There is hereby created a Board, to be named the "Advisory Board on
Cable Television," which shall advise the Town Board in relation to certain
aspects of the operation of the cable television system in the Town of Sweden.
Sweden's members on the Board shall be residents of the Town of Sweden
and shall be representative of various interests of the community, including,
so far as possible, members of minority or neighborhood groups, women, education,
business and government. It shall be within the Town Board's discretion to
determine the qualifications for inclusion in the aforementioned categories.
Sweden's members on the Board shall serve without compensation, except
for actual and necessary expenses incurred in the course of their duties and
responsibilities and upon prior approval by the Town Board. Such expenses
may include the rental of space, the purchase of materials and supplies and
lodging, meals, tolls and mileage allowance or cost of public transportation
for necessary travel. If justified, the Town Board may fix reasonable compensation
to its members.
A member may be removed from office at any time by the Town Board.
The Board is hereby directed to advise the Town Board and to:
A. Make recommendations to the Town Board on how the public
channel or channels could be scheduled.
B. Establish criteria and guidelines for public access to
public channels, in conjunction with the cable operator.
C. Review and make recommendations to the Town Board on
state and federal laws concerning CATV.
D. Publish an annual report on its activities, its budget
and expenses; on the cable company's programming; and the Board's audit of
the cable company's revenues and expenditures.
[Amended 10-24-1990 by L.L. No. 2-1990]
E. Recommend local laws, ordinances, rules and regulations
and franchise amendments necessary to carry out the functions of the Advisory
Board.
F. Act as a hearing board on major items concerning CATV
(e.g., complaints regarding line extension, access, etc.).
G. Establish an information library and provide a place
accessible to persons having questions about CATV.
H. Establish individual guidelines for programming on the
public access channels.
I. Review and make recommendations to the Town Board on
franchise amendments and renewals.
The Advisory Board shall be advisory to and subject to the direction
and control of the Town Board; however, the Board may establish its own rules
and regulations guiding the conduct and operation of the Board and its members
within its responsibilities and charge.
The Advisory Board shall record the minutes of each meeting, which minutes
shall be filed in the office of the Town Clerk and shall be delivered to the
Supervisor and members of the Town Board.
[Amended 10-24-1990 by L.L. No. 2-1990]
Funds are to be appropriated from the municipalities for the operation
of the Board, as determined by the Advisory Board with the approval of the
municipality. Each municipality is to contribute the same percentage of the
annual budget as is the percentage of the total revenues received by the municipality
from the cable company.