[Adopted 5-10-2022 by Ord. No. 1248]
[Ord. No. 1248, § I, 5-10-2022]
There is hereby established a municipal board to be known as
the "Cable Advisory Committee."
[Ord. No. 1248, § I, 5-10-2022]
The Cable Advisory Committee shall consist of five members, one of whom shall be a member of the Pittsfield City Council. In accordance with Article 2, Section 2-10, Article 3, Section 3-3 and Chapter 6 of Chapter 72 of the Acts of 2013,[1] the Mayor shall appoint all of the members to the Cable
Advisory Committee, subject to City Council approval. In making appointments
to the Commission, the Mayor shall seek to find members with an expertise
which can contribute to the purposes for which this Commission has
been established.
[1]
Editor's Note: See the City Charter included in this
volume.
[Ord. No. 1248, § I, 5-10-2022]
Excepting the City Councilor who shall serve so long as they
hold office, the terms of office of the members originally appointed
to the Cable Advisory Committee shall be as follows: Two of the members
so appointed shall be appointed for terms of three years; and two
members for terms of two years. As the terms of the members of the
original Committee expire, their successors shall be appointed for
terms of three years each. In the event of a vacancy, the Mayor shall
appoint a successor as soon as practicable, subject to City Council
approval, and said successor shall fulfill the unexpired term of the
member whose seat was vacated.
[Ord. No. 1248, § I, 5-10-2022]
The members of the Cable Television Committee shall, in accordance with Article 10, Section 10-6(a), of the City Charter enacted by Chapter 72 of the Acts of 2013, serve without compensation, and the Committee shall choose its Chairman and its Secretary from among its members by a majority vote of its members. The Cable Television Committee shall keep an accurate record of all meetings held and the business transacted by the Committee.
[Ord. No. 1248, § I, 5-10-2022]
The Committee is charged with:
(a)
Making recommendations to the Mayor concerning the cable television
service provider's license or license renewal.
(b)
Providing insight into the provider's past performance and the
future needs/interests of the community.
(c)
Providing advice and assistance in the negotiations for and compliance
with the cable television license agreement for cable television service
under the framework set forth by federal and state law.
(d)
Reviewing the cable operator's performance under the current
license and determining the needs and interests of the community.
The Committee shall complete this ascertainment process at least 12
months prior to the current license expiration date. The Committee
will utilize the results of the ascertainment process in its review
of any cable operator's proposal for a license agreement.
(e)
Upon receipt of proposals, the Committee shall act as the negotiating
authority to consider: 1) the operator's compliance with the
terms of the existing franchise and with applicable law; 2) the quality
of the cable operator's service, including signal quality, response
to consumer complaints, and billing practices; and 3) whether the
cable operator has the legal, financial and technical ability to provide
the services, facilities and equipment necessary to meet the future
cable-related community needs and interests, taking into account the
costs of those needs.
(f)
After the license is awarded, the Cable Advisory Committee monitors
the agreement for compliance and assists the Mayor with consumer-related
issues. It shall:
(1)
Inform and educate the public about cable television service;
(2)
Assess the cable needs of the community and recommend policy
changes;
(3)
Conduct regular meetings with cable company representatives
to discuss matters of mutual interest;
(4)
Report to the Mayor on company compliance with the license;
(5)
Supervise the cable operator's response to complaints;
(6)
Respond to residents' questions regarding the cable television
system;
(7)
Keep abreast of community programming issues; and
(8)
Draft, for consideration by the City Council, ordinances, rules,
regulations, policies and programs necessary for the implementation
of the Committee's recommendations.
[Ord. No. 1248, § I, 5-10-2022]
The Cable Advisory Committee shall meet as often as its business may warrant or require. Regular or special meetings may be called by the Chairman or any three members of the Committee. In accordance with Article 10, Section 10-6(b), of the City Charter enacted by Chapter 72 of the Acts of 2013, the Committee shall make rules governing its meetings.
