HomeMy WebLinkAboutORD1086ORDINANCE NO.1086
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APACHE
JUNCTION,ARIZONA,ADOPTING BY REFERENCE THAT CERTAIN DOCUMENT
ENTITLED "AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 14 OF VOLUME 1 OF THE APACHE
JUNCTION CITY CODE AMENDING IN ITS ENTIRETY CHAPTER 14 RELATING TO
CABLE SYSTEMS"PURSUANT TO ARIZONA REVISED STATUTES ANNOTATED
("A.R.S.")SECTION 9-802;REPEALING ANY CONFLICTING PROVISIONS;
PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY;AND PROVIDING FOR PENALTIES
WHEREAS,the City of Apache Junction is authorized to grant one or more
non-exclusive licenses pursuant to A.R.S.§§9-501 et seq.,for operating and
maintaining cable communications systems within the corporate boundaries of the
City;and
WHEREAS,pursuant to Ordinance No.281,on or about June 14,1984,the City
granted a fifteen (15) year non-exclusive cable television license to Dow -Sat of
Arizona,Inc.("Dow -Sat"),allowing Dow -Sat to install,construct,operate and
maintain a cable television system in and upon the City's streets,public rights-
of -way,and other public places within the corporate limits of the City;and
WHEREAS,the Apache Junction City Council,through adoption of Ordinance
No.281,also enacted Apache Junction City Code ("AJCC"),Vol.I ,Chapter 14
Cable Television,which the licensee agreed to abide by all sections therein,and
all provisions of the response to Request for Proposals submitted by Dowden
Communications,Inc.dated January 3,1984;and
WHEREAS,in the late 1980's to the early 1990's,Dow -Sat transferred its
duties and obligations under the agreement to Triax DD Cable Holdings,Inc.;and
WHEREAS,on or about April 5,1996,Triax DD Cable Holdings,Inc.,DD
Partners,L.P.,and various subsidiaries of DD Cable Holdings and new investors
entered into a Contribution Agreement whereby Triax would be restructured,and
would be the owner and operator of the cable system as licensed by the City;and
WHEREAS,on or about June 14,1996,the informal process was initiated
between the City and Triax for renewal of the non-exclusive communications system
license in order to extend Triax's authority to continue to provide cable
communication services throughout the corporate limits of the City of Apache
Junction;and
ORDINANCE NO.1086
PAGE 1 OF 3
WHEREAS,the City is currently considering Triax's transfer application and
if the City approves the transfer,Mediacom will become the Licensee in lieu of
Triax and will be required to assume all of the obligations of Triax under this
license;and
WHEREAS,in conjunction with preparation of new license terms between the
City and Triax,AJCC Vol.I,Chapter 14 Cable Television needs to be amended to
more fully meet federal statutory requirements.
WHEREFORE,the Mayor and City Council ordain as follows:
SECTION I.IN GENERAL
That certain document entitled "Amendments to Chapter 14 of Volume I of the
Apache Junction City Code Amending in its Entirety Chapter 14 Relating to Cable
Systems",three copies of which are on file in the office of the City Clerk of
the City of Apache Junction,Arizona,and which was made a public record by
Resolution No.99-27,is hereby referred to,adopted and made a part hereof as
if fully set out in this Ordinance,and as authorized by A.R.S.§9-802.
SECTION II.REPEALING ANY CONFLICTING PROVISIONS
All ordinances and parts of ordinances in conflict with the provisions of this
ordinance or any part of the code adopted herein by reference are hereby
repealed.
SECTION III.PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY
I f any section,subsection,sentence,phrase,clause or portion of this
ordinance,or any part of the code adopted herein by reference is for any reason
held to be invalid or unconstitutional by the decision of any court of competent
jurisdiction,such decisions shall not affect the validity of the remaining
portions thereof.
SECTION IV.PROVIDING FOR PENALTIES
Any violation under this Article is punishable pursuant to Apache Junction City
Code Chapter 1,General,Article 1-8(A).
ORDINANCE NO.1086
PAGE 2 OF 3
PASSED AND ADOPTED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION,
ARIZONA,THIS 3RD DAY OF AUGUST ,1999.
SIGNED AND ATTESTED TO THIS 30TH DAY OF NOVEMBER
ATTEST:
KATHLEEN CONNELLY
City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
11-3 -99
RICHARD J.STERN
City Attorney
ORDINANCE NO.1086
PAGE 3 OF 3
,1999.
- - - I.
DOUGLAS/ COLEMAN
Mayor
AMENDMENTS TO THE APACHE JUNCTION
CITY CODE,CHAPTER 14,CABLE SYSTEMS
Article 14-1 of Chapter 14,Cable Systems,of the Apache Junction City Code are
amended to read as follows:
Article 14-1 CABLE SYSTEMS
14-1-1 Title
14-1-2 Intent and Purpose
14-1-3 Definitions
14-1-4 Authority to Grant License,License Required,Non -Exclusive
License
14-1-5 Application Procedures
14-1-6 Standards for Granting or Denying License Applications
14-1-7 License Agreement Required
14-1-8 Operating Requirements for Cable Systems
14-1-9 Fees,Bonds,Letters of Credit,Liquidated Damages and Appeals
14-1-10 Termination and Revocation
14-1-11 Renewal
14-1-12 Transfer and Change of Control
14-1-13 Indemnity and Insurance
14-1-14 Administration
14-1-15 General Provisions
14-1-16 Rights Reserved to Council
14-1-17 Renewal of License for Triax Midwest Associates,L.P.
Section 14-1-1 Title
This chapter shall be entitled the "City of Apache Junction Cable Systems
Chapter."
Section 14-1-2 Intent and Purpose
It is the intent of the City to promote the public health,safety and general
welfare by providing for the grant of one or more licenses for the construction
and operation of a Cable System;to provide for the regulation of each Cable
System by the City;to provide for the payment of fees and other valuable
consideration by a Licensee to the City for the privilege of using the public
AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 14,CABLE SYSTEMS
PAGE 1 OF 59
rights -of -way for constructing and operating a Cable System;to promote the
widespread availability of Cable Service to City residents wherever economically
feasible,including,but not limited to those who reside in multi -family
buildings and in rural communities; to encourage the development of Cable Service
as a means of communication between and among the members of the public and
public institutions;and to encourage the provision of diverse information to the
community over Cable.
Section 14-1-3 Definitions
For purposes of this chapter,the following words,abbreviations and their
derivations shall have the meanings given herein.Words not defined are given
the meaning in Section 602 of the Cable Act,47 U.S.C.Subsection 522,and,i f
none,their common and ordinary meaning.When not inconsistent with the context,
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.The words "must"and "shall"are mandatory and the word "may"is
permissive.
A."Access Channel"means any channel set aside under the license
agreement for public use,educational use,or governmental use
without a charge to the user by the Licensee for channel usage.An
access channel may be scheduled or may be operated so that any
member of the general public may cablecast.
B."Activated Channels" means those Channels engineered at the headend
of a Cable System for the provision of services generally available
to residential Subscribers of the Cable System,regardless of
whether such services actually are provided,including any Channel
designated for public,education or governmental use.
C."Actual cost" means the actual cost to the Licensee of materials and
labor necessary to perform installation,construction,or
maintenance of facilities.
D."Affiliate"means any person who owns or controls,is owned or
controlled by,or is under common ownership or control with the
Licensee.
E."Applicant"means any person that applies for a License.
AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 14,CABLE SYSTEMS
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F."Application"means a proposal to construct and operate a Cable
System within the City,transfer a License,renew a License,or
modify a License.An application includes the initial proposal plus
all subsequent amendments or supplements to the proposal and
relevant correspondence.
G."Basic Cable service"means any service tier that includes the
retransmission of local television broadcast signals.
H."Cable Act"means the Cable Communications Policy Act of 1984,47
U.S.C.§§521 et seq.
I ."Cable operator"means any person or group of persons:
1.who provides Cable Service over a Cable System and directly or
through one or more Affiliates owns a significant interest in
such Cable System,or
2.who otherwise controls or is responsible for,through any
arrangement,the management and operation of such a Cable
System.
J."Cable Service"means the one-way transmission to Subscribers of
video programming or other programming services and Subscriber
interaction,if any,which is required for the selection or use of
such video programming or other programming service.
K."Cable System" or "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 the City,but such term does not
include;
1.a facility that serves only to retransmit the television
signals of one or more television broadcast stations;
2.a facility that serves Subscribers without using any public
rights -of -way;
AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 14,CABLE SYSTEMS
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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 i f 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 47 U.S.C.§573;or
5.any facilities of any electric utility used solely for
operating its electric utility System.
The foregoing definition of "Cable System"shall not be deemed to
circumscribe or limit the valid authority of the City to regulate or
license the activities of any other communications System or
provider of communications services to the full extent permitted by
law.
L."Channel" means a six Megahertz (MHZ)frequency spectrum,which is
suitable for carrying either one standard video signal,a number of
audio,digital or other non -video signals or some combination of
such signals.
M."Channel Equivalent"means the system capacity required to provide
the transmission of a video signal,with accompanying audio,that is
in digital format and capable of producing sound and picture of NTSC
quality or better,based on the compression technology then in use
in the Cable System.
N."City" means the City of Apache Junction,a municipal corporation of
the State of Arizona,in its present boundaries,and its future
boundaries as increased or decreased by law.
0."City Manager"means the chief executive officer of the City or
designee.
P."Complaint" means a Subscriber or citizen issue,presented in verbal
or written form,to the Licensee or the City relating to any
regulatable aspect of the Licensee's performance under this chapter.
AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 14,CABLE SYSTEMS
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Q."Consumer Price Index or CPI"means the annual average of the
Consumer Price Index for all Urban Consumers (CPI -U),as published
by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
R."Converter" means a tuning device which converts transmitted signals
to a frequency which permits their reception on a television set.
S."Council"means the City Council of the City of Apache Junction.
T."Day" means calendar day.
U."Dwelling unit"means any separate and distinct structure or part
thereof which exists in finished form,occupied or capable of year-
round occupation,and serves as a residence to one or more persons.
Included in this definition,but not limited to are:all single
family homes,each apartment unit,each condominium unit,patio
homes,guest quarters and similar type structures.
V."Fair market value"means the price that a willing buyer would pay
to a willing seller.
W."FCC" means the Federal Communications Commission.
X."Federal agency" means any agency of the United States.
Y."Grade B contour" means the field strength of a television broadcast
station computed in accordance with regulations promulgated by the
FCC.
Z."Gross Revenues" means any and all revenues received,or in any way
derived directly or indirectly by Licensee,its affiliates,
subsidiaries,parent or person in which Licensee has financial
interest of five percent (5%)or more,or by any other entity that
is a Cable Operator of the System,from the operation of the
Licensee's Cable System in City (including the studios and other
facilities associated therewith)to provide Cable Services.Gross
Revenues include,by way of illustration and not limitation,
monthly fees charged Subscribers for any basic,optional,premium,
per -channel,per -program service,or Cable programming service;
installation,disconnection,reconnection and change -in-service
fees;upgrade and downgrade fees;leased channel fees;late fees;
AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 14,CABLE SYSTEMS
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revenues from rentals or sales of Converters,lock -out devices or
other equipment;any studio rental,production equipment,and
personnel fees;advertising revenues;fees related to commercial and
institutional usage of the I -net to provide Cable Service;to the
extent permitted under the Cable Act,Internet access fees,cable
modem service fees resulting from the provision of data services;
barter;revenues from program guides;revenues from the sale or
carriage of other cable -related services;and revenues from home
shopping,bank -at-home channels,and other revenue sharing
arrangements.Gross Revenues shall not include:
1.to the extent consistent with generally accepted accounting
principles,actual bad debt write-offs,provided,however,
that all or part of any such actual bad debt that is written
off but subsequently collected shall be included in Gross
Revenues in the period collected;or
2.any taxes on services furnished by the Licensee which are
imposed directly on any Subscriber or used by the State,
County,or other governmental unit and which are collected by
the Licensee on behalf of said governmental unit.A License
fee is not such a tax.
AA."Interactive on -demand services"means a service providing video
programming to Subscribers over switched networks on an on -demand,
point-to-point basis,but does not include services providing video
programming prescheduled by the programming provider.
BB."Labor costs"means actual cost to Licensee of contract labor or
hourly wages or apportioned salaries of Licensee's employees plus
fully loaded labor costs.
CC."License"means an initial authorization,or renewal thereof
(including a renewal of an authorization which has been granted
subject to Title 47 U.S.C.§546),issued by a licensing authority,
whether such authorization is designated as a franchise,permit,
resolution,contract,certificate,agreement,or otherwise,which
authorizes the construction or operation of a Cable System.
DD."License agreement" means a contract entered into in accordance with
the provisions of this chapter between the City and a Licensee that
AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 14,CABLE SYSTEMS
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sets forth the terms and conditions under which the License will be
exercised.
EE."License area"means the entire existing territorial limits of the
City and any area annexed thereto during the term of the License.
FF."Licensee"means any person who has been granted a License by the
City or any lawful transferee or successor interest.
GG."Material costs"means actual cost of material to Licensee,
including sales tax and freight paid,plus handling and processing
charges equal to three percent (3%)of material costs.
HH."Multichannel video programming distributor" means a person such as,
but not limited to,a Cable Operator,a multichannel multipoint
distribution service,a direct broadcast satellite service,or a
television receive -only satellite program distributor,who makes
available for purchase,by Subscribers or customers,multiple
channels of video programming.
II."Normal business hours" means those hours during which most similar
businesses in the community are 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.
JJ."Normal operating conditions" means those service conditions which
are within the control of the Cable Operator.Those conditions
which are not within the control of the Cable Operator 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 within the control of the
Cable Operator include,but are not limited to,special promotions,
pay -per -view events,rate increases,regular peak or seasonal demand
periods,and maintenance,upgrade or rebuild of the Cable System.
KK."Other programming service" means information that a Cable Operator
makes available to all Subscribers generally.
LL."Person"means any individual,corporation,partnership,
association,joint venture,or organization of any kind and the
AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 14,CABLE SYSTEMS
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lawful trustee,successor,assignee,transferee,or personal
representative thereof.
MM."Public Rights -of -Way"means the surface,the air space above the
surface,and the area below the surface of any public street,
highway,lane,path,alley,sidewalk,boulevard,drive,bridge,
tunnel,park,parkway,waterway,easement,or similar property
within the City,which,consistent with the purposes for which i t
was dedicated,may be used for the purpose of installing and
maintaining the Cable System.No reference herein to a "Public
right -of -Way" shall be deemed to be a representation or guarantee by
the City that its interest or other right to control the use of such
property is sufficient to permit its use for such purposes,and a
Licensee shall be deemed to gain only those rights to use as are
properly in the City and as the City may have the right and power to
give.
NN."School"means any public educational institution,which is
accredited by a nationally recognized institution,including primary
and secondary schools,colleges and universities.
00."Service interruption" means the loss of picture or sound on one or
more Cable Channels or channel equivalents.
PP."Service tier" means a category of Cable Service or other services
provided by a Cable Operator and for which a separate rate is
charged by the Cable Operator.
QQ."Standard drop" means that Cable connection which requires no more
than one hundred fifty foot (150')drop measured from the ground
block on the subscriber's home or place of business to the nearest
active tap on the Cable System,involving only one outlet and
standard materials and does not involve a wallfish.In addition,a
standard drop shall exclude custom installation work including
specific Subscriber requested work that requires nonstandard
inventory or Cable routing that requires construction methods
exceeding reasonable underground or aerial work.
RR."State"means any state,or political subdivision,or agency
thereof.
AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 14,CABLE SYSTEMS
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SS."Street" means the surface,the air space above the surface and the
area below the surface of any public street,road,highway,path,
sidewalk,alley,court,easement or other public right-of-way or
public place now or hereafter held by the City,County of Pinal or
State or Arizona for the purpose of public travel or public
utilities.
IT."Subscriber" means any individual or entity legally receiving,for
any purpose,Cable Services of the Licensee's Cable System
including,but not limited to,the basic service,redistribution of
television broadcast signals,radio signals,licensee's original
Cable casting,community programming,government and education
access channels and other services such as leased channels,data and
facsimile distribution,premium and pay -per -view channels and
police,fire and similar public service communication.
UU."System outage"means a sService 41nterruption affecting more than
ten (10)Subscribers.
VV."System rebuild"or "rebuild"means a major improvement or
enhancement in the technology or service capabilities made by the
Licensee to the Cable System.
WW."Two-way capability"means the incorporation in a cable system of
all appropriate design and engineering characteristics so that two-
way transmission,including addressability,over the system can be
implemented with a minimum of expense.Such two-way capability
specifically includes,but is not limited to,services for Internet
access and pay -per -view as well as emerging technologies.
XX."Usable activated channels"means activated channels of a Cable
System,except those channels whose use for the distribution of
broadcast signals would conflict with technical and safety
regulations as determined by the FCC.
YY."Video programming"means programming provided by,or generally
considered comparable to programming provided by,a television
broadcast station.
AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 14,CABLE SYSTEMS
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Section 14-1-4 Authority to Grant License.License Required.
Non -Exclusive License
A.Pursuant to A.R.S.§9-505,as amended,the Council has the authority
to issue non-exclusive licenses to construct,install,maintain and
operate Cable communication systems within the City,and to regulate
those Cable operations.The Council's authority is also based in
common law pursuant to the City's ownership of the fee simple title
to the streets of the town as well as its legal interest in
easements and licenses granted to i t by property owners for the
purposes of municipal use.
B.No provision of this chapter shall be deemed or construed to require
the granting of a License.
C.No person shall construct,install or maintain a Cable System within
any street in the City,or within any other public property of the
City,unless a License Agreement authorizing such use of said
streets or property is in full force and effect.
D.All licenses issued by the Council shall be non-exclusive,on terms
and conditions no more favorable and no less burdensome among cable
service providers,and the Council specifically reserves the right
to grant such additional licenses for Cable Systems as the Council
deems appropriate.
E.Any terms and conditions of agreements between Licensee and other
entities or municipalities shall not effect any of the terms and
conditions including but not limited to the rates,services,and
work schedules,set forth in a License Agreement negotiated between
the City of Apache Junction and Licensee.
Section 14-1-15 Application Procedures
A.Any person desiring to construct,install,maintain or operate a
Cable communication System within the City who is not lawfully the
holder of a License to provide Cable Service in City as of the
Effective Date of this Ordinance shall submit an application to the
Council.This application shall consist of executed application
forms as prescribed and furnished by the City.Failure of any
applicant to fully provide all information requested on the
AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 14,CABLE SYSTEMS
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application forms will be sufficient cause for not considering the
application.This application shall be filed with the City Clerk.
All applications filed with the City Clerk shall remain the property
of the City and shall constitute a public record pursuant to state
law.The Council reserves the right to issue a request for
proposals for Cable System services at any time.Applications
submitted pursuant to a request for proposals may be returned as
non -responsive if they do not comply with all requirements of the
request.
B.Applications for consent to transfer a License or an interest in a
License must conform to the requirements of Section 14-1-12 of this
chapter,while applications for renewal,must conform to Section 14-
1-11.
C.An application for modification of a License Agreement must at a
minimum,include the following information:
1.The specific modification requested;
2.The justification for the requested modification,including
the impact of the requested modification on Subscribers and
others,and the impact on the applicant if the modification is
not approved;
3.A statement as to whether the modification sought is pursuant
to 47 U.S.C.§545,and,i f so,a demonstration that the
requested modification meets the legal standards of said
section;and
4.Any other information necessary for the Council to make a
determination.
D.To be acceptable for filing,an application must be submitted with
any required filing fee,be property executed on the forms
prescribed by the Council,and contain the information required by
any required application form,this chapter,and meet the
requirements of any applicable request for proposals.
AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 14,CABLE SYSTEMS
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Section 14-1-6 Standards for Granting or Denying License Applications
A.All applications received that are acceptable for filing shall be
placed in a public file with the City Clerk.The Council shall
publish notice of each application in a newspaper of general
circulation within the proposed service area once a week for two
consecutive weeks.The notice shall indicate the following:
1.The proposed service,or changes in service,and/or
2.Proposed changes in ownership;and
3.Where the application may be viewed;and
4.The due date for submission of any written comments;and
5.The date and location of a public hearing on the proposed
application.
B.Notice of such hearing shall be published and held in accordance
with the provision of A.R.S.§9-507(B).All interested parties
shall be afforded a reasonable opportunity to be heard.
C.The Council shall give full consideration to each application.The
following factors may be deemed appropriate and shall be considered:
1.The financial qualifications of the applicant and its ability
to construct and operate the proposed System.
2.The need for and quality of the service proposed,including
rates to Subscribers,whether or not rates are to be
regulated.
3.The technical,legal and character qualifications of the
applicant,including applicant's willingness to abide by the
limitations of this chapter.
4.Technical and performance adequacy of the proposed System
design,plant and equipment,including any specific knowledge
or experience the Council may have with the applicant.
AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 14,CABLE SYSTEMS
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5.Where an applicant proposes to overbuild an existing Cable
System,the economic and technical feasibility of multiple
Cable systems,the impact on the existing licensee's System
and the public interest if the application were to be granted.
6.All other factors which may affect the public interest.
D.Thereafter,the Council shall make a determination whether to
approve or disapprove each application.
Section 14-1-7 License Agreement Required
A.Upon the approval of an application by the Council,the applicant
shall negotiate and execute a License Agreement within fifteen (15)
days.If the Council and the Licensee fail to agree on the terms of
a License Agreement within fifteen (15)days from the date that the
Council approves the application,the approval shall expire without
further action by the Council.This time limit may be extended by
the Council only upon a majority vote of the Council.The License
Agreement shall incorporate all terms and provisions of this chapter
wherein a requirement is placed upon the Licensee,either expressed
or implied by this chapter.The Licensee shall expressly and
specifically agree to accept and be bound by the terms of this
chapter.
B.A License Agreement shall have the minimum following
characteristics,but the City and Licensee may negotiate additional
terms and conditions consistent with Section 14-1-4 herein,state
and federal law:
1.It authorizes use of the Public Rights -of -Way for installing
cables,wires,lines and other facilities to operate a Cable
System,but does not expressly or implicitly authorize the
Licensee to provide service to,or install Cable,wires,lines
or any other equipment or facilities upon property without
owner consent [except for compatible easements or rights -of-
way pursuant to 47 U.S.C.§541(a)(2)],or to use publicly or
privately owned utility poles or conduits without a separate
agreement with the owners.I t also authorizes the Licensee
to so use,operate and provide similar facilities or
properties rented,licensed or leased from other persons,
AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 14,CABLE SYSTEMS
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firms or corporations,including but not limited to,any
public utility or other Licensee licensed or permitted to do
business in the town;provided,however,that neither the
Licensee nor the third party shall be relieved of any
regulation or obligation as to its use of such facilities in
the streets.
2.I t is subject to the paramount right of use of the public
rights -of -way by the Council and the public for public
purposes.The Council reserves the right to authorize use of
Public Rights -of -Way to other persons as i t determines
appropriate.
3.I t is nonexclusive and will not expressly or implicitly
preclude the issuance of other licenses to operate Cable
systems within the City.
4.I t conveys no property right to the Licensee or right to
renewal other than as may be required by state or federal law.
5.It constitutes a contract between the Licensee and the Council
once i t is approved by the Council and executed by both
parties.A Licensee contractually commits itself to comply
with the terms,conditions and provisions of the License
Agreement and with all applicable laws,ordinances,codes,
rules,regulations and orders.
6.In no case shall the term of any License agreement exceed
fifteen (15)years commencing on its effective date.A
greater period of time is prohibited.
7.A Licensee shall execute a hold harmless agreement as part of
the License agreement which shall set forth the obligation of
the Licensee over and above the insurance requirements
contained in the License and this chapter.
8.A Licensee shall be subject to all laws,rules and regulations
of the State of Arizona and the United States Government.
9.Any of the provisions of this chapter may be amended by the
Council at any time.This chapter and such amended provisions
AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 14,CABLE SYSTEMS
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shall be applicable to all existing License Agreements:
provided,however,that this chapter and such amended
provisions shall not be applicable to an existing agreement
where it would contravene a contractual right of the Licensee
under the License Agreement.
10.All notices and communications from a Licensee to the Council
pursuant to this chapter or a License agreement shall be sent
to the City Manager unless the Licensee is otherwise directed.
11.Insofar as it is not inconsistent with or otherwise preempted
by federal or state regulations,the License Agreement shall
grant the right and privilege to the Licensee to provide non-
Cable communications services.Insofar as i t is not
inconsistent with or otherwise preempted by federal or state
regulations,the Council shall retain all authority to
regulate non -Cable telecommunication services to the extent
necessary to protect the public interest and to ensure
compliance with all provisions of this chapter.
Section 14-1-8 Operating Requirements for Cable Systems
A Licensee shall conform to the following minimum standards relative to the
construction,operation and maintenance of a Cable System in the City.It is not
the intent of this article to prevent any Licensee from providing more than the
required minimum to meet the standards listed below.
A.Rights of individuals,Subscribers and users:
1.A Cable System shall be operated in a manner consistent with
the principles of fairness and equal accessibility of
facilities,channels,studios and other services to all
residents and other entities having a legitimate use of the
System.A Licensee shall not discriminate in terms of rates,
terms of service or extension of service on the basis of age,
race,creed,sex,religion,national origin or marital status.
Nor shall a Licensee fail to extend service to any part of the
City on the basis of the income of the residents.This
provision shall not restrict Licensee's ability to provide
senior citizen or other similar discounts.
AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 14,CABLE SYSTEMS
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2.A Licensee shall maintain a business office open during normal
business hours with listed local or toll -free telephone
numbers to allow reasonable access by Subscribers and members
of the public.The office shall be conveniently and centrally
located within the corporate limits of the City.When the
office is closed,an answering machine or similar device,
capable of receiving service complaints and inquiries must be
employed.Such office shall be open to the public between the
hours of 9:00 a.m.to 5:00 p.m.Mondays through Fridays,and
9:00 a.m.to 12:00 noon on Saturdays,during such hours
Licensee will provide staff to field all Subscriber questions,
complaints,billing procedures,and exchange of converter
boxes.
3.Licensee shall maintain a written record listing date of all
complaints,identifying the Subscriber or citizen,describing
the nature of the complaint and when and what action has been
taken by the Licensee,if any,in response thereto;such
record shall be kept at the Licensee's office;and,subject to
Subscriber privacy laws,shall be available for inspection
during regular business hours without further notice of demand
of the City Manager.A summary of such records must be
retained for not less than one year.The Licensee shall
notify each subscriber at the time of initial subscription of
the procedure to reporting and resolving complaints.
4.A Licensee shall establish procedures for the investigation
and resolution of all complaints including,but not limited
to,those regarding the quality of service and equipment
malfunction.A copy of such procedures shall be provided to
the Council upon request.
5.A Licensee must provide each Subscriber at the time Cable
Service is installed,the following:
a.written instructions for placing a service call filing
a complaint or requesting an adjustment,including the
phone number and address of Licensee's office;
b.the telephone number of the City office responsible for
administration of the Cable License;
AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 14,CABLE SYSTEMS
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c.a schedule of rates and charges for all available
services;
d.copies of the service contract,including disconnect and
reconnect procedures and charges;
e.a Subscriber handbook and upon request any other written
policies applicable to Subscribers.
6.A Licensee shall establish and conform to the following policy
regarding refunds to Subscribers and users:
a.If the Licensee collects a deposit or advance charge on
any service or equipment requested by a Subscriber or
user,the Licensee shall provide such service or
equipment within thirty (30)days of the collection of
the deposit or charge or it shall refund such deposit or
charge within five (5)days thereafter upon request of
the Subscriber.The Subscriber must be advised of this
right of refund at the time the order is placed.
b.If any Subscriber or user terminates any monthly service
during a period of time for which said Subscriber or
user has made an annual or other payment in advance,the
appropriate pro rata portion of said payment shall be
refunded by the Licensee.
7.The following requirements shall apply to disconnections:
a.There shall be no charge for total disconnection of
Cable Service unless such charge was disclosed at the
time the Subscriber ordered service.All Cable
communications equipment shall be removed within a
reasonable time from a Subscriber's property at the
Subscriber's request,such time not to exceed thirty
(30)days from the date of the request.
b.I f any Subscriber fails to pay a properly due monthly
Subscriber's fee or other charge,the Licensee may
disconnect the subscriber's service outlet;provided,
however,that such disconnection shall not be effected
AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 14,CABLE SYSTEMS
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until thirty (30) days after the due date of the charges
and shall include a prior written notice to the
Subscriber of the intent to disconnect.After
disconnection,upon payment in full of all proper
charges or fees,including the payment of any
reconnection charge,the Licensee shall promptly
reinstate the service.The Licensee may require a sixty
(60)day prepayment of services as a condition to
reconnection.
8.Other than testing of the EAS system,a Licensee may interrupt
service on the Cable System only for good cause and for the
shortest time possible.No prior notice shall be required for
the performance of System maintenance work requiring a maximum
of one (1)hour between the hours of 2:00 a.m.and 6:00 a.m.
9.A Licensee shall at all times comply with Subscriber privacy
provisions of 47 U.S.C.§551.
10.No equipment shall be installed by the Licensee for Subscriber
Service without first securing a service request from the
owner or resident of any private property involved,except in
public utility easements.
11.A Licensee shall not originate or knowingly permit subliminal
transmission at any time for any purpose whatsoever.
12.A Licensee shall make available leased access channels as
required under 47 U.S.C.§532.
13.A Licensee shall strictly adhere to the equal employment
opportunity requirements of the FCC,47 U.S.C.§554,state
statutes and local regulations,and as the same may be amended
from time to time.
B.Cable System Construction Timetable:
1.A Cable System shall be constructed in accordance with the
provision of the License Agreement.
AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 14,CABLE SYSTEMS
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2.It is the policy of the Council to require construction of a
Cable System designed to serve Subscribers in an area licensed
by the Council as rapidly and expeditiously as possible.The
Licensee shall immediately upon granting of the License
Agreement diligently pursue and obtain all necessary permits
from the appropriate governmental agencies,utility companies
and others as necessary to comply with the provision of this
chapter and other federal,state and City laws,codes and
resolutions.Licensee shall comply with the City of Apache
Junction Engineering Guidelines (Ordinance No.932)and
Article 13-3 of Volume I of the Apache Junction City Code
regarding encroachment permits,currently in effect and as
amended by Council.
3.A Cable System shall be constructed pursuant to a construction
timetable specified in the License Agreement.
4.Any delay beyond the terms of the timetable specified in the
License Agreement may be considered a violation of the terms
of this chapter and the License Agreement.Unless the
Licensee can establish that the delay was due to factors
beyond its control,the Licensee may be considered in default
of the License Agreement and the City Manager may take
whatever action the City Manager is entitled to under this
chapter and the License Agreement.
5.The Licensee shall not be considered in default of the
applicable construction schedule if the City Manager approves
a modification of the schedule change in advance.In
submitting a request for a construction schedule modification,
the Licensee must fully explain the reasons for the delay,in
writing.The delay must be disapproved by the City Manager if
the request is not reasonably justified,would have
unreasonably discriminating results,or would unduly delay
service to an area.Such modification request shall be
considered granted unless the Licensee is notified by the City
Manager to the contrary in writing within forty-five (45) days
of the date on which the request was filed.
6.The City Manager may require a Licensee to report on
construction progress and provide information showing
AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 14,CABLE SYSTEMS
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specifically whether the construction schedule is being met
and the reasons for the delay.The City Manager shall
determine the format to be used for the report and the
frequency of reporting.
7.Where appropriate and reasonable,a Licensee shall schedule
construction activities to coordinate with any City
construction on streets so as to avoid unnecessary
inconvenience to the public.
C.Line Extension Policy:
Unless the License Agreements provides otherwise,a Licensee shall
be required to extend its Cable System pursuant to the following
requirements:
1.Upon reasonable request for service by any person located
within any area of the City that meets density requirements of
paragraph 2 of this subsection,the Licensee shall,within
thirty (30)days,furnish the requested service to such
person,unless prevented from providing said service due to
factors outside Licensee's control,such as permit
restrictions,private easement considerations,etc.If such
service has not been implemented within sixty (60)days of
said request,the City Manager may impose liquidated damages
for each day thereafter.
2.The Licensee must extend and make Cable service available to
every unserved Dwelling Unit within any area of the City
reaching the minimum density of at least twenty-five (25)
Dwelling Units per mile of plant as measured from Licensee's
nearest activated feeder line,whether the existing plant is
aerial or underground,except that the Licensee shall not be
required to install Cable where another authorized Licensee
has already done so.Licensee shall complete line extensions
to an area reaching a density of at least five (5)homes
within one thousand fifty-six feet (1,056') of existing active
cable plant,or where an area has more than five (5)homes,at
least one (1)home per 211 street feet including the distance
to existing active cable plant.Upon request,this density
requirement may be modified by the Council for a specific
AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 14,CABLE SYSTEMS
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Licensee,provided said Licensee demonstrates that it would be
commercially impracticable if Licensee's compliance with said
requirement would create a significant adverse impact on the
capital costs of Licensee's City of Apache Junction cable
system.
3.The Licensee shall prevent unnecessary damage to streets and
property by installing underground Cable or conduit in all new
subdivisions of five (5)or more dwelling units within the
License Area at the same time,in the same trench as
telephone,electric or similar services are installed.Cable
need not be installed and activated until the new subdivision
meets the criteria established for line extensions.
4.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:
a.The developer shall be responsible for contacting and
surveying all Licensees to ascertain which Licensees
desire (or,pursuant to the terms and provisions of this
Ordinance and any License Agreement,may be required) to
provide Cable Service to that development.The
developer may establish a reasonable deadline to receive
responses from Licensees.The final development map
shall indicate the Licensees which have agreed to serve
the development.
b.If one (1)or more Licensees 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)
Licensees 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
AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 14,CABLE SYSTEMS
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subsequently leases or sells occupancy or use rights to
any Licensee.
c.The developer shall provide at least ten (10)business
days notice of the date that utility trenches will be
open to the Licensees that have agreed to serve the
development.When the trenches are open,such Licensees
shall have two (2)business days to begin the
Installation of their cables,and five (5) business days
after beginning Installation to complete Installation.
d.The final development map shall not be approved until
the developer submits evidence that:
(1)I t has notified each Licensee that underground
utility trenches are to open as of an estimated
date,and that each Licensee 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
(2)It has received a written notification from each
Licensee that the Licensee 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 Licensee,or has received no
reply from a Licensee within ten (10)days after
its notification to such Licensee,in which case
the Licensee will be deemed to have waived its
opportunity to install facilities during the open
trench period.
e.Sharing the joint utilities trench shall be subject to
compliance with State regulatory agency and utility
standards.I f 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 Licensee(s).With the concurrence of the
developer,the affected utilities and the Licensee's
AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 14,CABLE SYSTEMS
PAGE 22 OF 59
alternative Installation procedures,such as the use of
deeper trenches,may be utilized,subject to the
requirements of Applicable Laws.
f.Any Licensee 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.
5.The Licensee must extend and make Cable Service available to
any resident requesting connection within the Licensee's
authorized License Area at the regular installation charge if
the connection to the resident would require no more than a
one hundred fifty foot (150')drop line,and provided that
paragraph 2 of this subsection is met.
6.With respect to requests for connection requiring a drop line
in excess of one hundred fifty feet (150'),the Licensee must
extend service to such residents at a one time charge not to
exceed the actual costs incurred by the Licensee for the
distance exceeding one hundred fifty feet (150').Licensee
may collect the installation charge in advance,however,no
more than thirty (30)days in advance of anticipated
construction.
D.Construction and Technical Standards:
The following general requirements,which are not to be interpreted
as imposing standards in excess of FCC imposed limits,apply to all
Licensees.
1.In those areas and portions of the License Area where the
transmission an distribution facilities of the telephone
company and the electric company are underground or later
placed underground,the Licensee shall likewise install its
transmission facilities underground.
2.In areas where facilities do not have to be underground,a
Licensee shall not erect any new poles along any Street or
Public Rights -of -Way of the City except as may be reasonably
AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 14,CABLE SYSTEMS
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required or necessary to fill small gaps in the existing
aerial utility systems and only then with the advance approval
of the City Manager.
3.All television signals transmitted on a Cable System must
include any closed captioning information for the hearing
impaired.Antennas,supporting structures and outside plant
used in the System must be designed to comply with the
recommendations of the Electronics Industries Association and
applicable federal and local regulations on tower structures
and outside plant.
4.The Licensee must perform at its expense any proof of
performance tests designed to demonstrate compliance with the
requirements of this chapter,the License Agreement,and the
FCC.The City Manager may require periodic proof of
performance tests to be performed at the expense of the
Licensee.Upon request,the Licensee must provide the test
results promptly to the City Manager.
5.The Licensee must advise the City Manager a minimum of thirty
(30) days in advance when a proof of performance test pursuant
to 47 C.F.R.76.605(a)(4)[or subsequently renumbered]is
scheduled.The Licensee must also advise the City Manager of
its anticipated schedule for any other FCC required testing a
minimum of thirty (30)days in advance of such testing.
6.A Licensee must not design,install or operate its facilities
in a manner that will interfere with the signals of any FCC
licensed service,including but not limited to television ,
radio,satellite,two-way and paging services,the electrical
or telephone system located in any portion of the City,the
Cable System of another Licensee,or individual or master
antennas used for receiving amateur radio television,radio,
or other FCC authorized signals.
7.A Licensee must obtain a transaction privilege tax license to
conduct business in the corporate limits of the City.In
addition,Licensee shall notify to the City Clerk of any and
all construction agreements it has with any independent
contractors and their subcontractors for any work to be
AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 14,CABLE SYSTEMS
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performed within the City.All contractors and subcontractors
must be licensed in the State of Arizona.
8.The System shall meet or exceed FCC requirements as set forth
in 47 C.F.R.76 (K).If federal law is subsequently amended
or minimum technical specifications are no longer mandated by
the FCC,the technical specifications in effect at the time of
adoption of the License Agreement shall govern.
E.Maintenance Specifications:
1.The Licensee shall construct,install and maintain its Cable
System in an orderly and workmanlike manner.The safety of
the general public,the Licensee's employees,the employees of
the utility companies and all nearby property owners shall be
a primary concern.
2.All cables are to be installed,to the maximum extent
possible,parallel with electric and telephone distribution
facilities.Licensee's Multiple -Cable configurations shall be
arranged in parallel and bundled to the maximum extent
pOS sible.
3.As between Licensee and the City,the Licensee shall be solely
and completely responsible for the actions taken by any
contractor or other agent employed to construct or install the
Licensee's facilities on streets as well as on public or
private property.
4.A Licensee shall have available at all hours personnel capable
of responding to emergency conditions requiring immediate
repair to its cable facilities.The Licensee shall be a
member of the Blue Stake Center,or otherwise comply with
state underground law,for its service area.
5.In the event that Licensee property,or the facilities and
equipment of unauthorized Cable communication providers,has
been installed in a Street or other dedicated Public Rights-
of -Way without complying with the requirements of this
chapter,or the License has been terminated,revoked or
expired,or the use of any Licensee property is discontinued
AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 14,CABLE SYSTEMS
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for any reason for a continuous period of two (2)months,
Licensee or any unauthorized Cable communication provider,
shall at its sole expense on the demand of the City Manager
remove promptly from the street all Licensee or unauthorized
Cable communication provider property other than that which
the City Manager may permit to be abandoned in place absent
any rights Licensee has under state and federal law.Upon
such removal of subject property,Licensee or unauthorized
Cable communication provider shall promptly restore the street
or other public places from which the subject property was
removed to a condition as near as possible to its prior
condition.Subject property no longer in service may be left
in place with the approval of and in a manner prescribed by
the City Manager.Upon abandonment of said property in place,
Licensee or unauthorized Cable communication provider shall
deliver to the City Manager an instrument transferring
ownership of the subject abandoned property to the City.Any
cost arising from compliance with this provision shall be
borne by the Licensee or unauthorized Cable communication
provider.
F.Use of Streets:
1.A Licensee must utilize,with the owner's permission,existing
poles,conduits or such other facilities whenever possible.
2.All transmission lines and other equipment must be installed
and located to minimize interference with the rights and
reasonable convenience of public and private property owners.
The Council reserves the right to issue such reasonable rules
and regulations concerning the installation and maintenance of
Cable Systems in the Public Rights -of -Way,as may be
consistent with this chapter,state and federal law.In
addition,Licensee shall become a member of the Blue Stake
Center,or its functional equivalent,within thirty (30)days
following the effective date of this Agreement.
3.The Licensee shall have at all times up-to-date route maps
showing trunk and distribution lines.Licensee shall make all
such maps available for review by the appropriate City
personnel,and shall be provided on at least a yearly basis.
AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 14,CABLE SYSTEMS
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Licensee shall,in addition to the paper maps,also provide
the City with updated maps in a suitable electronic format
determined by the City at least every three (3)months if
changes to the plant have occurred during the three (3)month
period.
4.All construction practices shall be in accordance with all
applicable sections of the Occupational Safety & Health Act of
1970,as amended,as well as other applicable laws.
5.A Licensee must remove,replace or modify at its own expense,
any of its facilities within any Public Right -of -Way when
required to do so by the City Manager to allow the City to
change,maintain,repair,improve or eliminate a public
thoroughfare.Nothing in this article shall prevent Licensee
from seeking and obtaining reimbursement from sources other
than the City.
6.On streets where electrical and telephone utility wiring are
located underground,either at the time of initial
construction or subsequently,the cable must also be located
underground at the Licensee's expense.Between a street or
road and Subscriber's residence,the Cable must be located
underground if both electrical and telephone utility wiring
are located underground.If either electric or telephone are
aerial,Licensee may install aerial Cable except where a
property owner requests underground installation at the sole
cost of the Licensee.
7.A Licensee must obtain any required permits before doing any
excavation or causing disturbance to public thoroughfares or
private property as a result of its construction or operations
and must restore to their former condition such private
property and public thoroughfares,the latter in a manner
consistent with all applicable rules,regulations and
resolutions relative to construction,repair or maintenance in
Public Rights -of -Way.If such restoration is not
satisfactorily performed within a reasonable time in the
opinion of the City Manager,the City Manager may,after prior
notice to Licensee,cause the repairs to be made at the
expense of the Licensee.The City Manager may inspect ongoing
AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 14,CABLE SYSTEMS
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construction and require a Licensee to halt construction where
the City Manager finds the construction to be in non-
compliance with the requirements of this chapter,the License
Agreement or a permit.
8.Prior to commencement of underground construction a Licensee
must have complied with the following requirements:
a.Have received a permit from the Council for construction
on public property or Public Rights -of -Way;
b.Have complied with Blue Stake requirements in the area
of construction;
9.The Licensee shall have the authority to trim trees,in
accordance with all applicable utility restrictions,ordinance
and easement restrictions,upon and overhanging Streets and
Public Rights -of -Way of the License area so as to prevent the
branches of such trees from coming in contact with the wires
and cables of the Licensee and shall be responsible for debris
removal from such activities.At the option of the City,such
trimming may be done by it or under its direct supervision and
direction.Licensee shall be responsible for obtaining
permission from individual property owners if tree trimming
outside of the designated public easement is necessary to
install a Cable or other line.
10.At the request of any person holding a valid building moving
permit and upon sufficient notice,the Licensee must
temporarily raise,lower or cut its wires as necessary to
facilitate such move upon not less than seventy-two (72)hours
advance notice.The direct expense of such temporary move
must be paid by the permit holder,and the Licensee may
require payment in advance.
G.System Services and Capability:
1.The following minimum requirements for facilities and services
apply to licenses.The Council may require that a Licensee
exceed these minimum requirements.
AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 14,CABLE SYSTEMS
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a.Except as provided in a negotiated License Agreement,a
cable system must have a minimum analog capacity of
eighty-two (82)video channels available for immediate
or potential use.Two-way capability shall be designed
into the system.Upon request,this minimum channel
capacity may be modified by the Council for a specific
Licensee,provided said Licensee demonstrates that i t
would be commercially impracticable to comply with said
requirement.A Licensee shall have the burden of
demonstrating,by clear and convincing evidence,that
compliance with the minimum channel capacity would be
commercially impracticable for its Apache Junction cable
system.
b.Standard installation and basic service to public
buildings may be required without charge as set forth in
the License Agreement.Licensee may be required to make
available,one (1)service outlet to a conveniently
accessible point in each school,police station,fire
station and City hall or other facility or building
located within the License area and used for public
purposes as may be designated by the City Manager.The
installation charge to each occupant,if any,would not
exceed Licensee's direct cost (time and material).
There may also be a minimum monthly service charge at
the above locations.
c.A Licensee must design its system to allow the City
Manager to interrupt audio portions of the cable service
in an emergency to deliver information to subscribers.
d.A Licensee must provide standby power for the headend so
as to be able to operate some channels during a power
outage for a minimum of forty-eight (48)hours or as
provided for in the License Agreement.
2.The following requirements apply to Access Channels:
a.Applications for a License shall include proposals for
the provision of educational and governmental access
channel sufficient to meet community needs during the
AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 14,CABLE SYSTEMS
PAGE 29 OF 59
term of the License as determined by the Council.A
Licensee or applicant shall specify what grants,if any,
i t is willing to make for studio equipment and
facilities to be used for local program production by
all Cable access users.Applicants are encouraged to
include proposals for local origination programming by
the Licensee.
b.All access channel operations must conform to the
following minimum requirements:
(1)Access Channels shall be carried on the
Licensee's lowest priced service level offering.
(2)The License may require a Licensee or other
entity to manage the Access Channels and to
establish reasonable rules for the use of Access
Channels consistent with the requirements of this
chapter and the intended purpose of such Access
Channels.
(3)The use of any educational Access Channel shall
be made available free of charge to Schools and
other required educational institutions for the
transmission of local educational programming.
(4)The use of any local government access channels
shall be made available free of charge to the
Council for the transmission of government
related programming.
(5)I f required by the License Agreement,the
Licensee shall submit to the Council on an annual
basis a plan for publicizing access programs and
access use.
c.At the request of the Licensee,the council may
promulgate rules under which channel capacity dedicated
to access use may be used by the Licensee when it is not
being used for access purposes.
AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 14,CABLE SYSTEMS
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d.A License shall include a provision for the Licensee to
provide channel capacity for community programming on
terms and conditions specified in the License agreement.
H.System Architectural Design Review Process:
At least ninety (90)days prior to the date of initial construction
of the rebuild,Licensee shall deliver to City a detailed
architectural design plan,which shall include at least the
following elements:
1.Location of headend and all hub sites;
2.Technical description of equipment at headend,hubs,and
nodes;
3.Technical analysis of coaxial cable design or nodal service
areas including,for example,specifications for amplifiers,
active and passive devices,fiber coupling equipment and power
supplies;and
4.System level trunking maps to illustrate the architecture of
the system.The architectural design shall be shown on maps
of industry standard scale using standard symbology,and shall
depict all electronics and physical features of the cable
plant.
5.The City shall have the opportunity to review such plans and
comment on such plans.Licensee shall integrate the City's
comments into the system within twenty (20) days of receipt of
such request by City.
I.System Physical Design Process:
Licensee shall provide City with detailed design maps defining the
geographical and technical physical design of the system,showing
all areas of the City to be served by each hub,as well as the
construction and energization schedule by hub area for the upgraded
systems.Maps shall be provided at least sixty (60)days prior to
the release for construction.The City may review the design and
accompanying maps and submit comments to Licensee for review within
AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 14,CABLE SYSTEMS
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fifteen (15)days of the date each map is provided to the City for
review.Licensee shall integrate and implement City's comments into
the construction plan.
J.Construction Manual and Cut -Over Plan:
No later than sixty (60)days before the date construction of the
rebuild is to begin.Licensee shall provide for City review and
approval,a rebuild construction manual,rebuild cut -over plan,
installation manual,and plan for notifying area residents of the
rebuild work process.
K.Interconnection:
1.A Licensee shall interconnect its cable system with other
systems located in the city,in nearby cities,or counties
upon the request of the council,where the Apache Junction
Cable System and the adjacent system are both owned by the
same cable operator, where the cable operator's share a common
controlling parent or affiliate,or where the adjacent License
permits interconnection.
L.Local Broadcast Channels:
Each cable system shall carry as part of the basic local channels
broadcast in its service area as required and defined in FCC
regulations as amended.
M.Technology Review:
1.The City and Licensee shall meet to discuss changes in Cable
System laws,regulations,technology,competing services,the
needs of the community and other factors impacting Cable
Systems.As a result of these discussions,this License may
be modified by the City and the Licensee to respond to the
change in laws,regulations,technology,competing services,
the needs of the community or other factors impacting Cable
Systems.
2.I f any of the following conditions occur,and upon written
request of either Licensee or City,the City Manager and
AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 14,CABLE SYSTEMS
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Licensee may agree to meet and discuss in good faith the terms
of a mutually agreeable License Amendment:
a.Cable Service similar to Cable Service offered by
Licensee is provided by any entity using the Streets and
Public Rights -of -Ways,which is not subject to similar
Licensing requirements of the City.
b.The Cable Act is amended to allow Licensee to provide
intrastate or interstate telecommunication and any
regional communications company to provide Cable
Service.
c.Any other significant event occurs,including but not
limited to a final non -appealable order or judgment by
a court of competent jurisdiction, which either Licensee
or City believes may impact the current terms and
conditions of the License.
The purpose of the meeting and discussion is to use best
efforts to reach mutually acceptable agreement for
recommendation to the Council for proposed Council action
within ninety (90)days of such written request,on how to
amend the License to relieve the City or the Licensee from any
commercial impracticability,which arises from the condition
in question.This provision shall not require that the
License be amended,however i t is intended to facilitate a
process whereby the parties may reach a mutually acceptable
agreement.
N.Conditions of Street Occupancy:
1.General Construction Practices.Licensee's construction
practices shall be in accordance with all applicable federal,
state and local laws,rules and regulations,including but not
limited to the federal Occupational Safety &Health
Administration Regulations,as adopted by the State of
Arizona.All installation of electronic equipment shall be of
a permanent nature,durable and installed in accordance with
the provisions of applicable codes.
AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 14,CABLE SYSTEMS
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2.General Operational Practices.The construction,operation
and maintenance of Licensee's plant and equipment,including
but not limited to the headend and distribution system,
towers,house connections,structures,poles,wire,cable,
coaxial cable,fixtures and practices,shall be performed by
appropriately licensed and qualified maintenance and
construction personnel.The system shall be kept in a safe
and suitable conditions and shall be in compliance with,
maintained,repaired and constructed in accordance with the
applicable standards,procedures and practices contained in
the National Electric Code and the National Electrical and
Safety Code,as those codes may,from time to time,be
amended;and shall additionally be maintained so as not to
endanger or interfere with improvements the City may deem
necessary,or to unlawfully interfere in any manner with the
rights of any property owner,or to unnecessarily hinder or
obstruct pedestrian or vehicular traffic on Streets or other
Public Rights -of -Way.
3.Safety.Licensee shall at all times employ the standard of
care attendant to the risks involved and shall install and
maintain in use commonly accepted methods and devices for
preventing failure and accidents which are likely to cause
damage,injury or nuisance to the public,including public
employees.
4.Testing of RE Radiation Cumulative Leakage Index ("CLI").
Licensee shall perform at all times comply and perform all
testing in accordance with FCC rules and regulations.
Licensee shall have the right to discontinue its service to
any premises where RE radiation which Licensee cannot control
is originating from inside the premises.Once a year,
Licensee shall provide notice to the City of its schedule of
RE leakage monitoring and testing.Upon the City's request,
Licensee shall furnish the City with copies of the monitoring
and testing data and results following Licensee's performance
of scheduled RF leakage monitoring and testing.
5.Underground.In all areas of the City where the cables,wires
and other like facilities (electric and telephone)of public
utilities exist underground,or are required by the City to be
AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 14,CABLE SYSTEMS
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placed underground,Licensee shall also place its cables,
wires or other facilities underground.
6.Pole Attachments.Licensee shall use the poles and other
properties of the City pursuant to any pole attachment
agreements or public utility companies operating within the
City,and Licensee shall not construct,erect or maintain any
support poles or other properties in the Public Rights -of -Way
within the City for the operation of its system except upon
the express permission of the City,which consent shall not be
unreasonably withheld upon a showing of need by Licensee.In
all areas of the City where the cables,wires and other
facilities of Licensee are attached to any City -owned utility
poles,Licensee shall maintain those attachments subject to
payment to the City in an amount determined by written
agreement between the City and Licensee.
0.Placement of Facilities:
This License Agreement does not alter the City's governmental power
to establish regulations of general applicability on the erection,
construction or installation of any facilities which may be
constructed,maintained or operated by a person authorized to use
and occupy the Streets and other Public Rights -of -Way,including a
Cable System Operator.Licensee shall comply with those
requirements,including obtaining permits prior to excavation and
providing maps showing where construction or excavation is planned,
and upon completion,providing maps showing actual construction if
any changes are authorized.The City retains the right to designate
where Licensee may place its facilities within the Streets and other
Public Rights -of -Way.
P.Relocation for Public Improvements:
1.Request of the City.
a.Governmental Powers.Whenever because of public
necessity or the welfare of the public generally,the
City shall elect to change the grade of any street,or
to sell or vacate any Street or other Public Right -of-
Way,or to construct or reconstruct any water lines,
AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 14,CABLE SYSTEMS
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sanitary or storm sewers,watercourses,drainage
ditches,conduits,playgrounds,traffic control devices
or other public improvements,Licensee shall,after
thirty (30)days written request from the City,remove
and relocate its poles, wires,cable,conduits and other
fixtures at its own expense.
Q.Transaction Privilege Taxes:
Licensee shall obtain a City Business License,which will be the
mechanism for assessing all transaction privilege taxes.Licensee
shall pay all required taxes in a timely manner,and shall allow
access to its sales and construction records upon reasonable request
of the City at the centrally located business office during regular
business hours.If audited,Licensee shall comply with all requests
of the City,and shall pay all applicable arrearages and or fees.
Failure to pay the assessed tax or failure to make a timely appeal
of such assessment pursuant to the City Tax Code is considered a
violation of the terms and conditions of the License Agreement,
which may result in Liquidated Damages set forth herein.
Section 14-1-9 Fees.Bonds.Letters of Credit.Liquidated Damages
and Appeals
A.Application Fee:
Each application for a License to be granted under the authority of
this chapter shall be accompanied by a non-refundable filing fee in
the amount specified below,by certified or cashier's check made
payable to the City of Apache Junction.Non-refundable filing fees
in the following amounts are required:
1.For an initial License or renewal:$2,500.
2.For consent to transfer or change ownership:$2,000.
3.For License modifications:
a.pursuant to 47 U.S.C.§545:$2,500.
AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 14,CABLE SYSTEMS
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B.License Fee:
1.In consideration of the fact the Streets of the City will be
used by a Licensee in the operation of its Cable System within
the boundaries of the City and said Streets are valuable
properties acquired and maintained by the City at great
expense to its taxpayers,and in consideration of the costs
incurred by the City in regulating and administering each
Cable License,the Licensee shall pay annually to the City
five percent (5%)of the Licensee's Gross Revenue,from all
sources attributable to the operations of the Licensee within
the Licensed area.
2.This payment shall be computed quarterly,for the preceding
quarter,as of March 31,June 30,September 30 and December 31
of each year.Each quarterly payment shall be due and payable
no later than thirty (30)days after the relevant computation
date.Each payment shall be accompanied by a financial report
showing in detail the Gross Revenues of the Licensee related
to that quarter.
3.Except as provided in paragraph 8 of this subsection and
subject to 47 U.S.C.S542,the payment required pursuant to
this article shall be in addition to any other tax or payment
owed to the City pursuant to any other applicable ordinance or
chapter of the City Code,regulation or law of the county,
state or federal government.
4.A License fee not received in full by the City within thirty
(30)days of its due date shall be deemed delinquent and
subject to a late fee of two percent (2%)of the amount
overdue plus interest at the prime rate as reported in The
Wall Street Journal.
5.Where the Licensee fee is based on Gross Revenues,the
Licensee shall file, with each License payment,a statement of
the Gross Revenues for the period on which the fees are based.
Such a Licensee must file within three (3)months of the end
of its fiscal year a statement of Gross Revenues for the
preceding year,which is either audited or certified as
accurate by an officer of the Licensee.Any payment of
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License fees to adjust for a shortfall in the quarterly
payments for the preceding year must be made not later than
the filing date for the audited annual statement of Gross
Revenues.Adjustments for any overpayment will be credited to
subsequent quarterly payments.Interest and late charges (as
specified above) will not be imposed for any payment necessary
as a result of the yearly adjustment if the payment to correct
the shortfall does not exceed ten percent (10%)of the total
payments made during the preceding year.In the event such
payment exceeds ten percent (10%),the Licensee is liable for
interest and late charges for the entire amount due.
6.The City Manager shall have the right,upon reasonable notice,
to inspect or audit during normal business hours a Licensee's
records showing the Gross Revenues and other relevant
underlying data and information.Upon examination of such
information,the City Manager has the right to recompute any
and all amounts paid under a License.Any additional amounts
due the City as a result of an audit shall be paid by the
Licensee within thirty (30)days following written notice to
the Licensee by the Council,which shall include a copy of the
inspection or audit report.In the event that an inspection
or audit results in additional monies owed the City in excess
of five percent (5%)of the total paid,the Licensee shall
bear the total cost of the audit,and late charges and
interest on the additional amount due.
7.No acceptance by the Council of any payment shall be construed
as an accord that the amount paid is in fact the correct
amount nor shall such acceptance of payment be construed as a
release of any claim the Council may have.
8.There shall be allowed as an offset against the License fee
due under this article any amounts Licensee paid to the City
during the prior quarter in privilege License (sales)taxes;
provided,however,that there shall be no offset to the extent
that Licensee made payments of privilege License (sales) taxes
of any gross income (within the meaning of the privilege
License [sales]tax ordinance)which is not included in Gross
Revenues under this chapter.The License shall provide for
suitable procedures and methods for audit of this offset.
AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 14,CABLE SYSTEMS
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C.Performance Bond and Irrevocable Letter of Credit Generally:
Licensee shall obtain and maintain during the entire term of the
License,and any renewal or extensions thereof,a performance bond
in the amount of One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000)to ensure
the Licensee's faithful performance of its obligations under the
Cable Law and this Agreement,as well as an irrevocable letter of
credit in the amount of Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($25,000),both
being provided to the City Attorney within thirty (30)days after
execution of the License Agreement and prior to any construction
work in the public rights -of -way.
D.Components of Performance Bond:
The performance bond shall provide the following:
1.There shall be recoverable by the City jointly and severally
from the principal and surety,any and all fines and penalties
due to the City,and any and all damages,losses,costs,and
expenses suffered or incurred by the City resulting from
failure of the Licensee after notice and opportunity to cure
to faithfully comply with:(i) the material provisions of this
Agreement,the Cable Law,and other applicable Law;(ii)all
orders,permits,and directives of the City;(iii)payment of
fees due to the City;and (iv)payment of any claims or liens
due to the City.Such losses,costs and expenses shall
include but not be limited to attorney fees and other
associated expenses.
2.The total amount of the performance bond shall be forfeited in
favor of the City in the event the Licensee abandons the
system at any time during the term of the License or extension
period.
3.The performance bond shall be issued by a surety licensed to
do business in the State of Arizona and with an A+9 or better
rating for financial conditions and financial performance in
Best's Key Rating Guide,Property/Casualty Edition,and shall
be in a form approved by the City with the following
endorsement:
AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 14,CABLE SYSTEMS
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"This bond may not be canceled or allowed to lapse,
until sixty (60)days after receipt by the City by
certified mail,return receipt requested,of a written
notice from the issuer of the bond of intent to cancel
or not renew."
4.At such time as ninety-five percent (95%)of planned
construction in the City is complete,as specified in License
Agreement,the Council may,at Licensee's request,reduce or
eliminate the performance bond requirement.
5.The rights reserved by the Council with respect to the bonds
required are in addition to all other rights and remedies the
Council may have under this chapter,the License Agreement or
any other law.
E.Irrevocable Letter of Credit:
Licensee shall provide an Irrevocable Letter of Credit in the amount
of Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($25,000)from a financial
institution licensed to do business in the State of Arizona to
secure its performance of all its obligations under this Agreement
and the Cable Law.
1.The form and content of such letter shall be approved by the
City Attorney and contain the following endorsements:
"This letter of credit may not be canceled or allowed to lapse
until thirty (30)days after receipt by the City Manager,by
certified mail,return receipt requested,of a written notice
from the issuer of the letter of credit of its intent to
cancel or not to renew."
In the event the letter of credit is insufficient to pay the
City for any compensation,damages,penalties,costs or
expenses owed i t pursuant to this chapter or the License
agreement,the Licensee's performance bond may be drawn upon
by the City Manager for any amount due the City over and above
the amount of the letter of credit.
AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 14,CABLE SYSTEMS
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2.The rights reserved to the City Manager with respect to the
letter of credit are in addition to all other rights it may
have under this chapter,the License Agreement and any other
law.
3.Failure to maintain the letter of credit as required shall
constitute a violation of the provisions of this chapter.
4.Withdrawal Procedures.The City may immediately withdraw an
appropriate amount from such funds including interest and
penalties as applied against the letter of credit amount if:
a.after ten (10) days notice the Licensee fails to pay the
City any fees or taxes due and unpaid,liquidated
damages,damages,or costs or expenses that the City is
compelled to pay by reason of any act of default of the
Licensee in connection with the License;
b.after thirty (30)days notice to Licensee,the Licensee
fails to comply with any provision of the License that
the City reasonably determines to be remedied by an
expenditure of the letter of credit amount.
5.Within fifteen (15)days after the City gives notice that an
amount has been withdrawn from the letter of credit amount,
the Licensee must deposit a sum of money equal to the amount
withdrawn.If Licensee fails to deposit such amount,the
entire letter of credit amount remaining shall be forfeited.
In addition,such failure may be grounds to revoke the License
or take any other enforcement action.
F.Liquidated Damages:
Because Licensee's failure to comply with the provisions of the
License and this Agreement will result in injury to the City,and
because it will be difficult to estimate the extent of such injury,
the Licensee agrees to pay to the City liquidated damages for the
following violations of the License which represent both parties'
best estimate of the damages resulting from the specified violation.
To maintain that estimate,the parties agree that liquidated damage
AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 14,CABLE SYSTEMS
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amounts are in 1999 dollars and shall be increased each year by the
CPI.
1.Failure to substantially complete the system rebuild,
including the timeline of completion:$2,000 per day for each
day the violation continues.
2.Failure to provide Government and Economic Development
Channels and failure to make PEG capacity available:failure
to construct required links to PEG facilities:failure to make
payments to support PEG:$1,000 per day for each day the
violation continues,in addition to any monetary payment under
this Agreement or the Cable Law.
3.Failure to submit required plans indicating expected dates of
installation of various parts of the system,and failure to
supply information,reports,or filings lawfully required
under the License Agreement or applicable law or by the City:
$400 per day for each day the violation continues.
4.Failure,unless such failure is beyond the Licensee's control,
of the EAS to perform in the event of a public emergency or
vital information situation:$250 per occurrence.
5.Failure to test,analyze and report on the performance of the
system following a request from the City Manager to do so,and
failure to pay for consultant fees pursuant to this License
Agreement:$200 per day for each day the violation continues.
6.For a violation of customer service standards:$200 per
violation.
7.Failure to render required payment for reimbursement of any
License expenses,or liquidated damages or failure to pay any
required taxes to City:$100 per day,in addition to any
monetary payment due under this agreement of the Cable Law.
8.Failure to file,obtain or maintain any required Performance
Bond or Letter of Credit Amount:$50 per day.
AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 14,CABLE SYSTEMS
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9.Failure to restore damaged property:$50 per day,in addition
to the cost of the restoration as required elsewhere herein.
10.For violation of technical standards established by the FCC:
$50 per day.
11.For failure to comply with reasonable order of the City
Manager:$50 per day.
12.For failure to remedy any other violation of this Chapter or
violation of the License Agreement:$50 per day.
G.Remedies:
1.I f the Licensee violates any provision of law or of this
License agreement,the City may have one or more of the
following actions:
a.impose liquidated damages provided herein:
b.reduce the duration of the License period on any basis
the City determines is reasonable and affords Licensee
reasonable due process:
c.require Licensee to pay its subscribers or classes of
subscribers in an amount and on a basis the City
determines is necessary to cure the breach or default,
or equitably compensates for the violation:or
d.seek legal or equitable relief from a court of competent
jurisdiction.
H.Procedure for Correcting License Violations:
1.Notice of Violation.Should the City determine that Licensee
has violated one or more terms,conditions or provisions of
this License Agreement,a written notice shall be given to
Licensee informing it of an alleged violation (a "Violation
Notice").The City Manager shall set forth in such Violation
Notice at a minimum,the following:(a)amount to be assessed,
(b)factual basis for such assessment,and (c)specific
AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 14,CABLE SYSTEMS
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License provision alleged to have been violated.Licensee
shall have fourteen (14)days from the date the Violation
Notice is given to inform the City Manager in writing of the
action Licensee will take to correct the violation (a
"Correction Notice")and to begin corrective action,or to
dispute that a violation has occurred (a "Notice of Dispute").
I f corrective action is undertaken,i t shall be completed
within thirty (30)days of the date the Violation Notice is
given,unless Licensee's Correction Notice shows that the
corrective action cannot be completed within thirty (30)days
with the exercise of all due speed or diligence,in which case
Licensee shall have a reasonable extension of time in which to
complete the corrective action.Any Notice of Dispute shall
specify the matter disputed by Licensee and shall stay the
running of any performance or corrective deadlines pertaining
to the matter in dispute,and shall stay any other action the
City may be permitted to take under this License agreement or
applicable law.
2.Appeals.
a.In the event that Licensee contests the City Manager's
assessment of liquidated damages,or fails to respond to
the above -mentioned notices,within fourteen (14)days
the City Manager shall convene an administrative
hearing.Licensee may pay the fine,proceed with this
hearing,or waive its rights to this administrative
hearing and proceed directly to the public hearing
before the Council.
(1)There shall be an administrative hearing
conducted by the City Manager,and Licensee shall
be afforded procedural due process,including an
opportunity to be heard and to present evidence.
Within fourteen (14)days after the conclusion of
such administrative hearing,the City Manager
shall issue a determination.In that
determination the City Manager may:
a)find that Licensee is not in violation of
this chapter or the License Agreement;
AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 14,CABLE SYSTEMS
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b)find that the Licensee is in violation of
this chapter or the License Agreement,but
that violation was with just cause and
waive any penalty that might otherwise be
imposed;
c)find that Licensee is in violation of this
chapter or of the License Agreement,assess
liquidated damages,take corrective action
and foreclose on all or any appropriate
part of the letter of credit or performance
bond provided for in this chapter;
d)find that Licensee is in material violation
of this chapter and the License Agreement
and recommend the Council declare the
Licensee in violation and recommend
termination of the License Agreement to the
Council,provided the Council may consider
such action only after a public hearing as
set forth below.
(2)I f a public hearing before the Council is
requested by Licensee or is held otherwise,i t
shall be de novo and i t shall convene within
thirty (30)days of the request thereof.
Licensee shall be afforded full due procedural
process,including without limitation,an
opportunity to be heard,to present evidence and
to cross-examine witnesses.The Council's
decision,which shall include findings of fact
and conclusions shall be made not later than
thirty (30)days after the conclusion of the
hearing.In that decision,the Council may:
a)find that Licensee is not in violation of
this chapter or the License Agreement;
b)find that Licensee is in violation of this
chapter or the License Agreement,but that
AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 14,CABLE SYSTEMS
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violation was with just cause and waive any
penalty that might otherwise be imposed;
C)find that Licensee is in violation of this
chapter or of the License Agreement,assess
liquidated damages,take corrective action
and foreclose on all or any appropriate
part of the letter of credit and/or
performance bond provided for elsewhere in
this chapter;
d).find that Licensee is in material violation
of this chapter and the License Agreement
and declare the Licensee in violation and
revoke the License Agreement.
3.Licensee's Options.If after the hearing the disputed claim
is upheld by the Council,Licensee shall have thirty (30) days
from the date of the mailing of the decision to remedy the
violation or failure,unless corrective action cannot be
completed within thirty (30) days with the exercise of all due
speed and diligence,in which case Licensee shall have a
reasonable extension of time in which to complete corrective
action.Alternatively,Licensee retains its right to seek
review of the disputed matter under applicable law.The
submission of a matter to mediation or to a court of competent
jurisdiction shall stay the running of the above -described
correction period.
Section 14-1-10 Termination and Revocation.
A.Termination:
The License shall terminate,upon the expiration of the term
thereof,unless renewal is successfully applied per applicable laws.
B.Revocation:
1.If a Licensee is in material violation of this chapter or in
default of the terms of its License Agreement,the City
Manager may make written demand that the Licensee come into
AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 14,CABLE SYSTEMS
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compliance with said requirements within a reasonable period
of time,as specified in this Chapter.If,after the cure
period provided for in this Chapter has run,the Licensee is
unwilling or unable to do so,the City Manager may recommend
the revocation,alteration or suspension of the License to the
Council,specifying the reasons for such action.
2.A copy of any such recommendations shall be served by
certified or registered mail,return receipt requested upon
the Licensee,and the Licensee shall be given at least
fourteen (14)days notice prior to the date of a public
hearing before the Council to consider such action,and the
Licensee will be given an opportunity to present evidence and
make argument at such meeting.
3.The Council shall consider the recommendations,the response
of the Licensee,and hear from any other interested persons,
and shall determine whether or not the Licensee is in
violation or default of its obligations and,if so,whether
such failure was with just cause.
4.If the Council finds that the failure by the Licensee was with
just cause,the Council shall direct the Licensee to comply
with such time and manner and upon such terms and conditions
as are reasonable.
5.If the Council determines that the Licensee's failure was
without just cause,the Council may declare the License
revoked,altered or suspended.The Council may provide a
specified period of time for the Licensee to come into
compliance before the revocation takes effect.
6.A License may be revoked,altered or suspended by the Council
on the following grounds,among others,and taking into
account any aggravating or mitigating circumstances:
a.Fails to comply with any material provision of this
chapter or the License Agreement.
b.Makes willful and material false or misleading
statements in any application.
AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 14,CABLE SYSTEMS
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c.Engages in the practice of any fraud or deceit upon the
City or Subscribers.
d.Fails to abide by the privacy provision of this chapter.
e.Fails to make timely payment of any monies due the City
pursuant to this chapter.
f.Unless otherwise provided in the License Agreement,
fails to commence construction in the License area
within three (3)months and to commence basic service
within six (6)months from the effective date of the
License Agreement.
g.Fails to file and maintain the bonds,insurance,
records,failure to pay License fees or assessed
property taxes.
h.For repeated material failure to maintain service
quality under the standards prescribed for which the
Licensee receives notice and fails to cure.
i .Fails to restore service after twenty-four (24)
consecutive hours after notice to the Licensee of
interrupted service to the entire System,except when
such interruption is beyond the control of the Licensee.
C.System Disposal:
In the event of termination or revocation of a License,the Licensee
involved shall offer to sell the cable system,at the fair market
value,to a new Licensee or applicant for a License.The fair
market value shall be determined in accordance with generally
accepted appraisal procedures.The original cost of all tangible
and intangible property,as well as salvage value,book value,
replacement cost,cash flow and other factors will be considered.
Under no circumstances shall any valuation be made for any right or
privilege granted by License.Should the Licensee fail to negotiate
a sale,as described above,the City may purchase the system at the
fair market value for the purpose of leasing to qualified operator
AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 14,CABLE SYSTEMS
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until a buyer can be found,pursuant to the provisions of A.R.S.§9-509.
D.Continuity of Service:
Licensee shall provide continuous service for the entire term of the
License Agreement to all Subscribers and users in return for payment
of the established rates,fees and charges.If Licensee seeks to
sell or transfer,or i f the City revokes or fails to renew the
License,Licensee shall continue to operate the System as trustee
for its successor in interest until an orderly and lawful change of
operation is effected.This period of operation shall not exceed
one hundred twenty (120)days from the occurrence of any of the
above events.Revenues accrued during that period of time shall be
received by the operator.During such time,the Cable System shall
be operated under terms and conditions consistent with the most
recent License Agreement and this chapter.
E.Revocation for Cause;
In addition to all other rights,powers and remedies available to
the City,the City shall have the additional,separate and distinct
right to revoke this License agreement and all rights,authority,
power,privileges and permissions granted Licensee by this License
Agreement i f Licensee substantially fails to cure or correct a
material violation of this License Agreement within the applicable
time periods following compliance within this Agreement,absent
Licensee's pursuit of further remedies as provided for in this
Agreement or following a final decision of a court of competent
jurisdiction reviewing the disputed matter.
F.Revocation by Ordinance:
Revocation of the License shall be accomplished by passage of an
ordinance at a properly noticed hearing.An ordinance revoking the
License shall include the reason for the City Council to justify
revocation.The effective date of the revocation shall be stated in
the ordinance.The License Agreement shall terminate on the
effective date of the revocation.An ordinance revoking the License
shall not be passed without thirty (30)days written notice to
Licensee that an ordinance to revoke the Licensee will be considered
by the City Council.Licensee shall retain the privilege to be
AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 14,CABLE SYSTEMS
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heard by the City Council or any City Council committee regarding
the proposed revocation ordinance.Licensee may request a review of
the revocation findings and conclusions pursuant to applicable law,
and shall retain any other remedy which may be available to it under
law.
G.Continuance of Service after Revocation:
The City may require Licensee to continue operating its system after
revocation until operation of the system can be transferred to a new
owner or the City exercises its rights herein.
H.Removal after Revocation:
1.Procedure.Upon revocation of the License and after a review
of the revocation findings and/or conclusions by a court of
competent jurisdiction,if review is sought by Licensee,the
City may require Licensee to remove,at Licensee's expense,
any above -ground portion of its system from any Street or
other Public Right -of -Way.In removing its underground
system,Licensee shall refill and compact,at its own expense,
any excavation that shall be made,and shall leave all Streets
and other Public Rights -of -Way,and private property,in
reasonable condition,and without affecting,altering or
disturbing in any way electric,telephone,gas,steam or water
utilities or other cable system operator cables,wires or
attachments. The insurance,indemnity and damage provisions of
this License Agreement shall remain in full force and effect
during the entire term of removal.
I .Failure to Remove System:
I f Licensee fails to commence removal of its system,or the part
that was designated,in accordance with this section,within sixty
(60)days after written notice of the City's demand for removal is
given,or if Licensee fails to complete removal without one (1) year
after removal has begun,the City shall have the right to exercise
one of the following options:
1.Assumption of Ownership.Declare all right,title and
interest to the system to be in the City or its designee with
AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 14,CABLE SYSTEMS
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all right of ownership including,but not limited to,the
right to operate the system or transfer the system to another
for operation.Upon that declaration by the City,Licensee
shall be entitled to receive an equitable price from the City
for the value of the system.
2.Abandonment of the System.Declare the system abandoned and
cause the system,or that portion designated by the City,to
be removed.The cost of the removal shall be recoverable
pursuant to the insurance and indemnity provisions of this
License Agreement,or from Licensee directly.
J.Additional Duty to Remove Property:
The City may require Licensee to remove any above -ground portion of
the system if Licensee ceases to use that part of the system in the
City for a continuous period of twelve (12)months.
Section 14-1-11 Renewal
The procedures for Renewal of any cable license shall be governed by
federal and state law,as of the time the License is in effect.However,
should there be no active Renewal provisions,Council may amend this
Chapter with Renewal procedures which shall govern all Licenses in effect
or thereafter granted by City.
Section 14-1-12 Transfers and Change of Control
A.General Restrictions:
No sale,transfer,assignment or lease of the License,or sale,
transfer,assignment,lease or fundamental corporate change of or in
Licensee,including,but not limited to,a fundamental corporate
change in licensee's parent corporation or any entity having a
controlling interest in Licensee,the sale of a controlling interest
in the Licensee's assets,a merger,including the merger of a
subsidiary and parent entity,consolidation,or the creation of a
subsidiary or affiliate entity,shall take place until a written
request has been filed with City requesting approval of the sale,
transfer or corporate change and such approval has been granted or
deemed grant;provided,however,that said approval shall not be
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required where Licensee grants a security interest in its License
and/or assets to secure an indebtedness.
B.Controlling Interest Restrictions:
Any sale,transfer,exchange or assignment of stock in Licensee,or
Licensee's parent corporation or any other entity having a
controlling interest in Licensee,so as to create a new controlling
interest therein,shall be subject to the requirements of this
Section.The term "controlling interest"as used herein is not
limited to majority stock ownership,but includes actual working
control in whatever manner exercised.In any event,as used herein,
a new "controlling interest"shall be deemed to be created upon the
acquisition through any transaction or group of transactions of a
legal or beneficial interest of fifteen percent (15%) or more by one
Person.Acquisition by one Person of an interest of five percent
(5%) or more in a single transaction shall require written notice to
City.
C.Filing Requirements:
The Licensee shall file,in addition to all documents,forms and
information required to be filed by applicable law,the following:
1.All contracts,agreements or other documents that constitute
the proposed transaction and all exhibits,attachments or
other documents referred to therein which are necessary in
order to understand the terms thereof.
2.A list detailing all documents filed with any state or federal
agency related to the transaction including,but not limited
to,the PUC,the FCC,the FTC,the FEC,the SEC or any
applicable state agency.Upon request,Licensee shall provide
City with a complete copy of any such document;and
3.Any other documents or information related to the transaction
as may be specifically requested by the City.
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D.Time Limit:
City shall have such time as is permitted by federal law in which to
review a transfer request.
E.Costs and Filing Fees:
The Licensee shall reimburse City for all legal,administrative and
consulting costs and fees associated with City's review of any
request to transfer.Nothing herein shall prevent Licensee from
negotiating partial or complete payment of such costs and fees by
the transferee.License may not itemize any such reimbursement on
subscriber bills,but may recover such expenses in its subscriber
rates.Licensee shall also pay a Two Thousand Dollar ($2,000)fee
for a sales,transfer,assignment or lease request pursuant to this
Section.
F.Guarantees:
In no event shall a sale,transfer,corporate change or assignment
of ownership or control pursuant to this Section be approved without
the transferee becoming a signatory to this License and assuming all
rights and obligations thereunder,and assuming all other rights and
obligations of the current Licensee to the City including,but not
limited to,any adequate guarantees or other security instruments
provided by the License.
G.City's Right to Purchase:
In the event of any proposed sale,transfer,corporate change or
assignment pursuant to this chapter.City shall have the right to
purchase the System for the value of the consideration proposed in
such transaction.City's right to purchase shall arise upon City's
receipt of notice of the material terms of an offer or proposal for
sale,transfer,corporate change,or assignment,which Licensee has
accepted.Notice of such offer or proposal must be conveyed to City
in writing and separate from any general announcement of the
transaction.
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H.Waiver of Rights by City:
City shall be deemed to have waived its right to purchase the System
pursuant to this Section only in the following circumstances:
1.If City does not indicate to Licensee in writing,within sixty
(60)days of receipt of written notice of a proposed sale,
transfer,corporate change or assignment as contemplated
above,its intent to exercise its right of purchase;or
2.It approves the assignment or sale of the License as provided
within this Section.
I.City Right of Refusal:
No License may be transferred i f City determines Licensee is in
noncompliance of the License unless an acceptable compliance program
has been approved by City.The approval of any transfer or
ownership pursuant to this Section shall not be deemed to waive any
rights of City to subsequently enforce noncompliance issues relating
to this License even if such issues predated the approval,whether
known or unknown to City.
Section 14-1-13 Indemnity and Insurance
A.Indemnification of City Officials:
Licensee shall indemnify,defend and hold harmless the City,the
members of the City Council,including the Mayor,and all other
officials,employees and agents,boards or commissions,when acting
in their capacity as municipal officials,employees or agents,
boards or commissions,from and against any and all claims,suits
and actions,liability and judgment for damages or otherwise:
1.Damage to Person or Property.For actual or alleged injury or
death to individuals,or damage to property,in any way
arising out of or through,or alleged to arise out of or
through,any act or omission of Licensee or its officers,
agents,employees or contractors,or to which Licensee or its
officers,agents,employees or contractors acts or omissions
in any way contribute;
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2.Violation of Rights or Interests.Arising out of or alleged
to arise out of any claim for damages,with respect to
Licensee's operation of a cable system,for invasion of the
right of privacy,defamation of any person,or the violation
or infringement of any copyright,trademark,trade name,
service mark or patent,or any other right of any person;or
3.Statutory Violations.Arising out of or alleged to arise out
of Licensee's failure to comply with the provisions of any
statute,regulation or ordinance of the United States,the
State of Arizona,or the City.
B.Defense of Actions:
Nothing in this License Agreement shall prevent a party indemnified
and held harmless by another from participating in the defense of
any litigation by its own counsel at its sole expense.That
participation shall not under any circumstances relieve the
indemnifying party from its duty defending against liability or
paying any judgment entered against that party.
C.City's Negligence or Willful Misconduct:
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this section,
the City shall not be indemnified or reimbursed in relation to any
matter,in any action,suit or proceeding:(a)arising out of the
operation,use or distribution of programming or services over the
Government,Economic Development and PEG Channels facilities or
access funding;or (b)in which the City,its officials,employees
or agents,is negligent in the performance of its obligations under
this License Agreement,or has engaged in willful misconduct or
criminal acts;provided,however,that Licensee shall provide a
defense even though,in good faith,it believes at the commencement
of any action,that the City may have engaged in that conduct.If
the City,its officials,employees or agents,is found to have
engaged in that conduct,Licensee shall be reimbursed by the City
for all amounts paid and expenses incurred by Licensee in connection
with that action,suit or proceeding,including reasonable attorney
fees.
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D.Indemnity for Construction,Maintenance and Operation:
The Licensee shall at its sole cost and expense,indemnify,hold
harmless and defend the City,its officials,boards,commissions,
agents and employees by providing immediate defense with counsel
approved by the Council,against any and all claims,suits,causes
of action,proceedings and judgments for damages arising out of
construction,maintenance or operation of the Cable System.
E.Required Insurance:
The Licensee,upon acceptance of the License Agreement,shall
provide the City with and maintain in full force throughout the term
of the License Agreement,insurance issued by a company duly
authorized to do business in the State of Arizona,insuring with
respect to the installation,construction,operation and maintenance
of the System as follows:
1.Comprehensive general and automobile liability coverage
including,but not limited to,blanket contractual liability,
completed operations liability,broad form property damage
including but not limited to coverage for explosion,collapse,
underground hazard and automobile non -ownership liability.
This insurance shall be written in the following minimum
amounts:
a.Comprehensive general liability:$2,000,000 combined
single limit,bodily injury and property damage.
b.Comprehensive automobile liability:$2,000,000 combined
single limit,bodily injury and property damage.
c.Excess umbrella liability,covering all the above
mentioned hazards,in the minimum amount of $5,000,000.
2.Workers'compensation coverage as required by the laws and
regulations of the State of Arizona.
3.All insurance policies required herein shall include the City
of Apache Junction as a named insured party.
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4.Licensee shall be solely responsible for all premiums due and
payable for insurance required herein.Licensee shall provide
to the City a certificate of insurance evidencing compliance
with the coverage requirements listed above.
5.All insurance policies required herein shall be in a form
approved by the City Attorney and shall include a sixty (60)
day notice of cancellation or modifying endorsement.
F.Self Insurance:
The provisions of this article,in the discretion of the City,may
be satisfied by proof of self insurance.
Section 14-1-14 Administration
A.Inspection of Records:
The Council reserves the right during the term of the License
Agreement and during Normal Business Hours and upon the giving of
reasonable notice to examine,audit and review Licensee's contracts,
engineering plans,accounting,financial data and,subject to
subscriber privacy laws,service records relating to the property
and operations of the Licensee and to all other records required to
be kept pursuant to this chapter.Such records shall be treated as
confidential by City and shall not be released,either orally or in
any written form whatsoever,without the express written permission
of the Licensee,provided however that release shall be permitted in
order for City to comply with the Arizona Public Records Act
pursuant to A.R.S.§39-101 et seq.
B.Licensee Rules and Regulations:
Copies of such rules,regulations,terms and conditions adopted by
the Licensee for the conduct of its business shall be provided to
the City Manager,upon request of the City Manager.
C.City Manager:
The City Manager or his or her designee shall have responsibility
for the day-to-day administration of Cable operations within the
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City as governed by this chapter and the applicable License
Agreements.The City Manager shall be empowered to take all
administrative actions on behalf of the Council except those actions
specified herein which are reserved to the Council or another City
office or officer.
Section 14-1-15 General Provisions
A.Non -Discrimination:
Licensee shall not deny service,access or otherwise discriminate
against Subscribers,users or residents of the City.Licensee shall
comply at all times with all applicable federal,state and City
laws,rules and regulations,executive and administrative orders
relating to non-discrimination and equal employment opportunities
and requirements.
B.Laws and Codes:
Licensee shall comply fully with all applicable local,county,state
and federal laws,codes,ordinances,rules and regulations.
C.Cumulative Rights and Remedies:
Except as specified herein,all rights and remedies of the City
Manger and the Council in this chapter are cumulative and may be
exercised singly or cumulatively at the discretion of the City
Manager of the Council.
Section 14-1-16 Rights Reserved to the Council
Without limitation upon the rights which the Council may otherwise have
the Council does hereby expressly reserve the right to amend any article
or provision of this chapter for any reason determined to be desirable by
the Council including,but not limited to:
A.New developments in the state of technology of Cable Systems.
B.Any changes in federal or state laws,rules or regulations.
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Section 14-1-17 Renewal of License for Triax Midwest Associates.
L.P.
Triax Midwest Associates,L.P.("Triax")is hereby granted a renewal of
its current License Agreement previously granted,subject to new terms and
conditions.The authority granted permits Triax to non -exclusively
install,construct,operate and maintain a Cable System on and in the
Streets and other Public Rights -of -Way within the corporate limits of the
City of Apache Junction.Triax shall execute a License Agreement with the
City in order to validate this granting of authority no later than fifteen
(15)days from the date of adoption of this Chapter,otherwise the
granting of the Renewal will be unenforceable.
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