HomeMy WebLinkAbout0636 ORDINANCE NO. 636
CITY OF LAKEVILLE
DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE 3,
CHAPTER 11, OF THE LAKEVILLE CITY CODE
CONCERNING CABLE TELEVISION
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAKEVILLE ORDAINS:
SECTION L Title 3, chapter 11 of the Lakeville City Code is amended in its entirety
to read as follows:
CHAPTER 11
CABLE TELEVISION
3-11-1: Intent
3-11-2: Defmitions
3-11-3: Franchise to Install and Operate
3-11-4: Franchise Required
3-11-5: Term of the Franchise
3-11-6: Franchise Territory
3-11-7: Federal, State and City Jurisdiction
3-11-8: Franchise Non-Transferable
3-11-9: City's Right to Purchase. System
3 -11-10: Purchase by City Upon Expiration or Revocation
3 -11-11: Emergency Use
3 -11-12: Geographical Coverage
3-11-13: .Nonexclusive Franchise
3-11-14: Multiple Franchises
3-11-15: Franchise Applications
3-11-16: Consideration of Initial Applications
3-11-17: Franchise Renewal
3-11-18: Consumer Protection and Service Standards
3-11-19: .Rate Regulation
3-11-20: Franchise Fee
3-11-21: Design and Construction Requirements
3-11-22: Technical Standards
3-11-23: Trimming of Trees
3-11-24: Use of Grantee Facilities
3-11-25: Programming Decisions
3-11-26: Indemnification
3-11-27: Insurance
3-11-28: Records Required and Grantor's Right to Inspect
3-11-29: Annual Reports
3-11-30: Franchise Violation
3-11-31: Force Majeure; Grantee's Inability to Perform
3-11-32: Abandonment or Removal of Franchisee's Property
3-11-33: Extended Operation and Continuity of Services
3-11-34: Receivership and Foreclosure
3-11-35: Rights Reserved to Grantor
3-11-36: .Rights of Individuals
3-11-37: Severability
3-11-1: INTENT:
A. The City of Lakeville, Minnesota, pursuant to Applicable Laws, is authorized to grant one
or more nonexclusive Franchises to construct, operate, maintain and reconstruct Cable
Television Systems within the City limits.
B. The City Council finds that the development of Cable Television Systems has the
potential of having great benefit and impact. upon the residents of the City. Because of
the complex and rapidly changing technology associated with cable television, the City
Council 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 Ordinance and subsequent
amendments to provide for and specify the means to attain the best possible cable
television service to the public and any Franchises issued pursuant to this Ordinance shall
be deemed to include this finding as an integral part thereof.
3-11-2: DEFINITIONS: For the purpose of this Ordinance, 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. All capitalized terms used in the
definition of any other term shall have their meaning as otherwise defined in this Section. The
words "shall" and "will" are mandatory and "may" is permissive. Words not defined shall be
given their common and ordinary meaning.
APPLICABLE LAWS: Any law, statute, charter, ordinance, rule, regulation, code, license,
certificate, franchise, permit, writ, ruling, award, executive order,
directive, requirement, injunction (whether temporary, preliminary
or permanent), judgment, decree or other order issued, executed,
entered or deemed applicable by any Governmental Authority.
BASIC CABLE SERVICE: Any service tier which includes the .retransmission of local
2
television broadcast signals. Basic Cable Service as defined herein
shall not be inconsistent with 47 U.S.C. § 543(b)(7)(1993).
CABLE ACT: The Cable Communications Policy Act of 1984, Pub. L. No. 98-
549, 98 Stat. 2779. (1984) (codified at 47 U.S.C. § § 521-611 (1982
& Supp. V 1987)) as amended by the Cable Television Consumer
Protection and Competition Act of 1992, Pub. L. No. 102-385 and.
the Telecommunications Act of 1996, Pub. L. No. 104-458 and as
the same may, from time to time, be amended.
CABLE TELEVISION A facility, consisting of a set of closed transmission paths and
SYSTEM, SYSTEM or associated signal generation, reception and control equipment that
CABLE SYSTEM: 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:
1. A facility. that serves only to retransmit the television signals
of one (1) or more television broadcast stations;
2. A facility that serves subscribers without using. any public
rights-of-way;
3. A facility of a common carrier which is subject, in whole
or in part, to the provisions of 47 U.S.C. 201-226, except that
such facility shall be considered: a Cable System (other than for
purposes of 47 U.S.C. § .541) to the extent such facility is `used in
the transmission of video programming directly to subscribers;
unless the extent of such use is solely to provide interactive on-
demand services;
4. An open video system that complies with Section 653 of the
Cable Act; or
S. Any facilities of any electric utility used solely for operating
its electric utility system.
CABLE SERVICE: Cable service means:
1. The one-way transmission to Subscribers of (i) video
programming, or (ii) other programming service; and
2. Subscriber interaction, if any, which is required for the
selection or use of such video programming. or other. programming
service.
3
CHANNEL or A portion of the electromagnetic frequency spectrum which is used
CABLE CHANNEL: in a Cable System and which is capable of delivering a television
Channel as defined by the Federal Communications Commission.
CLASS IV CABLE
COMMUNICATIONS A signaling path provided by a System to transmit signals of any
CHANNEL: .type from a.Subscriber terminal to another point in the System.
COUNCIL: The City Council of the City of Lakeville,. Minnesota.
FRANCHISE: An initial authorization, or renewal thereof, issued by the City,
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
over pu~icly owned rights-of--way.
FRANCHISE A Franchise granted pursuant to this Ordinance containing the
AGREEMENT: specific provisions of the Franchise granted, including references,
specifications, requirements and other related. matters.
FRANCHISE FEE: Any tax, fee or assessment of any kind imposed by the City or any
other Governmental Authority on a Grantee or cable Subscriber, or
both, solely because of their status as such. .The term "Franchise
Fee" does not include: (i) 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
cable operators or cable subscribers); (ii) capital costs which are
required by the Franchise Agreement io be incurred. by the Grantee
for PEG Access Facilities; (iii) 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 (iv) any fee
imposed under Title 17 of the United States Code.
GOVERNMENTAL Any Court or other federal, state, county, municipal or other
AUTHORITY: governmental department,. commission, .board, agency or
instrumentality.
GRANTEE: Any Person receiving a .Franchise pursuant to this Ordinance .and
its agents, employees, officers, designees, or any lawful successor,
transferee or assignee.
GRANTOR or CITY: The City of Lakeville, Minnesota as represented by the Council or
4
any delegate acting within the scope of its jurisdiction. The City
Administrator shall be responsible for the continuing administration
of the franchise.
GROSS REVENUES: All revenue received directly or indirectly by the Grantee, its
affiliates, subsidiaries, parents, or any Person in which Grantee has
a financial interest of five percent (5%) or more, arising from or
attributable, to the provision of Cable Service by the Grantee within
the City including, but not limited to, monthly fees charged to
Subscribers for Basic Cable Service; monthly fees :charged to
Subscribers for any optional service; monthly fees charged to
Subscribers for any tier of service other than Basic Cable Service;
Installation, disconnection and .reconnection fees; leased Channel
fees; converter and remote revenues; advertising revenues; and
revenues from home shopping Channels. Gross Revenues shall be
the basis for computing the Franchise Fees imposed pursuant to
Section 3-11-20 hereof. Grantee shall not be required to pay a
franchise fee on gross revenues derived from any Person receiving
free Cable Service pursuant to a Franchise Agreement. Gross
Revenues shall include .franchise fees collected by Grantee on
behalf of the city.
INITIAL SERVICE AREA: The area of the City which will. receive Cable Service initially, as
set forth in any Franchise Agreement.
INSTALLATION: The connection of the .System to a Subscriber. and the provision of
Cable Service.
NORMAL Those hours during which most similar businesses in the City are
BUSINESS HOURS: open to serve customers. In all cases, "Normal Business Hours"
must include some evening hours at least one night per week and/or
some weekend hours.
NORMAL Those service conditions which are within the control of the
OPERATING Grantee. Those conditions which are .not within the control of the
CONDITIONS: Grantee include,. but are not limited to, natural disasters, civil
disturbances, power outages, telephone network outages, and severe
or unusual weather conditions. Those conditions which are
ordinarily- within the control of the Grantee include,. but are not
limited to, special promotions, pay-per-view events, rate increases,
regular peak or seasonal demand periods, and maintenance or
upgrade of the System.
PERSON: Any individual or any association, firm, general partnership, limited
5
partnership, joint stock company, joint venture, trust, corporation,
limited liability company or other legally recognized entity, private
or public, whether for-profit or not-for-profit.
PUBLIC, EDUCATIONAL OR
GOVERNMENT ACCESS
FACILITIES or PEG
ACCESS FACILITIES: 1. Channel capacity designated for public, educational or
governmental use; and
2. Facilities .and equipment for the use of such Channel
capacity.
SECTION: Any section, subsection or provision. of this Ordinance.
SERVICE AREA or The entire geographic area within the City as it is now constituted
FRANCHISE AREA: or may in the future be constituted, unless otherwise specified in
the Franchise Agreement.`
SERVICE
INTERRUPTION: The loss of picture or sound on one or more Cable Channels.
STATE: The State. of Minnesota.
STREET or Each of he following which have been dedicated. to the public or
PUBLICLY OWNED are hereafter dedicated to the public and maintained under. public
RIGHT OF WAY: 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.
SUBSCRIBER: Any Person who or which lawfully elects to subscribe to, for any
purpose, a service provided. by the Grantee. by means of or in
connection with the Cable System whether or not a fee is paid. for
such service.
3-11-3: FRANCHISE TO INSTALL AND OPERATE:
A. A Franchise granted by the City under the provisions of this Ordinance. shall encompass
the following purposes:
1. To engage in the business of providing Cable Service, and such other lawful
services as may be permitted by the City, to Subscribers within the Service Area.
6
2. To erect, install, construct, repair, rebuild, reconstruct, replace, maintain and retain
cables, lines, related electronic equipment, supporting structures, appurtenances and other
property in connection with .the operation of a Cable System in, on, over, under, upon,
along and across Streets within- the Service Area.
3. To maintain and operate said Franchise properties for the origination, reception,
transmission, amplification and distribution of television and radio signals for the delivery
of Cable. Services.
4. To set forth the obligations of a Grantee under the Franchise Agreement.
B. Nothing contained in this Ordinance relieves a Person from liability arising out of failure
to exercise reasonable care to avoid injuring Grantee's facilities while performing work
connected with grading, regarding or changing the line of a Street or public. place or with
the construction or reconstruc>:ion of a sewer or water system.
3-11-4: FRANCHISE REQUIRED: It shall be unlawful for any Person, other than the
City unless specifically .required by Applicable Laws, to construct, install or
operate a Cable Television System in the City in, on, over,. under, upon, along or across any
Street or publicly owned right of way without a Franchise properly granted pursuant to the
provisions of this Ordinance.
3-11-5: ..TERM OF THE FRANCHISE:
A. A Franchise granted hereunder shall be .for the term established in the Franchise
Agreement and shall not exceed. fifteen (15) years.
B. A Franchise granted hereunder may be renewed upon application by the Grantee pursuant
to the provisions of this Ordinance and Applicable Laws.
3-11-6: FRAIV'CHISE TERRITORY: Any Franchise granted pursuant to this Ordinance.
shall be valid within the Service Area.
3-11-7: FEDERAL, STATE AND CITY JURISDICTION:
A. This Ordinance shall be construed in a manner consistent with Applicable Laws.
B. This .Ordinance shall apply to all Franchises granted or renewed after the effective date
of this Ordinance. Thin Ordinance shall further apply to the extent permitted by
Applicable .Laws to all existing Franchises granted prior to the effective date of this
Ordinance.
C. The rights of all Grantees are, subject to the policing powers of the City to adopt and
enforce ordinances necessary to the health, safety and welfare of the public. All Grantees
7
shall comply with all Applicable Laws enacted by the City pursuant to that power.
D. No Grantee shall berelieved of its obligation to comply with any of the provisions of this
.Ordinance or any Franchise granted pursuant to this Ordinance by reason of any failure
of the City to enforce prompt compliance.
E. This Ordinance and any Franchise granted pursuant to this Ordinance shall be construed
and enforced in accordance with the substantive laws. of the City, State of Minnesota and
applicable federal laws, including. the Cable Act.
F. This Ordinance together with any Franchise granted .hereunder shall comply with the
Minnesota franchise standazds contained in Minnesota Statutes Section 238.084.
G. Grantee and the City shall conform to state laws and rules regarding cable
communications not later than one year after they become effective, unless otherwise
stated, and shall .conform to federal laws and regulations regazding cable communications
as they become effective.
3-11-8: FRANCHISE NON-TRANSFERABLE:
A. Grantee shall not voluntarily or involuntarily, by operation of law or otherwise, sell,
assign, transfer, lease, :sublet or otherwise dispose of, in -whole or in part, the Franchise
and/or Gable System or any of the rights or privileges granted by the Franchise, without
the prior written consent of the Council and then. only upon such terms and conditions as
may be prescribed by the Council with regard to the proposed transferee's legal, technical
and financial qualifications, which consent shall not be unreasonably denied or delayed.
Any attempt to sell, assign, transfer, lease, sublet or otherwise dispose of all or any part
of the Franchise and/or Cable System or Grantee's rights therein without the prior written
consent of the Council shall be null and void and shall be grounds for termination of the
Franchise pursuant to Section 3-11-30 hereof and the applicable provisions. of any
Franchise Agreement.
B. Without limiting the nature of the events requiring the Council's approval under this
Section, the following events shall be deemed to be a sale, assignment or other transfer
of the Franchise and/or Cable System requiring compliance with this Section: (i) the sale,
assignment or other .transfer of all or a majority of Grantee's assets or the assets
comprising the Cable System to any Person; (ii) the merger of the Grantee or any of its
parents with or into another Person (including the merger of Grantee or any parent with
or into any parent or subsidiary corporation or other Person); (iii) the consolidation of the
Grantee or any of its pazents with .any other Person; (iv) the creation of a subsidiazy
corporation or other entity; (v) the sale, assignment or other transfer of capital stock or
partnership, membership or other equity interests in Grantee or any of its pazents by one
or more of its existing shazeholders, partners, members or other equity owners so as to
create a new Controlling .Interest in Grantee; (vi) the issuance of additional capital stock
8
or partnership, membership or other equity interest by Grantee or any of its parents so as
to create a new Controlling Interest in Grantee; and (vii) the entry by the Grantee into an
agreement with respect to the management. or operation of the Grantee, any of Grantee's
parents and/or the System or the subsequent amendment thereof. The term "Controlling
Interest" as used herein is not limited to majority equity ownership of the Grantee, but
also includes actual working control over the Grantee, any parent of Grantee and/or the
System in whatever manner exercised.
G Grantee shall notify Grantor in writing of any foreclosure or any other judicial sale of all
or a substantial part of the property and assets. comprising the Cable. System of the
Grantee or upon the termination of any lease or interest covering all or a substantial part
of said property aiid assets. Such notification shall be considered by Grantor as notice that
a change in control or ownership of the Franchise has taken place and .the provisions
under .this Section governing the consent of Grantor to such change in control or
ownership shall apply.
D. .For the purpose of .determining whether it shall consent to .such change,. transfer or
acquisition of control, Grantor may inquire into the qualifications of the prospective
transferee or controlling party, and Grantee shall assist Grantor in any such inquiry. In
seeking Grantor's consent to any change of ownership or control, Grantee shall. have the
responsibility of insuring that the transferee completes an application in form and
substance reasonably satisfactory to Grantor, which application shall include the
information required under this Ordinance and Applicable Laws. The transferee shall be
required to establish to the satisfaction of the City that it possesses the legal, technical and
financial qualifications to operate and maintain the System and comply with all Franchise
requirements for the remainder of the term of the Franchise. If, after considering the
legal, financial, character and technical qualities of the transferee and determining that
they are satisfactory, the Grantor finds that such transfer is acceptable, the Grantor shall
permit such transfer and .assignment of the rights and obligations of such Franchise as
may be in the public interest. -The consent of the Grantor to such transfer shall not be
unreasonably denied.
E. Any .financial .institution having a security interest in any and all of the property and
assets. of Grantee as security for any loan made to Grantee or any of its affiliates for the
construction and/or operation of the Cable System must notify the Grantor that it or its
designee satisfactory to the Grantor shall take control of and operate the Cable Television
System, in the event of a default in the payment or performance of the debts, liabilities
or obligations of Grantee or its affiliates to such financial institution. Further, said
financial institution shall also submit a plan for such operation of the System within
thirty (30) days of assuming such control that will insure continued service and
compliance with all Franchise requirements during the term the financial institution or its
designee exercises control over the System.. The financial institution or its designee shall
not exercise control over the System for a period exceeding one (1) year unless extended
by the Grantor in its discretion and during said period of time it shall have the right to
9
petition the Grantor to transfer the Franchise to another Grantee.
F. In addition to the aforementioned requirements in this Section 3-11-8, the City and
Grantee shall, at all times, comply with the requirements of l~linnesota Statutes Section
238.083 regarding the sale or transfer of a franchise and with all other Applicable Laws.
3-11-9: CITY'S RIGHT TO PURCHASE SYSTEM: The City shall have a right of first
refusal to purchase the Cable System in the event the Grantee receives a bona fide
offer to purchase the Cable System from any Person. Bona fide offer as used in this Section
means a written offer which has been accepted by Grantee, subject to the City's rights under this
Ordinance and any Franchise Agreement. The price to be paid by the City shall be the amount
provided for in the bona fide offer, including the same terms and conditions as the bona fide
offer. The City shall notify Grantee of its decision to purchase within sixty (60) days of the
City's receipt from Grantee of a copy of the written bona fide offer and such other relevant and
pertinent information as the City shalt deem appropriate.
3-11-10: PURCHASE BY CITY UPON EXPIRATION OR REVOCATION: Consistent
with Section 627 of the Cable Act and all other Applicable Laws, at the expiration,
cancellation, revocation or termination of any Franchise Agreement, the City shall have the option
to purchase, condemn or otherwise acquire and hold the Cable System.
3-11-11: EMERGENCY USE: In the case of any emergency or disaster, Grantee shall,
upon request of the City or emergency management personnel, make its Cable
System and related facilities available to the City for emergency use.
3-11-12: GEOGRAPHICAL COVERAGE:
A. Grantee shall design, construct and maintain the Cable Television System to have the
capability to pass every dwelling unit in the Service Area, subject to any Service Area line.
extension requirements of the Franchise Agreement.
B. After service has been established by activating trunk and/or distribution cables for any
Service Area, Grantee shall provide Cable Service to any requesting Subscriber within that
Service Area within thirty (30) days from the date of request, provided that the Grantee
is able to secure all rights-of--way necessary to extend service to such Subscriber within
such thirty (30) day period on reasonable terms and conditions.
C. No Subscriber shall be refused service arbitrarily.. However, for unusual circumstances
such as the existence of more than 150 feet of distance from distribution cable to
connection of service to Subscribers, or a density equivalent of less than 40 homes per
mile, service may be made available on the basis of a capital contribution in aid of
.construction, including cost of material, labor and easements. For the purpose of
determining the amount of capital contribution in aid of construction to be borne by the
Grantee and Subscribers in the area in which service may be expanded, the Grantee will
10
contribute an amount equal to the construction and other costs per mile, multiplied by a
fraction whose numerator equals the. actual number of residences per mile, and whose
denominator equals 40 residences. Subscribers who request service hereunder, will bear.
the remainder of the construction and other costs on a pro rata basis. The Grantee may
require that the payment of the capital contribution in aid of construction borne by such
potential subscribers be paid in advance.
D. Grantee shall bury all drops to subscribers dwellings when required by local construction
standards. In the event the ground is frozen or otherwise unsuitable to permit immediate
.burial, Grantee shall be permitted to delay such burial until the ground becomes suitable
for burial which in no event shall be later than June 30th.
3-11-13: NONEXCLUSIVE FRANCHISE: Any Franchise granted under this Ordinance
shall be nonexclusive. The Grantor specifically reserves .the right to grant, at any
time, such additional Franchises for affable Television System as it deems appropriate on terms
and conditions no more favorable nor less burdensome than those imposed in previously granted
Franchises, subject to Applicable Laws. The Grantor also specifically reserves the right to
operate a municipal Cable Television System pursuant to Applicable Laws and shall not be
.required to grant a Franchise to the City for the operation of a municipal Cable Television System
unless specifically required by Applicable Laws.
3-11-14: MULTIPLE FRANCHISES:
A. Grantor may grant one or more Franchises for a Service Area. Grantor may, in its sole
discretion, limit the number of Franchises granted, based upon, but not necessarily limited
to, the requirements of Applicable Laws and specific local considerations; such as:
1. The capacity of the public rights-of-way to accommodate multiple coaxial cables
in addition to the cables, conduits and pipes of the utility systems, such as electrical
power, telephone, gas and sewage.
2. The impact on the City of having multiple Franchises.
3. The disadvantages that may result from Cable System competition, such as the
requirement for multiple pedestals on residents' property, and the disruption arising from
numerous excavations of the rights-of--way.
4. The financial capabilities of the. applicant.
B. Each Grantee awarded a Franchise to serve the entire City shall offer service to all
residences in the ..City, in accordance with construction and service schedules mutually
agreed upon between Grantor and Grantee, and consistent with Applicable Laws.
C. The City may, in its sole discretion, require developers of new residential housing with
11
underground utilities to provide conduit. to accommodate cables for a minimum of two (2)
Cable Systems in accordance with the provisions of Section 3-11-21(D).
D. Grantor may require that any new Grantee be responsible for its own underground
trenching .and the costs associated therewith, if, in Grantor's opinion, the rights-of--way
in any. particular area cannot feasibly and reasonably accommodate additional cables.
E. Any additional Franchise .granted by the City to provide Cable Service in a part of the
City in which a Franchise has already been granted and where an existing Grantee is
providing service shall require the new Grantee to provide service throughout its Service
Area .within a reasonable time and in a sequence which does not .discriminate against
lower income residents.
3-11-15: FRANCHISE APPLICATIONS: Any Person .other than the City unless
specifically required by:Applicable Laws, desiring an initial Franchise for a Cable
Television System shall file an application with. the City. A reasonable nonrefundable application
fee in an amount established by the City shall accompany the initial application. Such application
fee shall not be deemed to be "franchise fees" within the meaning of Section 622 of the Cable
Act (47 U.S.C. § 542), and such payments shall not be deemed to be (i) "payments in kind" or
any involuntary payments chargeable against the Franchise Fees to be paid to the City by Grantee
pursuant to Section 3-11-20 hereof and applicable provisions of a Franchise Agreement, or (ii)
part of the Franchise Fees to be paid to the City by Grantee pursuant to Section 3-11-20 hereof
and applicable provisions of a Franchise Agreement.
An application for an initial Franchise for a Cable Television System shall be in a form
reasonably acceptable to Grantor. and shall contain,. where applicable:
A. A statement as to the proposed Service Area.
B. A resume of prior history of applicant, including the legal, technical and financial
expertise of applicant in the cable television field.
C. A list of the general and limited partners of the applicant, if a partnership, or the
shareholders, if a corporation.
D. The percentage ownership of the applicant of each of its partners, shareholders or other
equity owners;
E. A list of officers, directors and managing employees of applicant or its .general partner,
as applicable, together with a description of the background of each such Person;
F. The. names and addresses of any parent or subsidiary of applicant or any other business
entity owning or controlling applicant in whole or in part, or owned or controlled in
whole or in part by applicant;
12
G. A current financial statement of applicant verified by an audit or otherwise certified to be
true, complete and correct to the reasonable satisfaction of the City;
H. Proposed construction. and service schedule.
I. Any additional information that the City deems applicable.
3-11-16: CONSIDERATION OF INITIAL APPLICATIONS:
A. Upon receipt of any application for an initial Franchise, the City Administrator shall
prepare a report and make his or her recommendations respecting. such application to the
City Council.
B. A public hearing shall be set prior to any initial Franchise grant, at a time and date
approved by the Council. Auer the close of the hearing, the Council shall make a
decision based upon the evidence received at the hearing as to whether or not the
Franchise(s) should be granted, and, if granted subject to what conditions. The Council
may grant one (1) or more initial Franchises, or may decline to grant any Franchise.
3-11-17: FRANCHISE RENEWAL: Franchise renewals shall be in accordance with
Applicable Laws. Grantor and Grantee, by mutual consent, may enter into renewal
negotiations at any time during the .term of the Franchise.. To the extent consistent with
Applicable Laws, a reasonable non-refundable renewal application fee in an amount established
by the City may be required to accompany any renewal application. Such application fee shall .
not be deemed to be "franchise fees" within the meaning of Section 622 of the Cable Act (4?
U.S.C. § 542), and such payments shall not be deemed to be (i) "payments in kind" or any
involuntary payments chargeable against the Franchise Fees to be paid to the City by Grantee
pursuant to Section 3-11-20 hereof and applicable provisions of a Franchise Agreement, or (ii)
part of the Franchise Fees to be paid to the City by Grantee pursuant to Section 3-11-20 hereof
and applicable provisions of a Franchise Agreement..
3-11-18: CONSUMER PROTECTION AND SERVICE STANDARDS: Grantee shall
maintain a convenient local customer service or bill payment location for receiving
Subscriber payments. Grantee shall also maintain or arrange for a location where equipment can
be dropped off or exchanged in .the service area as is necessary or, in the alternative, establish
a system for having subscriber equipment picked-up at the subscriber's residence free-of-charge.
Grantee shall also provide the necessary facilities, equipment and personnel to comply with the
following consumer protection standards under Normal Operating Conditions:
A. Cable System office hours and telephone availability,
1. Grantee will maintain a local, toll-free or collect call telephone access line which
will be available to its Subscribers 24 hours a day, seven (7) days a week.
13
(a) Trained Grantee representatives will be available to respond to .customer
telephone inquiries during Normal Business Hours.
(b) After Normal. Business Hours, the access line may be answered by a
service or an automated response system, including an answering machine.
Inquiries received after Normal Business Hours must be responded to by a trained
Grantee representative on the next business day.
2. Under Normal Operating Conditions, telephone answer time by a customer
representative, including wait time, shall not exceed thirty (30) seconds when the.
connection is made. If the call needs to be transferred, transfer time shall not exceed
thirty (30) seconds. These standards shall be met no less then ninety (90%) percent of
the time under Normal Operating Conditions, measured on a quarterly basis.
3. The Grantee will. not he required to acquire equipment or perform surveys to
measure compliance with the telephone answering standards above unless an historical
record of complaints indicates a cleaz failure to comply.
4. Under Normal Operating Conditions, the customer will receive a busy signal less
than three percent (3%) of the time.
5. Customer service center and bill payment locations will be open at least during
Normal Business Hours.
B. Installations, outages and service calls. Under Normal Operating Conditions, each of the
following four standards. will be met no less than ninety-five percent (95%) of the time
measured on a quarterly. basis:
1. Standard Installations will be performed within seven (7) business days after' an
order has been placed. "Standard" Installations are .those that are located up to 125 feet
from the existing distribution system.
2. .Excluding conditions beyond the control of Grantee, Grantee will begin working
on "service interruptions" promptly and in no event later than 24 hours after .the.
interruption becomes known. The Grantee must begin actions to correct other service
problems the next business day after notification of the service problem.
3. The "appointment window" alternatives for Installations, service calls, and other
Installation activities will be either a specific. time or, at maximum, afour-hour time block
during Normal Business Hours. (The Grantee may schedule service calls for other
Installation activities outside of Normal Business Hours for the express convenience of
the customer.)
4. Grantee may not cancel an appointment. with a customer after the close of business
14
on. the business day prior to .the scheduled appointment.
5, If Grantee's representative is running late for an appointment with a customer and
will not be able to keep the appointment as scheduled, the customer will be contacted
prior to the time of the scheduled appointment. The appointment will be rescheduled, as
necessary, at a time which is convenient for the customer.
C. Communications between Grantee and Subscribers•
1. Notifications to Subscribers:
a. The Grantee shall provide written information on each of the following
areas at the time of Installation of service, at least annually to all Subscribers, and at any
.time upon request:
(i) Products and services offered;
(ii) Prices and options for programming services and conditions of
.subscription to programming and other services;
(iii) Installation and service maintenance policies;
(iv) Instructions on how to use the Cable Service;
(v) Channel positions of the programming carried on the System; and
(vi) Billing and complaint procedures, including the address and
telephone number of the Grantee's office within the Service Area.
b. Customers will be notified of any changes in rates, programming services
or Channel positions as soon as possible in writing. Notice must be given to
Subscribers a minimum of thirty (30) .days in advance of such changes if the
changes are within the control of the Grantee. In addition, the Grantee shall notify
Subscribers thirty (30) days in advance of any significant changes in the other
information required by this Section 3-11-18(C)(l)(a). Grantee shall not be
required to provide prior notice of any rate changes as a result of a regulatory fee,.
franchise fee, or other fees, tax, assessment or change of any kind imposed by any
federal agency, state or franchising authority on the transaction between the
operator and the subscriber.
2. Billing:
a. Bills will be clear, concise and understandable. Bills must be fully
itemized, with itemizations: including, but not limited to, basic and premium
service charges and equipment charges. Bills will also clearly delineate all activity
during the billing period, including optional charges, rebates and credits.
b. In case of a billing- dispute,. the Grantee must respond to a written
complaint from a .Subscriber within thirty (30) days.
15
3. Refunds: Refund checks will be issued promptly,. but no later than either:
a. The customer's next billing cycle following resolution of the request or
thirty (30) days, whichever is earlier, or
b. The return of the equipment supplied by the Grantee if service is
...terminated.
4. Credits: Credits for service will be issued no later than the. customer's next billing
cycle following the determination that a credit is warranted.
D. Reports, Grantee shall provide City with a quarterly customer service compliance report
in regard to service calls and installation specific to the system serving the City of
Lakeville in a form attached as an Exhibit to Grantee's Franchise Agreement. Said Exhibit
shall, at a minimum, describe 1`n detail Grantee's compliance with each and every term
and provision of this Section 3-11-18 and any additional customer service requirements
contained in Grantee's Franchise and shall outline and summarize all subscriber
complaints received by Grantee during the preceding calendar .quarter.
3-11-19: RATE REGULATION:. The City reserves the right to regulate rates for Basic
Cable Service and any other services offered over the Cable System, to the extent
not prohibited by Applicable Laws. The Grantee shall be subject to the rate regulation provisions
provided for herein, and those of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) at 47 C.F.R.,
Part 76, Subpart N, as the same may be amended from time to time.. The City shall follow the
rules relating to cable rate regulation .promulgated by the. FCC at 47 C.F.R., Part 76, Subpart N,
as the same may be amended from time to time.
3-11-20: FRANCHISE FEE:
A. Following the .issuance and acceptance of a Franchise, the Grantee. shall .pay to the
Grantor a Franchise Fee in the amount set forth in the Franchise Agreement.
B. The Grantor, on a quarterly basis, shall be .furnished a statement within ninety (90) days
of the close of the calendar quarter, certified by the company controller or chief financial
officer, reflecting the total amounts of Gross Revenues and all payments, and.
computations of the Franchise Fee for the previous calendar quarter.. Upon ten (10) days
prior written notice, Grantor shall have the right to conduct an independent audit of
Grantee's records. If such audit indicates a Franchise Fee underpayment of five percent
(5%) or more, the Grantee shall assume all of City's out-of-pocket costs associated: with
.the conduct of such an audit and shall remit to Grantor all applicable Franchise Fees due
and payable together with interest thereon. at the lesser of the maximum rate permitted by
Applicable Laws or 18% per annum.
C. .Except as otherwise provided by law, no acceptance of any payment by the Grantor shall
16
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 Ordinance or
any Franchise Agreement or for he performance of any other obligation of the Grantee..
D. In the event that any Franchise Fee payment or recomputed amount is not made on or
before the dates specified in the Franchise Agreement, Grantee shall pay as additional
compensation an interest charge, computed from such due date, at an annual rate equal
to the lesser of the maximum rate permitted by Applicable Laws or 18% per annum
during the period for which payment was due.
E. Franchise Fee payments shall be made in accordance with the schedule indicated in the
Franchise Agreement.
3-11-21: DESIGN AND .CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS:
A. Grantee shall not construct any Cable System facilities until Grantee has secured the
necessary permits from Grantor, or other applicable Governmental Authorities.
B. In those areas of the City where transmission or distribution. facilities of all the public
utilities providing telephone and electric power service are underground, the Grantee
likewise -shall construct, operate and maintain its transmission and .distribution facilities-
therein underground..
C. In those areas of the City where Grantee's cables are located on the above-ground
transmission or distribution facilities of the public utility providing telephone or electric
power service, and in the event that the facilities of both such public utilities subsequently
are placed underground, then the Grantee likewise shall construct, operate and maintain
its transmission and distribution facilities underground, at Grantee's cost. Certain of
Grantee's equipment, such as pedestals, amplifiers and power supplies, which normally
are placed above ground, may. continue to remain in above-ground closures, however, the
City .specifically reserves all of its rights to approve above-ground or underground
locations for pedestals subject to Applicable Laws..
D. In new residential developments in which all the electric power and telephone utilities are
underground,. the City may, in its sole discretion, .require that the following procedure.
apply with respect to access to and utilization of underground easements:
1. The developer shall be responsible for contacting and surveying all Grantees to
ascertain which Grantees desire (or, pursuant to the terms and provisions of this Ordinance
and any Franchise Agreement, may be required). to provide Cable Service. to that
development. The. developer may establish a reasonable deadline to receive responses
from Grantees. The final development map shall indicate the Grantees. which have agreed
to serve the. development.
17
2. If one (1) or more Grantees wish to provide service within all or part of the
.development, they shall be accommodated in the joint utilities trench on a
nondiscriminatory shared basis. If fewer than two (2) Grantees indicate interest, the
developer shall provide conduit to accommodate a minimum of two (2) sets of cable
television cables and dedicate to the City any initially unoccupied conduit. The developer
shall be entitled to recover the cost of such initially unoccupied conduit in the event that
Grantor subsequently leases or sells occupancy or use rights to any Grantee.
3. The developer shall provide at least ten (10) business days notice of the date that
utility trenches will be open to the Grantees that have agreed to serve the development.
When the trenches are open, such Grantees shall have two (2) business days to begin the
Installation of their cables, and five (5) business days after beginning Installation to
complete Installation.
4. The final development map shall not be approved until the developer submits
evidence that:
a. It has notified each Grantee that underground utility trenches are to open
as of an estimated date, and that each Grantee will be allowed access to such
trenches, including trenches from proposed Streets to individual homes or home
sites, on specified nondiscriminatory terms and conditions; and
b. It has received a written notification .from each Grantee that the Grantee
intends to install its facilities during the open trench period on the specified terms
and conditions, or such other terms and conditions as are mutually agreeable to the
developer and Grantee, or has received no reply from a Grantee within ten (10)
days after its notification to such Grantee, in which case the Grantee will be
deemed to have waived its opportunity to .install its facilities during the open
trench period.
5. Sharing the joint utilities trench shall be subject to compliance with State
regulatory agency and utility standards. If such compliance is not possible, the developer
shall provide a separate trench for the cable television cables, with the entire cost shared
among the participating Grantee(s). With the concurrence of the developer, the affected
utilities and the Grantees, alternative Installation procedures, such as the use of deeper
trenches, may be utilized, subject to the requirements of Applicable Laws.
6. Any Grantee wishing to serve an area where the trenches have been closed shall
be responsible for its own trenching and associated costs and shall repair all .property to
.the condition which existed prior to such trenching.
E. .Construction. Codes and Permits.
1, Grantee shall obtain all necessary permits from City before commencing any
18
construction upgrade. or extension of the System, including the opening or disturbance of
any .Street, or private or public property within City. Grantee shall strictly adhere to all
:state. and local laws and. building and zoning codes currently or hereafter applicable to
construction, operation or maintenance of the System in City. and give due consideration
at all times to the aesthetics of the property.
2. The City shall have the right to inspect all construction or installation work
performed pursuant. to the provisions of the Franchise and to make such tests at its own
expense as it shall find necessary to ensure compliance with the terms of the Franchise
and applicable provisions of local, state and federal law.
F. Repair of Streets and Property. Any and all Streets or public property or private property,
which are disturbed or damaged during the construction, repair, replacement, relocation,
operation, maintenance or reconstruction of the System shall be promptly and fully
restored by Grantee, at its expense, to a condition as good as that prevailing. prior to
Grantee's work, as approved by City in the case of Streets and other public property. If
Grantee shall fail to promptly perform the restoration required herein, City shall have the
right to put the streets, public, or private property back into good condition. City reserves
its rights to pursue reimbursement for such restoration from Grantee.
G. Conditions on Street Use.
1. Nothing in this Franchise shall be construed to prevent City from constructing,
maintaining, repairing or .relocating sewers; grading, paving, maintaining, repairing,
relocating and/or altering any Street; constructing, laying down, repairing, maintaining or
relocating any water mains; or constructing, maintaining, relocating, or repairing any
sidewalk or other public work.
2. All System transmission and distribution structures, lines and equipment erected
by the Grantee within City shall be located so as not to obstruct or interfere with the
proper use of Streets, alleys and other public ways and places, and to cause minimum
interference with the rights of property owners who abut any of the said Streets, alleys
and other public ways and places, and not to interfere with existing .public utility
installations. The Grantee shall furnish to and file with .City Administrator the maps,
plats, and permanent records of the location and character of all facilities constructed,
including underground facilities, and Grantee shall file with City updates of such maps,
plats and permanent records annually if changes have been made in the System.
3. If at any .time during the period of this .Franchise City shall elect to alter, or
change the grade or .location of any Street, alley or other public way, the Grantee shall,
at its own expense, upon. reasonable notice by City, remove and relocate its poles, wires,
cables, conduits, manholes and other fixtures of the System, and in each instance comply
with the standards and specifications of City. If City reimburses other occupants of the
Street, Grantee shall be likewise reimbursed.
19
4. The Grantee shall not place poles, conduits, or other fixtures of System above or
below ground where the same will interfere with any gas, electric, telephone, water or
other utility. fixtures and all such poles, conduits, or other fixtures placed in any Street
shall be so placed. as to comply with all requirements of City.
5. The Grantee shall, on request of any Person holding a moving permit issued by
City, temporarily move its wires or fixtures to permit the moving of .buildings with the
expense of such temporary removal to be paid by the Person requesting the same, and the
Grantee shall be given not less than ten (10) days advance notice to arrange for such
temporary changes.
3-11-22: TECHNICAL STANDARDS:
A. The Grantee -shall construct, install, operate and maintain its System in a manner
consistent with all Applicable Laws and the Federal Communications Commission
technical standards, and any standards set forth in its Franchise Agreement.. In addition,
the Grantee shall provide to the Grantor, upon request, a written report of the results of
the Grantee's periodic proof of performance tests conducted pursuant to Federal
Communications Commission standards and guidelines.
B. Failure to comply with the Federal Communications Commission's technical standards
shall entitle the City to utilize the procedures of Section 3-11-30 hereof.
C. All construction practices shall be in accordance with all applicable sections of the
Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, as amended, as well as all other Applicable
Laws.
D. All Installation of electronic equipment at the time of installation shall be of a permanent
nature, durable and installed in .accordance with the provisions of the National Electrical
and Safety Code and National Electrical Code, as amended, and as said code may from
time to time be amended.
E. Antennae and their 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 Laws.
F. All of Grantee's plant and equipment, including, but not limited to, the antenna site,
headend and distribution system, towers, house connections, structures, poles, wire,
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 with improvements the City may deem
appropriate to make or to interfere in any manner with the rights of any property. owner,
or to unnecessarily. hinder or obstruct pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
20
G. Grantee shall at all times employ ordinary 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.
3-11-23: TRIMMING OF TREES: Grantee shall have the authority to trim trees, in
accordance with all applicable utility restrictions, ordinance and easement
restrictions, upon and hanging over Streets and public places of the City so as to prevent the
branches of such trees from coming in contact with the wires and cables of Grantee. City
representatives shall have authority to supervise and approve all trimming of trees conducted by
Grantee.
3-11-24: USE OF GRANTEE FACILITIES: The City shall, at its own expense, have the
right to install and maintain upon the poles and within the underground pipes and
conduits of Grantee, any wires and fixtures desired by the City to the extent that such installation
and maintenance does not interfere or compete with current or future operations of Grantee;
provided, however, that City may not use any such wires or fixtures to compete with any
commercial services offered by Grantee, its affiliates, parents. or subsidiaries to subscribers.
3-11-25: PROGRAMMING DECISIONS: All programming decisions shall be at the sole
discretion of Grantee; provided, however, that any change in the mix, quality or
level of service pursuant to 47 U.S.C. § 545(a) shall require the prior approval of the City. Such
approval by the City shall not be unreasonably withheld.
3-11-26: INDEMNIFICATION: Grantee shall indemnify, defend and hold the City, its
officers, boards, commissions, agents and employees (collectively the "Indemnified
Parties") harmless .from and against any and all lawsuits, claims, causes of action, actions,
liability, demands, damages, judgments, settlements, losses, expenses (including reasonable
attorneys' fees) and costs of any nature that any of the Indemnified Parties may at any time,
directly or indirectly, suffer, sustain or incur arising out of, based upon or in any way connected
with the grant of a Franchise to Grantee, the operation of Grantee's System and/or the acts and/or
omissions of Grantee or its agents or employees, whether or not pursuant to the Franchise. This
indemnity shall apply, without limitation, to any action or cause of action for invasion of privacy,
defamation, antitrust, errors-and omissions, theft, fire, violation or infringement of any copyright,
trademark, trade names, service mark, patent, or any other right. of any Person, whether or not
any act or omission complained of is authorized, allowed or prohibited by this Ordinance or any
Franchise Agreement, but shall exclude any claim or action arising out of the acts or omissions
of the Indemnified Parties or related to any City programming or other access programming for
which the Grantee is not legally responsible.
3-11-27: INSURANCE: Within sixty (60) days following the grant of a Franchise, the
Grantee shall obtain, pay all premiums for and make available to the City at its
request .copies of the following insurance policies:
A. A general comprehensive liability insurance policy insuring, indemnifying, defending and
21
saving harmless the. Indemnified Parties from any and all claims by any Person
whatsoever on account of injury to or death of a Person or Persons occasioned by the
operations of the Grantee under any Franchise granted hereunder, or alleged to have been
so caused or occurred with a minimum coverage of One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) for
personal injury or death of one Person, and Three Million Dollars ($3,000,000) for
personal injury or death of any two (2) or more Persons in any one occurrence. The
policy limits provided for in this Section 3-11-27(A) shall be reviewed and adjusted by
the city as necessary not more than once every three (3) years. Grantee also agrees to any
other adjustments in liability coverage required by changes in federal, state ar county
requirements.
B. Property damage insurance for property damage occasioned by the operation of Grantee
under any Franchise granted pursuant to this Ordinance, or alleged to have been so caused
or occurred, with minimum coverage of One Million Dollars. ($1,000,000) for property
damage to the property of any one Person and Three Million Dollars ($3,000,000) for
property damage to the property of two or more Persons in any one. occurrence. The
policy limits provided for in this. Section 3-11-27(B) shall be reviewed and adjusted by
the city as necessary not more than once every three (3) years.
C. Workers Compensation Insurance as .provided by Applicable Laws.
D. All insurance policies called for herein shall be in a form satisfactory to the City with a
company licensed to do business in the State of Minnesota with a rating by A.M. Best &
Co. of not less than "A," and shall require thirty (30) days written notice of any
cancellation to both the City and the Grantee. The Grantee shall, in the event of any such
cancellation notice, obtain, pay all premiums for,. and file with the. City, written evidence
of the issuance of replacement policies within. thirty (30) days following receipt by the
City or the Grantee of any notice of cancellation.
E. If Grantee sells or transfers the Cable System, or in the event of expiration, termination
or revocation of a Franchise, insurance tail coverage shall be purchased and filed with the
City for the then applicable amounts, providing coverage for the time periods according
to applicable statutes of limitation, insurance for any issues attributable to the period
Grantee held its Franchise.
F. It shall be the obligation of Grantee to promptly notify the City of any pending. or
threatened litigation that would be likely to affect the Indemnified Parties.
3-11-28: RECORDS REQUIRED .AND GRANTOR'S: RIGHT TO INSPECT:
A. Grantee shall at all times maintain the following records and information relating to the
Cable System serving the City:
1. A full and complete set of plans, records and "as-built" drawings and/or maps in
22
an electronic form agreed to by City and Grantee which shall be updated annually
showing the location of the Cable Television System installed or in use in the City,
exclusive of Subscriber service drops and equipment provided in Subscribers' homes.
2. If requested by Grantor, a summary of service calls, identifying the number,
general nature and disposition of such calls, on a monthly basis. A summary of such
service calls shall be submitted to the Grantor within thirty (30) days following its request
in a form reasonably acceptable to the Grantor.
B. Upon reasonable notice, and during Normal Business Hours, Grantee shall permit
examination by any duly authorized representative of the Grantor, of all Franchise
property and facilities, together with any appurtenant property and facilities of Grantee
situated within or without the City, and all records relating to the Franchise, provided they
aze necessary to enable the Grantor to carry out its regulatory responsibilities under
Applicable Laws, this Ordinance and the Franchise Agreement. Grantee shall have the
right to be present at any such. examination.
C. The City shall also have the right to inspect, upon seventy-two (72) hours written notice,
at any time during Normal Business Hours at Grantee's office, all books, records, maps,
plans, financial statements, service complaint logs, performance test results, records of
request for service, and other like materials of Grantee.
D. Copies of all petitions, applications, communications and reports submitted by Grantee or
on behalf of or relating to Grantee to the Federal Communications Commission, Securities
and Exchange Commission, or any other Governmental Authority having jurisdiction with
respect to any matters affecting the Cable System authorized pursuant to this Ordinance
and any Franchise shall, upon request, be submitted, upon request to the City.. Copies of
responses from the Governmental Authority to Grantee shall likewise be furnished to the
City.
3-11-29: ANNUAL REPORTS:
A. Grantee shall, upon request, within .ninety (90) days of each calendar yeaz end, submit a
written. end of the yeaz report to Grantar with respect to the preceding calendar year
containing the following information:
1. A Summary of the previous yeaz's (or in the case of the initial reporting yeaz, the
initial year's) activities in development of the Cable System, including but not limited to,
services commenced or discontinued during the .reporting yeaz;
2. A list of Grantee's officers, members of its boazd of directors, and other principals
of Grantee;
3. A list of stockholders or other equity investors holding five percent (5%) or more
23
of the voting interest in Grantee; and
4. Information as to the number of Subscribers, additional television outlets, and the
number of basic and pay service Subscribers.
B. All reports required under this Ordinance, except those required by law to be kept
confidential, shall be available for public inspection. in the Grantee's offices during
Normal Business Hours.
C. All reports and records required under this Ordinance shall be furnished at the sole
expense of Grantee, except as otherwise provided in this Ordinance or the Franchise
agreement.
3-11-30: FRANCHISE VIOLATION:. In .the event Grantor believes that Grantee has
breached or violated any material provision of this Ordinance or a Franchise
granted hereunder, Grantor may act in accordance with the following .procedures:
Grantor may notify Grantee of the alleged violation or breach and demand that Grantee
cure the same within a reasonable. time, which shall not be less than ten (10) ..days in the case of
an alleged failure of the Grantee to .pay any sum or other amount due the Grantor under this
Ordinance or the Grantee's Franchise and thirty (30) days in all other cases. If Grantee fails
either to cure the alleged violation or breach within the time prescribed or to commence
correction of the violation or breach within the time prescribed and thereafter diligently pursue
correction of such alleged violation or breach, the Grantor shall then give written notice of not
less than fourteen (14) days of a public hearing to be held before the Council. Said notice shall
specify the violations or breaches alleged to have occurred. At the public hearing, the Council
shall hear and consider relevant evidence and thereafter render findings and its decision.. In the
event the Council. finds that a material violation or breach exists and that Grantee has not cured
the same in a satisfactory manner or has not diligently commenced to cure of such violation or
breach after notice thereof from Grantor and is not diligently proceeding. to fully. cure such
violation or breach, the Council may revoke and terminate the Franchise or impose any other
.remedy .permitted by the Franchise Agreement or Applicable Laws.
3-11-31: FORCE MAJEURE; GRANTEE'S INABILITY TO PERFORM: In the event
Grantee's performance of any of the terms, conditions or obligations required by
this Ordinance or a Franchise granted hereunder is prevented by a cause or event not within
Grantee's control, such inability to perform shall be deemed excused for the period of such
inability and no penalties. or sanctions shall be imposed as a result thereof. For the purpose of this
.Section, .causes or events not within the control of Grantee shall include, without limitation, acts
• of God, strikes, sabotage, riots or civil. disturbances, restraints imposed by .order of a
governmental agency or court, failure or loss of utilities, explosions, acts of public enemies, and
natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes, landslides and fires.
24
3-11-32: ABANDONMENT OR REMOVAL OF FRANCHISE PROPERTY:
A. In the event that the use of any property of Grantee within .the Franchise Area or a
portion thereof is discontinued fora .continuous period of twelve (12) months, Grantee
shall be deemed to have abandonedthat property.
B. Grantor, upon such terms as Grantor may impose, may give Grantee permission to
abandon, without removing, any System facility or equipment laid, directly constructed,
operated or maintained in, on, under or over the Franchise Area. Unless such permission
is granted or unless otherwise provided in this Ordinance, the Grantee shall remove all
abandoned facilities and equipment upon receipt of written notice from Grantor and shall
restore any affected Street to its former state at the time such facilities and equipment
were installed, so as not to impair its usefulness. In removing its plant, structures and
equipment, Grantee shall refill, at its own expense, any excavation. made by or on behalf
of Grantee .and shall leave all streets and other public ways and places in as .good
condition as that prevailing prior to such removal without materially interfering with any
electrical or telephone cable or other utility wires, poles or attachments. Grantor shall
have the right to inspect and approve the condition of the streets, public ways, public
places, cables, wires, attachments and poles prior to and after removal The .liability,
.indemnity and insurance provisions of this Ordinance and any security fund provided for
in the Franchise Agreement shall continue in full force and effect during the period of
.removal and until full compliance by Grantee with the terms and conditions of .this
Section.
C. Upon abandonment of any Franchise property in place, the Grantee, if required by the
Grantor, shall submit to Grantor a bill of sale and/or other an instrument, satisfactory in
form and content to the Grantor, transferring to the Grantor the ownership of the
Franchise property abandoned.
D. At the expiration of the term for which the Franchise is granted, or upon .its earlier
revocation or termination, as provided for herein and/or in the Franchise Agreement, in
any such case without renewal, extension or transfer, the Grantor shall have the right to
require Grantee to .remove, at its own expense, all above-ground portions of the Cable
Television System from all Streets and public ways. within the City within a reasonable
period of time, which shall not be less than one hundred eighty (180) days; provided,
however, City may not require removal if Grantee is authorized to provide
telecommunications services in City pursuant to state or federal law.
E. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Ordinance, the Grantee may,
with the consent of the Grantor, abandon any underground Franchise property in place so
long as it does not materially interfere with the use of the Street or public rights-of--way
in which such property is located or with the use thereof by any public utility or other
cable Grantee.
25
3-11-33: EXTENDED OPERATION AND CONTINUITY OF SERVICES: Upon
termination or forfeiture of the Franchise, the Grantee shall remove its cable, wires,
and appliances from the streets, alleys, or other public places within the Service Area if the City
so requests. Failure by the Grantee to remove its cable, wires and appliances as referenced herein
shall be subject to the requirements of Section 3-11-32 of this Ordinance.
3-11-34: RECEIVERSHIP AND FORECLOSURE:
A. A Franchise granted hereunder shall, at the option of Grantor, cease and terminate one
hundred twenty (120) days after appointment of a receiver or receivers, or trustee or
trustees, to take over and conduct the business of 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 one hundred twenty
(120) days, or unless: (1) such receivers or trustees shall have, within one hundred twenty
(120) days after their election or appointment, fully complied with all the terms and
provisions of this Ordinance and the Franchise granted pursuant hereto, and the receivers
or trustees within said one hundred twenty (120) days shall have remedied all the defaults
and violations under the Franchise and/or this Ordinance or provided a plan for the
remedy of such defaults and violations which is satisfactory to the Grantor; and (2) such
receivers or trustees shall, within said one hundred twenty (120) days, execute an
agreement duly approved by the court having jurisdiction in the premises, whereby such
receivers or trustees assume and agree to be bound by each and every term, provision and
limitation of the Franchise and this Ordinance.
B. In the case of a foreclosure or other judicial sale of the Franchise property, or any
material part thereof, Grantor may give notice of termination of any Franchise granted
.pursuant to this Ordinance upon Grantee and the successful bidder at such sale, in which
the event the Franchise granted and all rights and privileges of the Grantee hereunder shall
cease and terminate thirty (30) days after such notice has been given, unless (1) Grantor
shall have approved the transfer of the Franchise in accordance with the provisions of the
Franchise and this Ordinance; and (2) such successful bidder shall have covenanted and
.agreed with Grantor to assume and be bound by all terms and conditions of the Franchise.
3-11-35: RIGHTS RESERVED TO GRANTOR: In addition to any rights specifically
reserved to the Grantor by this Ordinance, the Grantor reserves to itself every right
and power which is required to be reserved by a provision of .any ordinance or under the
Franchise.
3-11-36: RIGHTS OF INDIVIDUALS:
A. Grantee shall not deny service, deny access, or otherwise discriminate against Subscribers,
Channel users, or general citizens on the basis of race, color, religion, disability, national
origin, age, gender or sexual preference. Grantee shall comply at all times with all other
Applicable Laws, relating to nondiscrimination.
26
B. Grantee shall adhere to the applicable equal employment opportunity requirements of
Applicable Laws, as now written or as amended from time to time including 47 U.S.C.
Section 551, Protection of Subscriber Privacy.
C. Neither Grantee, nor any Person, agency, or entity shall, without the Subscriber's consent,
tap or arrange for the tapping, of any cable, line, signal input device, or Subscriber outlet
or receiver for any purpose except routine maintenance of the System, detection of
unauthorized service, polling with audience participating, or :audience viewing surveys to
support advertising research regarding viewers where individual viewing behavior cannot
be identified.
D. In the. conduct of providing its services or in pursuit of any collateral commercial
enterprise resulting therefrom, Grantee shall .take. reasonable steps to prevent the invasion
of a Subscriber's or general citizen's right of privacy or other personal rights through the
use of the System as such rights are delineated or defined by Applicable Laws. Grantee
shall not, without lawful court order or other applicable valid legal authority, utilize the
System's interactive two-way equipment or capability for unauthorized personal
surveillance of any Subscriber or general citizen.
E. No cable line, wire, amplifier, converter, or other piece of equipment owned by Grantee
shall be installed by Grantee in the Subscriber's premises, other than in appropriate
easements, without first securing any required consent.. If a Subscriber requests service,
permission to install .upon Subscriber's property shall be presumed. Where a property
owner or his or her predecessor was granted an easement including a public utility
easement or a servitude to another and the servitude by its terms contemplates a use such
as Grantee's intended use, Grantee shall not be required to service the written permission
of the owner for the Installation of cable television equipment.
F, No signals of a class IV cable communications channel may be transmitted from a
Subscriber terminal for purposes of monitoring .individual viewing patterns or practices
without the express written permission of a Subscriber. The request for permission must
be contained in a separate document with a prominent statement that the Subscriber is
authorizing the permission in full knowledge of its provisions. The written permission
must be for a limited period of time not to exceed one year which is renewal at the option
of the Subscriber. No penalty may be invoked for a Subscribers failure to provide or
renew the authorization. The authorization is revocable at any time by the Subscriber
without penalty of any kind. The permission must be required for each .type or
.classification or class IV cable communications activity planned.
1. No information or data obtained by monitoring transmission of a signal from a
Subscriber terminal, including but not limited to the lists of the names and addresses of
the Subscribers or lists that identify the viewing habits of Subscribers may be sold or
otherwise made available to any Person other than to Grantee and its employees for
internal business use, or to the Subscriber who is the subject of that information, unless
27
the Grantee has received specific written authorization from the Subscriber to make the
data available,
2. Written permission from the Subscriber must not be required for the systems
conducting system wide or individually addressed electronic sweeps for the purpose of
verifying system integrity or monitoring for the purpose of billing. Confidentiality of this
information is subject to paragraph 1 above.
3-11-37: SEVERABILITY: If any provision of this Ordinance is held. by any
Governmental Authority of competent jurisdiction, to be invalid as conflicting with
any Applicable Laws now or hereafter in effect, or is held by such Governmental Authority to
be modified in any way in order to conform to the requirements of any such Applicable Laws,
such provision shall be considered a separate, distinct, and independent part of this Ordinance,
and such holding shall not .affect the validity and enforceability of all other provisions hereof.
In the event that -such Applicable Laws are subsequently repealed, rescinded,. amended or
otherwise changed, so that the provision hereof which had been held invalid or modified is no
longer in conflict with such laws, said provision shall thereupon xeturn to full force and effect
and shall thereafter be binding on Grantor and Grantee, provided that Grantor shall give. Grantee
thirty (30) days written notice of such change before requiring compliance with said provision
or such longer period of time as may be reasonably required for Grantee to comply with such
provision.
SECTION 2. This ordinance shall be effective immediately upon its passage and
publication.
ADOPTED this 2nd day of November , 1998, by the City Council of the City of
Lakeville.
CITY OF LAKEVILLE
BY: ~ 1
uane R. Zaun, M
ATTES ~ .
Charlene Friedges, City C rk
28
VILLE
ORDINANCE NO. 636
City of Lakeville
Dakota County, Minnesota
-..AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE 3,
CHAPTER 11, OF THE LAKEVILLE CITY
CODE CONCERNING CABLE TELEVISION
3. A facility of a common carrier which is
Subject, in whole'orin part, -'to the'provi- :,
"- sions of 47 U.S.C."§§ 201-226, except that
such facility shall be considered a Cable ..i
-System (other than for purposes`of 47
U.S.C. § 541) to the extent such facility is
used in the transmission of video program-
ming directly. to 'subscribers;'Unless the
extent ofsuch use' is solely to provide in- '
VIITHEZ•EORDAICITYCOUNCILNS OF THE CITY OF LAKE
"
SECTION 1 Title 3, chapter 11 of the Lakeville
City Code is amended in its entirety to read as
CABLE TELEVISION -'
3-11-1: Intent
3-11-2: ''Definitions
3-11=3: ' Franchise to Install and Operate
3-11-4: "`--Franchise Required
3-11-5: Term of the Franchise
3-11-6: Franchise Territory -
3-11-7: = Federal, State and City Jurisdiction
3-11-8: ' Franchise Non -Transferable
3-11-9: City's Right to Purchase System
3-11-10: 'Purchase by City Upon Expiration
• or Revocation
3-11-11 Emergency Use
3-11-12: Geographical Coverage
3-1143:' Nonexclusive Franchise
3-11-14: Multiple Franchises
3=11-15:' Franchise Applications -
3 -11-16: Consideration of Initial Applications
3-11-17: Franchise Renewal
3 -11 -18:' -Consumer Protection and. Service
- Standards
3-11-19:: Rate Regulation
3-11-20: Franchise Fee
3-11-21: Design and Construction Require-
3-11-22:
equire.3 11 22: Technical Standards"
3-11-23: `Trimming of Trees
`:3-11.24:' Use` of Grantee Facilities'
3-11-25::Programming Decisions
3-11-26: Indemnification`;" -
3-11-27: Insurance,
3-11-28: Records Required and Grantor's
Right to Inspect ,
3-11-29: Annual Reports
3-11-30: Franchise Violation
3-11-31: Force Majeure; Grantee's Inability'
to Perform
3-11-32: Abandonment or Removal of
• Franchisee's Property
3-11-33: Extended Operation and Continuity
of Sery"ices-'
3-11.34: Receivership and: Foreclosure -
3-11-35: Rights Reserved to Grantor
3-11-36: Rights of Individuals
3-11.37: Severability '
3-11-1: INTENT. "••{
A: The City of Lakeville,'Minnesote pursuant
to Applicable Laws, is authorized to grant
one or. more nonexclusive Franchises to con-
struct, operate, maintain and reconstruct
Cable Television Systems within the City
. limits:
B. The City Council finds that the deveIt pment
of Cable Television Systems has the poten-
tial of having great benefit and impact upon
the =kestdenta; of the City. -Because of the :^
complex and rapidly changing technology r
associated with cable television, the City '
Council furtherfinds nds that the public cone-
ilience�;safety and -general welfare can best
be served by establishingregulatory powers
which` should be vested in the City en such
teractive on demand services;
4. An"open video system that complies with
Section 663 of the Cable Act or
5. Any' facilities of any electric utility, used
solely for operating its electric utilitysys
CABLE SERVICE: Cable service means
1. The one-way` transmission to Subscri
of (i) videoprogramming, os(lil other pro -
gramming service;'and -Tl §r` `
2.`Subscriber interaction if 'any which is
required for the Selection or use 'of such
video programming or other programming
service. -J-
CHANNEL or CABLE CHANNEL: A-portionof the
"-electroinagnetic frequency spectriim'which"
.' is used in •a Cable System "and which is
capable of delivering a television Channel as
defined by :the Federal Communications '
_Commission. - _ - :.. _
CLASS IV CABLE COMMUNICATIONS CHAN-
NEL A signaling path provided by a System
to traasiniti signals of any type from a Sub-
scriber terminal to another point inthe Sys-
„tem
COUNCIL: The City Council ofthe City dfLakeville,
Minnesota. 5
FRANCHISE Aninitial authorization or renewal
thereof, issued by the City, _(vhether such
authorization is designated ash a`Frenchise,
• 'permit, license,"resolution, contract;"certifi-
cate, agreement or: otherwise, which autho-
rizes the construction or operation of a Cable
• System over publicly owned rights-of.way.
FRANCHISE AGREEMENT: A Franchise.granted
pursuant to this Ordinance containing the
specific provisions of the Franchise granted; `.
including references, specifications, require-
mentsand other related matters.
FRANCHISE FEE: Any tax, fee or assessment of
any kind imposed by the City or any other
Governmental Authority on a .Grantee or
cable Subscriber, or both; solely because of
`their status as such.''. The term "Franchise
Fee"„ does not• include:. (i) any tax, fee or
assessment of general applicability, (includ-
ing any, such tax, fee or assessment imposed
on both utilities and cable operators or their
• services. but not -including a tax, fee, oras- -
aessment which is unduly discriminatory
against cable• operators or cable subscrib-
ers) (ii)'capital costs which are required by
the Franchise Agreement to be incurred by
they Grantee for,PEglAccess Facilities; (iii)
requirements or charges incidental to the
awarding or enforcing' of the Franchise, in-
cluding payments for bonds,_eecurity funds,
letters of credit, insurance, indemnification,.
penalties or liquidated damages; br (iv) any
fee imposed under Title 17 of the United
States Code r,;:: t
VERNMNTAL' AUTHORITY• Any Court? or,
Other federal, state, county, municipal or
• other governmental department, commis-=.
sion, board,, agency or- instrumentality --
GRANTEE: Any Person receiving a Franchise pur
suait to this Ordinance and its -agents; em
PUBL ATIO
n , being duly sworn,
/the is the publisher or
employee of the pub-
ier known as Lakeville
s full knowledge of the
d below:
er has complied with
is constituting qualifi-
d newspaper, as pro-
ta Statute 331A.02,
applicable laws, as
3-11
City of Lakeville
amending Title 3
;as cut from the columns
_1, and was printed and
Saturday, the 14th
1998; and printed
he lower case alphabet
iclusive, which is hereby
eing the size and kind of
composition and publica-
ijklmnopgrstuvwxyz
orn to before me on this
vember .1998.
,44M/a)
(2) Maximum rate allowed by law for the above PAULA K. CLINKSCALESCOUNTY
matter: $15.42 per column inch. 11P"'-- ; NOTARY PUBLIC - MINNESOTA
�. DAKOTA
(3) Rate actually charged for the above matter: MY commission expire` 12-20-98
$11.52 per column inch, lst week and $10.94
per column inch, successive weeks.
C-1WK