequacies are found, grantor may direct grantee to correct the inadequacies within a reasonable period of time.

(b) Failure of grantee, after due notice, to correct the inadequacies shall be considered a breach of the franchise, and grantor may, at its sole discretion, exercise any remedy within the scope of this chapter considered appropriate.

3-8-607 System and services review.

To provide for technological, economic, and regulatory changes in the state of the art of cable communications, to facilitate renewal procedures, to promote the maximum degree of flexibility in the cable system, and to achieve a continuing, advanced modern system, the following system and services review procedures are hereby established:

(a) At grantor's sole option, the grantor may hold a public hearing on or about the third anniversary date of the franchise agreement at which the grantee shall be present and shall participate, to review the cable communications system and services. Subsequent system and services review hearings may be scheduled by the grantor each three (3) years thereafter.

(b) Sixty (60) days prior to the scheduled system and services review hearing, grantee shall submit a report to grantor indicating the following:

(1) All cable system services reported in cable industry trade journals that are being commonly provided on an operational basis, excluding tests and demonstrations, to communities in the United States with comparable populations, that are not provided to the grantor;

(2) Any specific plans for provision of such new services by the grantee, or a justification indicating why grantee believes that such services are not feasible for the franchise area.

(c) Topics for discussion and review at the system and services review hearing shall include but shall not be limited to, services provided, feasibility of providing new services, application of new technologies, system performance, programming, subscriber complaints, user complaints, rights or privacy, amendments to the franchise, undergrounding processes, developments in the law, and regulatory constraints.

(d) Either the grantor or the grantee may select additional topics for discussion at any review hearing.

(e) Not later than sixty (60) days after the conclusion of each system and service review hearing, grantor shall issue a report, including specifically a listing of any cable services not then being provided to the grantor that are considered technically and economically feasible. Grantor may request grantee to provide such services within a reasonable time, under reasonable rates and conditions.

Article 7. General Financing and Insurance Provisions

3-8-701 Construction bond.

(a) Within thirty (30) days after the granting of a new franchise, or a renewal which requires significant system construction, and prior to the commencement of any construction work by the grantee, the grantee shall file with the grantor a construction bond in the amount specified in the franchise agreement in favor of the grantor and any other person who may claim damages as a result of the breach of any duty by the grantee assured by such bond.

(b) Such bond as contemplated herein shall be in the form approved by the grantor and shall, among other matters, cover the cost of removal of any properties installed by the grantee in the event said grantee shall default in the performance of its franchise obligation.

(d) Grantor, at its sole option, may waive this requirement, or permit consolidation of the construction bond with the performance bond and security fund specified, respectively in Sections 3-8-702 and 3-8-703.

(e) Upon completion of construction, any construction bonds then in force shall be released.

3-8-702 Performance bond.

(a) In addition to the construction bond set forth above, the grantee may be required, at least thirty (30) days prior to the commencement of operation, to file with the grantor a performance bond in the amount specified in the franchise agreement in favor of the grantor and any other person who may be entitled to damages as a result of any occurrence in the operation or termination of the cable communications system operated under the franchise agreement and including the payments required to be made to the grantor hereunder.

(b) Such bond as contemplated herein shall be in the form approved by the grantor and shall among other matters cover the cost of removal of any properties installed by the grantee in the event said grantee shall default in the performance of its franchise obligation.

3-8-703 Security fund.

(a) Within thirty (30) days after the effective date of the franchise, the grantee shall deposit into a bank account, established by the grantor and maintain on deposit through the term of this franchise, the sum specified in the franchise agreement, as security for the faithful performance by it of all the provisions of the franchise, and compliance with all orders, permits and directions of any agency of the grantor having jurisdiction over its acts or defaults under this chapter, and the payment by the grantee of any claims, liens and taxes due the grantor which arise by reason of the construction, operation or maintenance of the system.

Subject to the provisions of subsection (d) below, the security fund may be assessed by the grantor for purposes including, but not limited to, the following:

(1) Failure of grantee to pay grantor sums due under the terms of the franchise;

(2) Reimbursement of costs borne by the grantor to correct franchise violations not corrected by grantee, after due notice;

(3) Monetary remedies or damages assessed against grantee due to default or violation of franchise requirements.

(b) At grantor's sole option, some portion of the security fund may be provided in the acceptable form of an irrevocable letter of credit, in lieu of a cash deposit.

(c) Within thirty (30) days after notice to it that any amount has been withdrawn by the grantor from the security fund pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, the grantee shall deposit a sum of money sufficient to restore such security fund to the amount required by the franchise agreement.

(d) If the grantee fails, after thirty (30) days written notice to pay to the grantor any franchise fee or taxes due and unpaid; or, fails to pay to the grantor within such thirty (30) days, any damages, costs or expenses which the grantor shall be compelled to pay by reason of any act or default of the grantee in connection with the franchise; or fails, after thirty (30) days notice of such failure by the grantor to comply with any material provision of the franchise which the grantor reasonably determines can be remedied by an expenditure of the security fund, the grantor may thereafter withdraw the amount thereof, with interest and any penalties, from the security fund. Upon such withdrawal, the grantor shall notify the grantee of the amount and date thereof.

(e) The security fund deposited pursuant to this section shall become the property of the grantor in the event that the franchise is revoked for cause by reason of the default of the grantee in accordance with the procedures of Section 3-8-514 of Article 5 of this chapter. The grantee, however, shall be entitled to the return of such security fund, or portion thereof, as remains on deposit no later than ninety (90) days after the expiration of the term of the franchise, provided that there is then no outstanding default on the part of the grantee. The grantee shall be entitled to any interest accrued on the cash portion of the security fund.

(f) The rights reserved to the grantor with respect to the security fund are in addition to all other rights of the grantor whether reserved by this chapter or authorized by law, and no action, proceeding or exercise of a right with respect to such security fund shall constitute an election of remedies or a waiver of any other right the grantor may have.

3-8-704 Indemnification.

(a) The grantee shall by acceptance of any franchise granted indemnify, defend and hold harmless the grantor, its officers, boards, commissions, agents, and employees from any and all claims, suits, judgments for damages or other relief, costs and attorneys' fees in any way arising out of or through or alleged to arise out of or through:

(1) The act of the grantor in granting the franchise; and

(2) The acts or omissions of grantee, its servants, employees, or agents including, but not limited to, any failure or refusal by grantee, its servants, employees or agents to comply with any obligation or duty imposed on grantee by this chapter or the franchise agreement.

(3) The exercise of any right or privilege granted or permitted by this chapter or the franchise agreement.

Such indemnification shall include, but not be limited to, all claims arising in tort, contracts, infringements of copyright, violations of statutes, ordinances or regulations or otherwise.

(b) In the event any such claims shall arise, the grantor or any other indemnified party shall tender the defense thereof to the grantee. Provided, however, that the grantor in its sole discretion may participate in the defense of such claims at its expense, and in such event, grantee shall not agree to any settlement of claims without grantor approval.

(c) The grantee shall not be required to indemnity the grantor for negligence or willful misconduct on the part of grantor's officials, boards, commissions, agents or employees.

3-8-705 Insurance.

(a) The grantee shall maintain throughout the term of the franchise insurance in amounts at least as follows:

(1) Worker's compensation insurance. In such coverage as may be required by the worker's compensation insurance and safety laws of the State of California and amendments thereto.

(2) Comprehensive general liability. Comprehensive general liability insurance, including, but not limited to, coverage for bodily injury and property damage shall be maintained at the sum(s) specified in the franchise agreement.

(3) Comprehensive automobile liability. Comprehensive automobile liability including, but not limited to, nonownership and hired car coverage as well as owned vehicles with coverage for bodily injury and property damage shall be maintained at the sum(s) specified in the franchise agreement.

(b) The grantee shall furnish the grantor with copies of such insurance policies or certificates of insurance.

(c) Such insurance policies provided for herein shall name the grantor, its officers, boards, commissions, agents, and employees as additional insured, and shall be primary to any insurance carried by grantor, and shall contain the following endorsement:

It is hereby understood and agreed that this insurance policy may not be canceled by the surety or the intention not to renew be stated by the surety until thirty (30) days after receipt by the City by registered mail or written notice of such intention to cancel or not renew.

(d) The minimum amounts set forth in the franchise agreement for such insurance shall not be construed to limit the liability of the grantee to the grantor under the franchise issued hereunder to the amounts of such insurance.

(e) All insurance carriers providing coverage under (a) above shall be duly licensed to operate in the State of California.

Article 8. Design and Construction Provisions

3-8-801 System design.

The cable communications system shall be constructed in accordance with the design requirements contained in the franchise agreement.

3-8-802 Geographical coverage.

The grantee shall design and construct the cable system in such a manner as to have the capability to pass by every single-family dwelling unit, multiple-family dwelling unit, school and public agency within the franchise area. Service shall be provided to subscribers in accordance with the schedules and line extension policies specified in the franchise agreement. Cable system construction and provision of service shall be nondiscriminatory, and grantee shall not delay or defer service to any section of the franchise area on the grounds of economic preference.

3-8-803 Cablecasting facilities.

The grantee shall provide cablecasting facilities in accordance with the requirements of the franchise agreement.

3-8-804 System construction schedule.

(a) The grantee shall comply with the requirements of the system construction schedule contained in the franchise agreement.

(b) The grantee shall provide a detailed construction plan indicating progress schedule, area construction maps, test plan, and projected dates for offering service. In addition, the grantee shall update this information on a monthly basis, by submitting a copy of its normal internal progress reports, showing specifically whether schedules are being met and the reasons for any delay.

3-8-805 Remedies for delay in construction.

The grantor may at its sole option, apply any or all of the remedies in connection with delays in system construction as specified in Article 14 of this chapter.

3-8-806 Provision of service.

After service has been established by activating trunk and distribution cables for any area, the grantee shall provide service to any requesting subscriber within that area within thirty (30) days from the date of request.

3-8-807 Undergrounding of cable.

The undergrounding of cable is encouraged. In any event, cables shall be installed underground at grantee's cost where utilities are already underground, or where required by law. Previously installed aerial cable shall be undergrounded and relocated in concern with other utilities, when such other utilities convert from aerial to underground construction.

3-8-808 New development undergrounding.

In cases of new construction or property development where utilities are to be placed underground, upon request by the grantee, the developer or property owner shall give grantee at least seventy-two (72) hours notice of the particular date on which open trenching will be available for grantee's installation of conduit, pedestals and/or vaults to be provided at grantee's expense. Grantee shall also provide specifications as needed for trenching.

Costs of trenching and easements required to bring service to the development shall be borne by the developer or property owner; except that if grantee fails to install its conduit, pedestals and/or vaults within five (5) working days of the date of the trenches are available, as designated in the notice given by the developer or property owner, then if the trenches are closed after the five (5) day period, the cost of new trenching is to be borne by grantee.

3-8-809 Street occupancy.

(a) Grantee shall utilize existing poles, conduits and other facilities whenever possible and economically feasible, and shall not construct or install any new, different, or additional poles, conduits, or other facilities whether on public property or on privately owned property until the written approval of the grantor is obtained.

(b) Grantee shall notify the grantor at least ten (10) days prior to the intention of the grantee to commence any construction in any streets. The grantor shall cooperate with the grantee in granting any permits required, providing such grant and subsequent construction by the grantee shall not unduly interfere with the use of such streets and that proposed construction shall be done in accordance with the pertinent provisions of the ordinances of the grantor.

(c) All transmission lines, equipment and structure shall be so installed and located as to cause minimum interference with the rights and reasonable convenience of property owners and at all times, shall be kept and maintained in a safe, adequate and substantial condition, and in good order and repair. The grantee shall, at all times, employ ordinary care and shall install and maintain in use commonly accepted methods and devices for preventing failures and accidents which are likely to cause damage, injuries, or nuisances to the public. Suitable barricades, flags, lights, flares or other devices shall be used at such times and places as are reasonably required for the safety of all members of the public. Any poles or other fixtures placed in any public way by the grantee shall be placed in such a manner as not to interfere with the usual travel on such public way.

(d) Grantee shall, at its own expense, and in a manner approved by the grantor, restore to grantor standards and specifications any damage or disturbance caused to the public way as a result of its operations or construction on its behalf.

(e) Whenever, in case of fire or other disaster, it becomes necessary in the judgment of the grantor to remove any of the grantee's facilities, no charge shall be made by the grantee against the grantor for restoration and repair.

(f) Grantee shall have the authority to trim trees on public property at its own expense as may be necessary to protect its wires and facilities, subject to the supervision and direction of the grantor.

(g) Upon receipt of thirty (30) days written notice, the grantee at its expense shall protect, support, temporarily disconnect, relocate, or remove any property of grantee when, in the opinion of the grantor the same is required by reason of traffic conditions, public safety, street vacation, freeway or street grade, separation or realignment, installation of sewers, drains, waterpipes, power line, signal line, transportation facilities, tracks, or any other types of structure or improvements by governmental agencies whether acting in a governmental or a proprietary capacity, or any other structure or public improvement, including but not limited to movement of buildings, redevelopment, or any general program under which the grantor shall undertake to cause any such properties to be located beneath the surface of the ground. Nothing hereunder shall be deemed a taking of the property of grantee and grantee shall be entitled to no surcharge by reason of anything hereunder.

(h) After receipt of thirty (30) days written notice, upon failure of grantee to commence, pursue or complete any work required by law or by the provisions of this chapter to be done in any street, within the time prescribed and to the satisfaction of the grantor, the grantor may, at its option, cause such work to be done and the grantee shall pay to the grantor the cost thereof in the itemized amounts reported by the grantor to grantee within thirty (30) days after receipt of such itemized report.

(i) The grantee shall make no paving cuts or curb cuts unless absolutely necessary, and only after written permission has been given by the grantor.

(j) Grantor reserves the right to require conduit for underground cabling in special areas.

3-8-810 Construction and Technical Standards.

(a) Construction standards.

(1) Grantor codes and permits. Grantee shall comply with all applicable grantor construction codes and permits procedures. Grantor shall be entitled to charge reasonable permit and inspection fees to recover the special nonrecurring inspection costs imposed by the construction of the cable system.

(2) Compliance with safety codes. All construction practices shall be in accordance with all applicable sections of Federal and State Occupational Safety and Health Acts and any amendments thereto as well as all State and local codes where applicable.

(3) Compliance with electrical codes. All installation of electronic equipment shall be of a permanent nature, durable and installed in accordance with the provisions of the National Electrical Code as amended, and all applicable State and local codes.

(4) Antennas and towers. Antenna supporting structures (towers) shall be designed for the proper loading as specified in Electronics Industry Association's R.S.222-A specifications, and provisions of the Uniform Building Code, as modified.

(5) Compliance with aviation requirements. Antenna supporting structures (towers) shall be painted, lighted, erected and maintained in accordance with all applicable rules and regulations of the Federal Aviation Administration and all other applicable State or local codes and regulations.

(6) Construction standards and requirements. All of the grantee's plant and equipment, including but not limited to, the antenna site, headend and distribution system towers, house connections, structures, poles, wire, cable, coaxial cable, fixtures and appurtenances shall be installed, located, erected, constructed, reconstructed, replaced, removed, repaired, maintained and operated in accordance with good engineering practices, performed by experienced maintenance and construction personnel so as not to endanger or interfere in any manner with the rights of any property owner, or to hinder or obstruct pedestrian or vehicular traffic.

(7) Safety, nuisance, requirements. The grantee shall at all times employ professional care and shall install and maintain in use commonly accepted methods and devices preventing failures and accidents which are likely to cause damage, injury or nuisance to the public.

(b) Technical standards. The cable communications system shall meet all technical and performance standards contained in the franchise agreement.

(c) Test and compliance procedure. The grantee shall submit, within sixty (60) days after the effective date of the franchise agreement, a detailed test plan describing the methods and schedules for testing the cable communications system on an ongoing basis to determine compliance with the provisions of the franchise agreement. The tests for basic cable services shall be performed at intervals no greater than twelve (12) months. The tests may be witnessed by representatives of the grantor, and written test reports shall be submitted to the grantor. If more than ten (10%) percent of the locations tested fail to meet the performance standards, the grantee shall be required to indicate what corrective measures have been taken, and the entire test shall be repeated. A second failure of more than ten (10%) percent may result, at the grantor's option, in appropriate remedies.

(d) Special tests. At any time after commencement of service to subscribers the grantor may require additional tests, full or partial repeat tests, different test procedures, or tests involving a specific subscriber's terminal. Requests for such additional tests will be made on the basis of complaints received or other evidence indicating an unresolved controversy or significant noncompliance, and such tests shall be limited to the particular matter in controversy. The grantor shall endeavor to so arrange its requests for such special tests so as to minimize hardship or inconvenience to grantee or to the subscriber.

(e) Cost of tests. The cost of all tests required by subsections (c) and (d) above, and retesting as necessary, shall be borne by the grantee.

3-8-811 Areawide interconnection.

(a) Interconnection. The grantor may request grantee to interconnect public usage channels of the cable communications system with any or all other cable systems in adjacent areas. Interconnection of systems shall permit interactive transmission and reception of program material, and may be done by direct cable connection, microwave link, satellite, or other appropriate method.

(b) Interconnection procedure. Upon receiving the request of the grantor to interconnect, the grantee shall immediately initiate negotiations with the other affected system or systems, and shall report to the grantor the results of such negotiation no later than sixty (60) days after initiation.

(c) Relief. The grantee may be granted reasonable extensions of time to interconnect or the grantor may rescind its request to interconnect upon petition by the grantee to the grantor, if the grantor finds that the grantee has negotiated in good faith and has failed to obtain an approval from the system or systems of the proposed interconnection, or that the cost of the interconnection would cause an unreasonable or unacceptable increase in subscriber rates.

(d) Cooperation required. The grantee shall cooperate with any interconnection corporation, regional interconnection authority or City, County, State or Federal regulatory agency which may be hereafter established for the purpose of regulating, financing, or otherwise providing for the interconnection of cable systems beyond the boundaries of the franchise area.

Article 9. Service Provisions

3-8-901 Local origination channel(s).

If local origination programming is provided, the grantee shall operate any cablecasting studios on a high-quality, professional basis for the purpose of providing cablecast programming responsive to local needs and interests.

3-8-902 Public, educational and government (PEG) access facilities.

The grantee shall provide the PEG access facilities including channel capacity, necessary interface equipment and cabling to permit operation as specified in the franchise agreement.

3-8-903 Cable channels for commercial use.

The grantee shall designate channel capacity for commercial use as required by applicable law.

3-8-904 Universal connection.

In order to provide a service related to the public health, safety or welfare, the grantor may require that all dwelling units within the franchise area shall be connected physically to the cable system by the grantee by means of drop cables terminating at each dwelling unit, whether or not the dwelling unit's occupants desire to subscribe to cable service. The cost and charges shall be determined by the grantor at the time such connection is required. Grantee shall be entitled to recover the incremental cost of providing a universal connection.

Article 10. Consumer Protection

3-8-1001 Consumer service standards.

The grantee shall maintain a local office to provide the necessary facilities, equipment and personnel to comply with the following consumer standards under normal conditions of operation:

(a) Sufficient toll-free telephone line capacity during normal business hours to assure that a minimum of ninety (90%) percent of all callers for service will not be required to wait more than two (2) minutes before being connected to a service representative.

(b) Emergency toll-free telephone line capacity on a twenty-four (24) hour basis, including weekends and holidays.

(c) A business and service office, within the City, open during normal business hours and at least three (3) hours per week on other than normal business hours and adequately staffed to accept subscriber payments and respond to service requests and complaints.

(d) An emergency system maintenance and repair staff, capable of responding to and repairing major system malfunction on a twenty-four (24) hour basis.

(e) An installation staff, capable of installing service to any subscriber within seven (7) days after receipt of a request, in all areas where trunk and feeder cable have been activated.

(f) Grantee shall schedule, within a specified four (4) hour time period, all appointments with subscribers for installation or service.

3-8-1002 Requests for cable service and repairs.

(a) The grantee shall render efficient service, make repairs promptly, and interrupt service only for good cause and for the shortest time possible. Scheduled interruptions, insofar as possible, shall be preceded by notice and shall occur during period of minimum use of the system, preferably between midnight and six a.m. A written log or an equivalent stored in computer memory and capable of access and reproduction, shall be maintained for all service interruptions and requests for cable service as required by Section 3-8-1505 of Article 15 of this chapter.

(b) The grantee shall maintain a repair force of technicians normally capable of responding to subscriber requests for service within the following time frames:

(1) System outage. Within two (2) hours, including weekends, of receiving subscriber calls which by number identify a system outage of sound or picture of one or more channels, affecting all the subscribers of the system or a considerable number thereof.

(2) Isolated outage. Within twenty-four (24) hours, including weekends, of receiving requests for service identifying an isolated outage of sound or picture for one or more channels.

(3) Inferior reception quality. Within forty-eight (48) hours, including weekends, of receiving a request for service identifying a problem concerning picture or sound quality.

Grantee shall be deemed to have responded to a request for service under the provisions of this section when a technician arrives at the service location and begins work on the problem. In the case of a subscriber not being home when the technician arrives, response shall be deemed to have taken place if the technician leaves written notification of arrival.

No charge shall be made to the subscriber for any service call unless the service request can be demonstrated to be both repeated and noncable system in origin, or to involve subscriber negligence.

3-8-1003 Verification or standards.

Upon reasonable notice, the grantee shall demonstrate compliance with any or all of the standards required in Sections 3-8-1001 and 3-8-1002 of this article. The grantee shall provide sufficient detail to permit the grantor to verify the extent of compliance.

3-8-1004 Noncompliance with standards.

A repeated and verifiable pattern of noncompliance with the consumer protection standards of Sections 3-8-1001 and 3-8-1002 of this article, after grantee receipt of due notice and an opportunity to cure, may be termed a breach of the franchise, subject to any and all remedies as prescribed in Article 14 of this chapter and applicable law.

3-8-1005 Complaint procedure.

(a) Complaints to grantee. Grantee shall establish written procedures for receiving, acting upon and resolving subscriber complaints without intervention by the grantor. The written procedures shall prescribe the manner in which a subscriber may submit a complaint either orally or in writing that grantee has violated any provision of this chapter, or the terms and conditions of the subscriber's contract with grantee. At the conclusion of grantee's investigation of a subscriber complaint, but in no event more than ten (10) days after receiving the complaint, grantee shall notify the subscriber and the grantor in writing of the results of the investigation and its proposed action or resolution, if any. The grantee shall also notify the subscriber of the subscriber's right to file a complaint with the grantor in the event the subscriber is dissatisfied with the grantee's decision. Grantee's procedures shall be filed with the grantor. No other proceedings to resolve subscriber complaints shall be undertaken until the procedure established by this section has been exhausted.

(b) Complaints to grantor. A subscriber who is dissatisfied with grantee's proposed decision or who was not sent a written decision within the ten (10) day period shall be entitled to have the complaint reviewed by the grantor. The subscriber shall initiate the review by filing a written complaint together with the grantee's written decision, if any, with the grantor and by the grantor notifying the grantee of the filing. The subscriber shall make such filing and notification within twenty (20) days of receipt of grantee's decision or, if no grantee decision has been provided, within thirty (30) days after filing the original complaint with grantee. The grantor may extend these time limits for reasonable cause.

3-8-1006 Review by the grantor.

The grantor shall determine, solely upon a review of a subscriber complaint and the grantee's decision, if any, whether further action is warranted. In the event the grantor does not initiate further proceedings within fifteen (15) days of the filing of the complaint, the grantee's proposed action or resolution shall be final. If the grantor decides to initiate further investigation, the grantor shall require the grantee and the subscriber to submit, within ten (10) days of notice thereof, a written statement of the facts and arguments in support of their respective positions. The grantee or the subscriber may request in such statement that a hearing be conducted by the grantor. A hearing if requested shall be conducted by the grantor following notice in writing specifying the time and place for such hearing. The hearing shall be conducted informally, and the parties may offer any evidence pertinent to the dispute. The parties shall produce any additional evidence, including testing reports from the grantee, which the grantor may deem necessary to an understanding and determination of the dispute. The grantor shall issue a written decision within fifteen (15) days of receipt of the written statements or, if a hearing is requested, within fifteen (15) days of the conclusion of the hearing, setting forth the basis of the decision. The decision may be appealed to the City Council. The Council's decision shall be final unless appealed by the grantee to arbitration.

3-8-1007 Escrow account.

The grantor may, at its sole discretion, establish an escrow account wherein a subscriber may deposit a disputed portion of the subscriber's monthly service charge. If a subscriber either continues to make full and timely payment of all monthly service charges to grantee or deposits any disputed portion of such monthly service charges to said escrow account, grantee shall not discontinue service during the pendency of a complaint submitted under the provision of this chapter. Any amount deposited in the escrow account shall be paid to the grantee or subscriber in accordance with a final determination of a complaint.

3-8-1008 Remedies for violations.

The grantor may, as a part of a subscriber complaint decision issued under the provisions of this chapter, impose damages on the grantee as specified in the franchise agreement. Damages may be imposed only if the grantor finds that the grantee has arbitrarily refused or failed without justification to comply with the provisions of this article.

3-8-1009 Notices.

(a) Operating policies. As subscribers are connected or reconnected to the cable system, and at least once annually thereafter, the grantee shall provide each subscriber with written information concerning the procedures for making inquiries or complaints, including the name, address and local telephone number of the employee or employees or agent to whom such inquiries or complaints are to be addressed, and also furnish information concerning the grantor office responsible for administration of the franchise with the name and telephone number of the office. The notice shall also indicate grantee's business hours, legal holidays and procedures for responding to inquiries after normal business hours.

The grantee shall provide all subscribers and the grantor written notice no less than thirty (30) days prior to any proposed change in these policies.

(b) Rates and services. The grantee shall provide all subscribers and the grantor with at least thirty (30) days written notice prior to the implementation of any change in rates or programming services.

3-8-1010 Quality of service.

The overall quality of service provided by grantee to subscribers may be subject to evaluation by grantor, not less often than once annually, in conjunction with the annual review set forth in Section 3-8-606. In addition, grantor may evaluate the quality of service at any time, based upon the number of subscriber complaints received by the grantee and the grantor, and grantee's response to those complaints. Grantor's evaluation that service quality is inadequate may lead to direction to grantee to cure the inadequacies. Grantee shall commence corrective action within thirty (30) days after receipt of written notice. Failure to do so shall be deemed to be a breach of the franchise and subject to the remedies prescribed in Article 14 of this chapter. Grantor, after due process, may utilize the performance bond and/or security fund of Sections 3-8-702 and 3-8-703 of Article 7 of this chapter, respectively, to remedy any such franchise breach.

3-8-1011 Tenant rights.

It is grantor's intent that tenants not be discriminated against in the ability to subscribe to cable services. Grantee shall be required to provide service to tenants in individual units of a multiple housing facility with all services offered to other dwelling units within the franchise area, so long as the owner of the facility consents in writing, if requested by grantee, to the following:

(a) To Grantee's providing the service to units of the facility;

(b) To reasonable conditions and time for installation, maintenance, and inspection of the system on the facility premises;

(c) To reasonable conditions promulgated by grantee to protect grantee's equipment and to encourage widespread use of the system; and

(d) To not discriminate in rental charges, or otherwise, between tenants who receive cable service and those who do not.

3-8-1012 Grantee rules and regulations.

The grantee shall have the authority to promulgate such rules, regulations, terms and conditions governing the conduct of its business as shall be reasonably necessary to enable the grantee to exercise its rights and perform its obligations under the franchise, and to assure an uninterrupted service to each and all of its customers. Provided, however, that such rules, regulations, terms and conditions shall not be in conflict with the provisions hereof or applicable State and Federal laws, rules and regulations.

3-8-1013 Rights of individuals.

(a) Grantee shall not deny service, deny access, or otherwise discriminate against subscribers, PEG access channel users, or general citizens on the basis of income, race, color, religion, national origin, age or sex. Grantee shall comply at all times with all other applicable Federal, State and local laws and regulations, and all executive and administrative orders relating to nondiscrimination which are hereby incorporated and made part of this chapter by reference.

(b) Grantee shall strictly adhere to the equal employment opportunity requirements of Federal, State and local law and regulations in effect on the date of the franchise grant, and as amended from time to time.

(d) Fairness of accessibility. The entire system of the grantee shall be operated in a manner consistent with the principle 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 system, and no one shall be arbitrarily excluded from its use.

3-8-1014 Continuity or service mandatory.

(a) It shall be the right of all subscribers to continue receiving service insofar as their financial and other obligations to the grantee are honored. In the event that the grantee elects to overbuild, rebuild, modify, or sell the system, or the grantor gives notice of intent to terminate or fails to renew this franchise, the grantee shall act so as to ensure that all subscribers receive continuous, uninterrupted service.

In the event of a change of grantee, or in the event a new operator acquires the system, the original grantee shall cooperate with the grantor, new grantee or operator in maintaining continuity of service to all subscribers. During such period, grantee shall be entitled to the revenues for any period during which it operates the system, and shall be entitled to reasonable costs for its services when it no longer operates the system.

(b) In the event grantee falls to operate the system for seven (7) consecutive days without prior approval of the grantor or without just cause, the grantor may, at its option, operate the system or designate an operator until such time as grantee restores service under conditions acceptable to the grantor or a permanent operator is selected. If the grantor is required to fulfill this obligation for the grantee, then during such period as the grantor fulfills such obligation, the grantor shall be entitled to collect all revenues from the system, and the grantee shall reimburse the grantor for all reasonable costs or damages in excess of the revenues collected by the grantor that are the result of the grantee's failure to perform.

3-8-1015 Identification of employees.

Every employee of the grantee or its contractors or subcontractors shall be clearly identified on sight to the public as a representative of the grantee. Every vehicle of the grantee or its contractors or subcontractors shall be similarly identified. The grantee's telephone number shall also be clearly marked on all such vehicles.

Article 11. Operation and Maintenance

3-8-1101 Open books and records.

The grantee shall manage all of its operations in accordance with a policy of totally open books and records. The grantor, upon reasonable notice, shall have the right to inspect at any time during normal business hours, all books, records, maps, plans, service complaint logs, performance test results and other like materials of the grantee which relate to the operation of the franchise and are maintained at the local office required by Section 3-8-1001 of Article 10 of this chapter, provided that the grantor shall maintain the confidentiality of any trade secrets or other proprietary information in the possession of the grantee and provided further, that records shall be exempt from inspection pursuant to this section to the extent required by applicable law regarding subscriber privacy and to the extent such records are protected by law regarding subscriber privacy and to the extent such records are protected by law against discovery in civil litigation.

If any of such books or records are not kept in the local office, or upon reasonable request made available to the grantor, and if the grantor shall determine that an examination of such records is necessary or appropriate to the performance of any of grantor's duties, then all travel and maintenance expense necessarily incurred in making such examination shall be paid by grantee.

3-8-1102 Records required.

In any event the grantee shall at all times maintain:

(a) The complaint file required by Section 3-8-1505 of Article 15 of this chapter.

(b) A full and complete set of plans, records and "as-built" maps showing the exact location of all cable communications system equipment installed or in use in the franchise area, exclusive of subscriber service drops.

Article 12. Rights Reserved to the Grantor

3-8-1201 Right of inspection of construction.

The grantor shall have the right to inspect all construction or installation work performed subject to the provisions of the franchise and to make such tests as it shall find necessary to ensure compliance with the terms of this franchise and other pertinent provisions of law.

3-8-1202 Right of intervention.

The grantor shall have the right of intervention in any suit or proceeding involving the cable system franchise to which the grantee is party, and the grantee shall not oppose such intervention by the grantor.

Article 13. Rights Reserved to the Grantee

3-8-1301 Right of grantee.

In the event of any dispute between grantee and grantor over this chapter or the franchise agreement, or with respect to any rights or obligations arising therefrom, grantee shall first pursue and exhaust all available administrative remedies. Thereafter grantee may pursue any appropriate legal action.

Article 14. Franchise Violations

3-8-1401 Remedies for franchise violations.

If the grantee fails to perform any material obligation under the franchise, or fails to do so in a timely manner, the grantor may at its option, and in its sole discretion:

(a) Assess against the grantee monetary damages up to the limits established in the franchise agreement for material franchise violations, said assessment to be levied against the security fund, hereinabove provided, and collected by grantor after completion of the procedures specified in Section 3-8-1402 of this article. The amount of such assessment shall be deemed to represent liquidation of damages actually sustained by grantor by reason of grantee's failure to perform. Such assessment shall not constitute a waiver by the grantor of any other right or remedy it may have under the franchise or under applicable law, including without limitation, its right to recover from grantee such additional damages, losses, costs and expenses, including actual attorney fees, as may have been suffered or incurred by grantor by reason of or arising out of such breach of the franchise. This provision for assessment of damages is intended by the parties to be separate and apart from grantor's right to enforce the provisions of the construction and performance bonds provided for in Article 7 of this chapter, and is intended to provide compensation to grantor for actual damages.

(b) Terminate the franchise, for any of the causes stated in Article 5 of this chapter.

(c) No remedy shall be imposed by grantor against grantee for any violation of the franchise without grantee being afforded due process of law, as provided for in Section 3-8-1402 of this article.

Grantor may impose any or all of the above enumerated measures against grantee, which shall be in addition to any and all other legal or equitable remedies it has under the franchise or under any applicable law.

3-8-1402 Procedure for remedying franchise violations.

In the event that the grantor determines that the grantee has violated any material provision of the franchise, the grantor may make a written demand on the grantee that it remedy such violation. If the violation is not remedied, or in the process of being remedied, to the satisfaction of the grantor within thirty (30) days following such demand, the grantor shall determine whether or not such violation by the grantee was excusable or inexcusable, in accordance with the following procedure:

(a) An administrative hearing shall be held to review the alleged violation. If this hearing does not result in a satisfactory resolution, and/or the grantee requests a public hearing, then a public hearing shall be held, and the grantee shall be provided with an opportunity to be heard upon thirty (30) days written notice to the grantee of the time and the place of the hearing provided and the allegations of franchise violations.

(b) If, after notice is given and, at the grantee's option, a full public proceeding is held, the grantor determines that such violation by the grantee was excusable as provided in section 3-8-1403 of this article, the grantor shall direct the grantee to correct or remedy the same within such additional time, in such manner and upon such terms and conditions as the grantor may reasonably direct.

(c) If, after notice is given and, at the grantee's option, a full public proceeding is held, the grantor determines that such violation was inexcusable, then the grantor may impose a remedy in accordance with Section 3-8-1401 of this article.

3-8-1403 Force majeure: Grantee's inability to perform.

In the event grantee's performance of any of the terms, conditions, obligations, or requirements of the franchise is prevented or impaired due to any cause beyond its reasonable control or not reasonably foreseeable, such inability to perform shall be deemed to be excused and no penalties or sanctions shall be imposed as a result thereof, provided grantee has notified grantor in writing within thirty (30) days of its discovery of the occurrence of such an event. Such causes beyond grantee's reasonable control or not reasonably foreseeable shall include, but shall not be limited to, Acts of God and civil emergencies.

Grantor and grantee, in the franchise agreement, may mutually define those conditions deemed subject to force majeure application.

Article 15. Reports

3-8-1501 Annual reports.

Within 120 days after the close of grantee's fiscal year, the grantee may be required to submit a written annual report, in a form requested by the grantor, including, but not limited to, the following information:

(a) A summary of the previous year's (or, in the case of the initial report year, the initial year's) activities in development of the cable system, including, but not limited to, services begun or discontinued during the reporting year, and the number of subscribers for each class of service.

(b) A revenue statement, audited by an independent certified public accountant, or certified by an officer of the grantee.

(d) A list of grantee's officers, members of its boards of directors, and other principals of grantee;

(e) A list of stockholders or other equity investors holding five (5%) percent or more of the voting interest in the grantee and its parent, subsidiary and affiliated corporations and other entities, if any, unless the parent is a public corporation whose annual reports are publicly available.

3-8-1502 Plant survey report.

At the grantor's request, grantee shall submit to the grantor an annual plant survey report which shall be a complete survey of the grantee's plans and a full report thereon. Said report shall include, but not be limited to, a description and "as-built" maps of the portions of the franchise area that have been cabled and have all services available, and an appropriate system performance test. Said test shall be in sufficient detail to enable the grantor to ascertain that the service requirements and technical standards of the franchise are achieved and maintained. If grantor has reason to believe that portions or all of the system do not meet the technical standards incorporated into the franchise agreement, at grantor's request, but no more often than once per three (3) years, the grantee and the grantor shall agree upon the appointment of a qualified independent engineer to evaluate and verify the technical performance of the cable system. The cost of such evaluation shall be borne equally by the grantee and the grantor.

3-8-1503 Copies of Federal and State reports.

The grantee may be required to submit to the grantor copies of all pleadings, applications, notifications, communications and documents of any kind, submitted by the grantee to, as well as copies of all decisions, correspondence and actions by, any Federal, State and local courts, regulatory agencies and other government bodies relating to its cable television operations within the franchise area. Grantee shall submit such documents to the grantor no later than thirty (30) days after receipt of a grantor request. The grantee hereby waives any right to claim confidential, privileged or proprietary rights to such documents unless such confidential rights are determined to be confidential by law or by the practices of Federal or State agencies. Such confidential data exempt from public disclosure shall be retained in confidence by the grantor and its authorized agents and shall not be made available for public inspection.

3-8-1504 Public reports.

A copy of each of grantee's annual and other periodic public financial reports and those of its parent, subsidiary and affiliated corporation and other entities, as the grantor requests, shall be submitted to the grantor within thirty (30) days after receipt of a request.

3-8-1505 Complaint file and reports.

An accurate and comprehensive file shall be kept by the grantee of any and all complaints regarding the cable system. A procedure shall be established by the grantee by the time of installation of the cable system to remedy complaints quickly and reasonably to the satisfaction of the grantor. Complete records of grantee's actions in response to all complaints shall be kept. These files and records shall remain open to the public during normal business hours, so that individuals are able to inspect their own files.

(a) A summary of service requests, identifying the number and nature of the requests and their disposition, upon grantor request, shall be completed for each month and submitted to the grantor by the tenth day of the succeeding month;

(b) A log and summary of all service interruptions;

(c) If requested by the grantor, the results of an annual opinion survey report which identifies satisfaction or dissatisfaction among subscribers with cable communications services offered by the grantee shall be submitted to the grantor no later than two (2) months after the end of grantee's fiscal year. The surveys required to make said report shall be in a form that can be transmitted to subscribers with one or more bills for service, such as postage-paid self-addressed post cards. At the grantor's option, the grantor may prepare the survey form and request its inclusion with a monthly bill to subscribers.

3-8-1506 Miscellaneous reports.

Grantee shall submit to the grantor such other information or reports in such forms and at such times as the grantor may reasonably request or require.

3-8-1507 Inspection or facilities.

The grantee shall allow the grantor to make inspections of any of the grantee's facilities and equipment at any time upon at least ten (10) days notice, or, in case of emergency, upon demand without prior notice, to allow grantor to verify the accuracy of any submitted report.

3-8-1508 Public inspection.

All reports subject to public disclosure, shall be available for public inspection at a designated grantor office during normal business hours.

3-8-1509 Failure to report.

The willful refusal, failure, or neglect of the grantee to file any of the reports reasonably required, or such other reports as the grantor reasonably may request, may be deemed a material breach of the franchise, and may subject the grantee to all remedies, legal or equitable, which are available to the grantor under the franchise or otherwise.

3-8-1510 False statements.

Any materially false or misleading statement or representation made knowingly and willfully by the grantee in any report required under the franchise may be deemed a material breach of the franchise and may subject the grantee to all remedies, legal or equitable, which are available to the grantor under the franchise or otherwise.

3-8-1511 Cost of reports.

One copy of all reports and records required under this or any other article shall be furnished at the sole expense of the grantee.

Article 16. Miscellaneous Provisions

3-8-1601 Compliance with State and Federal laws.

Notwithstanding any other provisions of the franchise to the contrary, the grantee shall at all times comply with all laws and regulations of the State and Federal government or any administrative agencies thereof. Provided, however, if any such State or Federal law or regulation shall require the grantee to perform any service, or shall permit the grantee to perform any service, or shall prohibit the grantee from performing any service, in conflict with the terms of the franchise or any law or regulation of the grantor, then as soon as possible following knowledge thereof, the grantee shall notify the grantor of the point of conflict believed to exist between such regulation or law and the laws or regulations of the grantor or the franchise.

3-8-1602 Separability: Nonmaterial provisions.

If any provision of this chapter or any related agreements is held by any court or by any Federal, State, or local agency of competent jurisdiction to be invalid as conflicting with any Federal, State or local law, rule or regulation now or hereafter in effect, or is held by such court or agency to be modified in any way in order to conform to the requirements of any such law, rule or regulation, and if said provision is considered nonmaterial by the grantor, said provision shall be considered a separate, distinct and independent part of this chapter, and such holding shall not affect the validity and enforceability of all other provisions hereof. In the event that such law, rule or regulation is subsequently repealed, rescinded, amended or otherwise changed, so that the provision hereof or thereof which has been held invalid or modified is no longer in conflict with the law, rules and regulations then in effect, said provision shall thereupon return to full force and effect, and shall thereafter be binding on the parties hereto, provided that the grantor shall give the grantee thirty (30) days written notice of such change before requiring compliance with said provision.

3-8-1603 Separability: Material provisions.

If any material section of this chapter, as determined by the grantor and the grantee, is held to be invalid or preempted by Federal, State or County regulations or laws, resulting in a material adverse consequence to either party, the grantor and grantee shall attempt to negotiate appropriate modifications to the franchise to provide reasonable relief to the grantor or grantee from such invalidity or preemption, including the payment of damages. If the parties are unable to reach agreement on such modifications, then the dispute shall be submitted to a mutually agreeable arbitrator, in accordance with State law, who shall determine what modifications and/or liquidated damages are appropriate. The arbitrator's decision shall be binding on the parties, provided, that no decision of the arbitrator shall require the grantor or grantee to be in violation of any Federal or State law or regulation.

3-8-1604 Notices.

Grantee shall maintain throughout the term of the franchise, a local address for service of notices by mail.

3-8-1605 Captions.

The captions to sections throughout this chapter are intended solely to facilitate reading and reference. Such captions shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of this chapter.

3-8-1606 No recourse against the grantor.

The grantee shall have no recourse whatsoever against the grantor or its officials, boards, commissions, agents, or employees for any loss, costs, expenses, or damage arising out of any provision or requirement of the franchise or because of the enforcement of the franchise.

3-8-1607 Nonenforcement by the grantor.

The grantee shall not be relieved of its obligation to comply with any of the provisions of this chapter by reason of any failure of the grantor to enforce prompt compliance.

Article 17. Regulation of State Video
Franchise Holders

3-8-1701 Fees for support of PEG activities.*

A fee paid to the City is hereby established for the support of public, educational, and governmental access facilities and activities within the City. Unless a higher percentage is authorized by applicable State or Federal law, this fee shall not exceed one (1%) percent. This fee is applicable to a State video franchise holder operating within the City, which shall pay to the City one percent (1%) of its gross revenue, as defined in California Public Utilities Code Section 5860.

(1099-CS, Added, 10/25/2007)

* Code reviser’s note: Ordinances 1248-CS and 1249-CS (urgency ordinance) reauthorize PEG fees, stating “The City’s fees for support of PEG activities authorized by Section 3-8-1701 of the Turlock Municipal Code is hereby reauthorized to the extent required by California Public Utilities Code Section 5870(n). All state franchises operating within the City shall continue to collect and remit the PEG fees to City as required by Section 3-8-1701.”

3-8-1702 Special provisions applicable to holders of State video franchises.

(a) Franchise Fee. A State video franchise holder operating in the City shall pay to the City a franchise fee that is equal to five (5%) percent of the gross revenues of that State video franchise holder. The term "gross revenues" shall be defined as set forth in Public Utilities Code Section 5860.

(b) Audit Authority. Not more than once annually, the City may examine and perform an audit of the business records of a holder of a State video franchise to ensure compliance with all applicable statutes and regulations related to the computation and payment of franchise fees.

(1) The holder of a State video franchise shall comply with all applicable State and Federal customer service and protection standards pertaining to the provision of video service.

(2) The City shall monitor State video franchise holder's compliance with State and Federal customer service and protection standards. The City will provide to the State video franchise holder written notice of any material breaches of applicable customer service and protection standards, and will allow the State video franchise holder thirty (30) days from receipt of the notice to remedy the specified material breach. Material breaches not remedied within the thirty (30) day time period will be subject to the following monetary penalties to be imposed by the City in accordance with State law:

(i) For the first occurrence of a violation, a monetary penalty of Five Hundred and no/100ths ($500.00) Dollars shall be imposed for each day the violation remains in effect, not to exceed one thousand, Five Hundred and no/100ths ($1,500.00) Dollars for each violation.

(ii) For a second violation of the same nature within twelve (12) months, a monetary penalty of One Thousand and no/100ths ($1,000.00) Dollars shall be imposed for each day the violation remains in effect, not to exceed Three Thousand and no/100ths ($3,000.00) Dollars for each violation.

(iii) For a third or further violation of the same nature within twelve (12) months, a monetary penalty of Two Thousand, Five Hundred and no/100ths ($2,500.00) Dollars shall be imposed for each day the violation remains in effect, not to exceed Seven Thousand, Five Hundred and no/100ths ($7,500.00) Dollars for each violation.

(3) A State video franchise holder may appeal a monetary penalty assessed by the City within sixty (60) days. After relevant evidence and testimony is received, and staff reports are submitted, the City Council will vote to either uphold or vacate the monetary penalty. The City Council's decision on the imposition of a monetary penalty shall be final.

(d) PEG Channel Capacity. A State video franchise holder that uses the public rights-of-way shall designate sufficient capacity on its network to enable the carriage of at least three (3) public, educational, or governmental (PEG) access channels.

(1) PEG access channels shall be for the exclusive use of the City or its designees to provide public, educational, or governmental programming.

(2) Advertising, underwriting, or sponsorship recognition may be carried on the PEG access channels for the purpose of funding PEG-related activities.

(3) The PEG access channels shall be carried on the basic service tier.

(4) To the extent feasible, the PEG access channels shall not be separated numerically from other channels carried on the basic service tier, and the channel numbers for the PEG access channels shall be the same channel numbers used by the incumbent cable operator unless prohibited by federal law.

(5) After the initial designation of PEG access channel numbers, the channel numbers shall not be changed without the prior written consent of the City, unless the change is required by federal law.

(6) Each PEG access channel shall be capable of carrying a National Television System Committee (NTSC) television signal.

(e) Interconnection. Where technically feasible, a State video franchise holder and incumbent cable operator shall negotiate in good faith to interconnect their networks for the purpose of providing PEG access channel programming. Interconnection may be accomplished by direct cable, microwave link, satellite, or other reasonable method of connection. State video franchise holders and incumbent cable operators shall provide interconnection of the PEG access channels on reasonable terms and conditions and may not withhold the interconnection. If a State video franchise holder and an incumbent cable operator cannot reach a mutually acceptable interconnection agreement, the City may require the incumbent cable operator to allow the State video franchise holder to interconnect its network with the incumbent's network at a technically feasible point on the holder's network as identified by the holder. If no technically feasible point for interconnection is available, the State video franchise holder shall make an interconnection available to the channel originator and shall provide the facilities necessary for the interconnection. The cost of any interconnection shall be borne by the State video franchise holder requesting the interconnection unless otherwise agreed to by the parties.

(f) Emergency Alert System and Emergency Overrides. A State video franchise holder must comply with the Emergency Alert System requirements of the Federal Communications Commission in order that emergency messages may be distributed over the holder's network. Provisions in City-issued franchises authorizing the City to provide local emergency notifications shall remain in effect, and shall apply to all State video franchise holders in the City for the duration of the City-issued franchise, or until the term of the franchise would have expired had it not been terminated pursuant to subdivision (m) of Section 5840 of the California Public Utilities Code, or until January 1, 2009, whichever is later.

(1099-CS, Added, 10/25/2007)