[HISTORY: Adopted by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Ho-Ho-Kus 8-24-2010 by Ord. No. 969. Amendments noted where applicable.]
For the purpose of this chapter, the terms defined above[1] shall have the meanings there indicated, and the following additional terms shall have the following meanings:
ACT or CABLE TELEVISION ACT
That statute of the State of New Jersey relating to cable television, known as the "Cable Television Act," N.J.S.A. 48:5A-1 et seq.
APPLICATION
Cablevision's application for renewal of municipal consent, which application is on file in the Borough Clerk's office and is incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof, except as modified, changed, limited or altered by this chapter.
BOARD
The Board of Public Utilities of the State of New Jersey or its successor agency.
BOROUGH
The governing body of the Borough of Ho-Ho-Kus, in the County of Bergen and the State of New Jersey.
COMPANY
Cablevision of Oakland, LLC ("Cablevision"), the grantee of rights under this chapter.
FCC
The Federal Communications Commission.
FEDERAL ACT
That federal statute relating to cable communications commonly known as the "Cable Communications Policy Act of 1984," 47 U.S.C. § 521 et seq., and the "Telecommunications Act of 1996," or as those statutes may be amended.
FEDERAL REGULATIONS
Those federal regulations relating to cable television services, 47 CFR 76.1 et seq. (and, to the extent applicable, any other federal rules and regulations relating to cable television, including but not limited to those described in 47 CFR 76.3), or as such regulations may be amended.
STANDARD INSTALLATION
The installation of drop cable to a customer's premises where the distance from the point of entry into the building being served is less than 150 feet from the active cable television system plant.
STATE
The State of New Jersey.
STATE REGULATIONS
Those regulations of the State of New Jersey Board of Public Utilities relating to cable television, N.J.A.C. 14:17-1.1 et seq. and N.J.A.C. 14:18-1.1 et seq., or as such regulations may be amended.
[1]
Editor's Note: Refers to the introductory provisions in Ord. No. 969. A complete copy of Ord. No. 969 is on file in the Borough offices.
A public hearing concerning the consent herein granted to Cablevision was held after proper public notice pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Act. Said hearing having been held and fully open to the public, and the municipality having received all comments regarding the qualifications of Cablevision to receive this consent, the Borough hereby finds Cablevision possesses the necessary legal, technical, character, financial and other qualifications to support municipal consent, and that Cablevision's operating and construction arrangements are adequate and feasible.
The Borough hereby grants to Cablevision its nonexclusive consent to place in, upon, along, across, above, over, and under its highways, streets, alleys, sidewalks, public ways, and public places in the municipality poles, wires, cables, and fixtures necessary for the maintenance and operation in the Borough of a cable television system or other communications facility and for the provision of any communications service over such facilities. Operation and construction, pursuant to said consent, is conditioned upon prior approval of the Board of Public Utilities.
This consent granted herein shall be nonexclusive and shall be for a term of 10 years from the date of issuance of a certificate of approval as issued by the Board; provided, however, that at the end of the first five years after issuance of the certificate of approval, a review shall be conducted by the Borough to review whether the company has substantially complied with all material obligations under this chapter, in which event the Borough consent granted hereunder shall continue for the remaining period of the ten-year term. In the event that the Borough believes, as a result of said review, that the company has not substantially complied with all material obligations under this chapter, the Borough shall provide the company with written notice of all alleged instances of noncompliance and an opportunity to cure same within six months. If the Borough believes that the company has not, after such notice, brought itself into compliance, then the Borough shall have the right to request that the Board take appropriate action. Nothing herein shall be deemed a waiver by the company of any rights which it may possess as a matter of law.
If Cablevision seeks successive consent, it shall, prior to the expiration of this consent, apply for a municipal consent and certificate of approval in accordance with N.J.S.A. 48:5A-16 and applicable state and federal rules and regulations. In accordance with N.J.S.A. 48:5A-25.1, both the Borough and Cablevision shall be bound by the terms of this municipal consent until such time as Cablevision converts the municipal consent (and any certificate of approval) into a system-wide franchise.
The consent granted under this chapter to Cablevision shall apply to the entirety of the Borough and any property hereafter annexed.
Cablevision shall be required to proffer video programming service along any public right-of-way to any person's residence located in the franchise territory at Cablevision's schedule of rates for standard and nonstandard installation, in accordance with applicable law and regulations.
Cablevision shall pay to the Borough an annual franchise fee calculated in accordance with N.J.S.A. 48:5A-30d. In the event applicable law hereinafter permits a larger franchise fee to be collected, but does not fix the amount thereof, the Borough and Cablevision shall negotiate in good faith with respect to the amount thereof; provided, however, that nothing herein shall be construed to permit the Borough to require payment of a franchise fee by Cablevision that is higher than the fee paid by all other cable television service providers offering service in the municipality.
Cablevision shall, upon written request, provide, free of charge, one standard installation and monthly cable television reception service to all state or locally accredited public schools and all municipal public libraries, as well as municipal buildings located within the Borough.
Cablevision shall perform construction and installation of its plant and facilities in accordance with applicable state and federal law. The company shall be subject to the following additional construction requirements with respect to the installation of its cable plant and facilities in the Borough:
A. 
In the event that the company or its agents shall disturb any pavement, street surfaces, sidewalks, driveways or other surfaces, the company shall, at its sole expense, restore and replace such disturbances in as good a condition as existed prior to the commencement of said work.
B. 
If at any time during the period of this consent, the municipality shall alter or change the grade of any street, alley or other way or place, the company, upon reasonable notice by the Borough, shall remove or relocate its equipment, at its own expense.
C. 
Upon request of a person holding a building or moving permit issued by the Borough, the company shall temporarily move or remove appropriate parts of its facilities so as to permit the moving or erection of buildings or for the performance of other work. The expense of any such temporary removal or relocation shall be paid in advance to the company by the person requesting the same. In such cases, the company shall be given not less than 14 days' prior written notice in order to arrange for the changes required.
D. 
During the exercise of its rights and privileges under this consent, the company shall have the authority to trim trees upon and overhanging streets, alleys, sidewalks and public places of the Borough so as to prevent the branches of such trees from coming in contact with the wires, cables, conduits and fixtures of the company. Such trimming shall be only to the extent necessary to maintain proper clearance for the company's facilities.
Cablevision shall establish and maintain during the entire term of this consent a local area business office or agent for the purpose of receiving, investigating and resolving complaints regarding the quality of service, equipment malfunctions and similar matters. Said office shall be open daily during normal business hours, and in no event less than 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, with the exception of holidays.
The Office of Cable Television is hereby designated as the complaint officer for the Borough pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S.A. 48:5A-26. All complaints shall be reviewed and processed in accordance with N.J.A.C. 14:17-6.5.
Cablevision agrees to maintain and keep in force and effect, at its sole cost, at all times during the term of this consent, sufficient liability insurance naming the Borough as an additional insured and insuring against loss by any such claim, suit, judgment, execution or demand in the minimum amounts of $500,000 for bodily injury or death to one person and $1,000,000 for bodily injury or death resulting from any one accident or occurrence stemming from or arising out of the company's exercise of its rights hereunder.
Cablevision shall obtain and maintain, at its sole cost and expense, during the entire term of this agreement, a bond to the municipality in the amount of $25,000. Such bond shall be to insure the faithful performance of its obligations as provided in this franchise.
The rates of the company for cable television services shall be subject to regulation to the extent permitted by federal and state law.
Cablevision shall be required to have the capability to override the audio portion of the system in order to permit the broadcasting of emergency messages by the Borough pursuant to state and federal requirements. The company shall in no way be held liable for any injury suffered by the Borough or any other person during an emergency if, for any reason, the municipality is unable to make full use of the cable television system as contemplated herein. The Borough shall utilize the state-approved procedures for such emergency uses.
A. 
In the event that the service of another multichannel video program provider not subject to the Borough's regulatory authority within the Borough creates a significant competitive disadvantage to Cablevision, the company shall have the right to request from the Borough lawful amendments to its franchise that relieve it of burdens which create the unfair competitive situation. Should the company seek such amendments to its franchise, the parties agree to negotiate, in good faith, appropriate changes to the franchise in order to relieve the company of such competitive disadvantages. If the parties can reach an agreement on such terms, the Borough agrees to support the company's petition to the Board for modification of the consent in accordance with N.J.S.A. 48:5A-47 and N.J.A.C. 14:17-6.7.
B. 
If the parties are unable to reach an agreement on appropriate amendments to the franchise, the Borough acknowledges that the company shall have the right to petition the Board directly for such amendments in accordance with N.J.S.A. 48:5A-47 and N.J.A.C. 14:17-6.7; provided, however, the Borough shall be under no obligation to support Cablevision's request for such relief from the Board.
C. 
In any subsequent municipal consent, the Borough shall require, at a minimum, the same terms and conditions of any other provider of multichannel video programming subject to the Borough's regulatory authority as those contained in the instant consent. In the event such subsequent consent does not contain the same terms and conditions as the instant consent, the Borough agrees to support the company's petition to the Board for modification of the consent in accordance with N.J.S.A. 48:5A-47 and N.J.A.C. 14:17-6.7 to relieve the company of competitive disadvantages identified in the company's petition.
Upon expiration, termination or revocation of this chapter, Cablevision, at its sole cost and expense and upon direction of the Board, shall remove the cables and appurtenant devices constructed or maintained in connection with the cable services authorized herein, unless Cablevision, its affiliated entities or assignees should, within six months after such expiration, termination or revocation obtain certification from the FCC to operate an open video system or any other federal or state certification to provide telecommunications.
A. 
Cablevision shall continue to make available noncommercial public, educational and governmental (PEG) access services available to the residents of the Borough as described in the application for municipal consent. All Cablevision support for PEG access shall be for the exclusive benefit of Cablevision's subscribers.
B. 
The Borough agrees that Cablevision shall retain the right to use the PEG access channel, or portion thereof, for non-PEG access programming, during times when the Borough is not utilizing the channel for purposes of providing PEG access programming. In the event that the company uses said PEG access channel for the presentation of such other programming, the PEG programming shall remain the priority use, and the company's rights with respect to using the channel for non-PEG programming shall be subordinate to the Borough's provision of PEG access programming on such channel.
C. 
Cablevision shall have discretion to determine the format and method of transmission of the PEG access programming provided for in this § 12-20.
D. 
Upon written request from the Borough, Cablevision will install a fiber access return feed to a municipally designated building, provided it is a standard installation, to allow for the origination of PEG access programming from the Borough.
E. 
In consideration for the rights granted in this chapter, the company shall provide the Borough with a grant in the amount of $5,000. Cablevision shall provide an initial grant payment of $1,400 within the first year of the new franchise agreement. The remaining grant of $3,600 shall be provided in annual installments of $400, upon written request by the Borough (the "annual grant"). Cablevision shall not be obligated to make any additional payments beyond year 10 of the franchise. The annual grant shall be payable to the Borough within 60 days from receipt of the Borough's written request.
F. 
The Borough agrees that all amounts provided pursuant to Subsection E shall be used for the exclusive support of PEG access programming, such as the purchase and/or rental of PEG access equipment and facilities. On request, the Borough shall provide Cablevision with a certification of compliance with this Subsection F.
G. 
The company shall have no further obligation to provide any PEG grant payments due and payable after the date upon which the company converts the municipal consent granted herein to a system-wide franchise in accordance with N.J.S.A. 48:5A-25.1.
All of the commitments contained in the application and any amendment thereto submitted in writing to the Borough by the company, except as modified herein, are binding upon Cablevision as terms and conditions of this consent. The application and any other written amendments thereto submitted by Cablevision in connection with this consent are incorporated in this chapter by reference and made a part hereof, except as specifically modified, changed, limited, or altered by this chapter, or to the extent that they conflict with state or federal law.
This consent shall be construed in a manner consistent with all applicable federal, state and local laws, as such laws, rules and regulations may be amended from time to time.
If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase, or portion of this chapter is for any reason held invalid or unconstitutional by any court of competent jurisdiction, such portion shall be deemed a separate, distinct and independent provision, and such holding shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions thereof.
Notices required under this chapter shall be in writing and shall be mailed, first class, postage prepaid, to the addresses below. Either party may change the place where notice is to be given by providing such change in writing at least 30 days prior to the time such change becomes effective. The time to respond to notices under this chapter shall run from receipt of such written notice.
A. 
Notices to the company shall be mailed to:
Cablevision Systems Corporation
638 Route 10
Randolph, New Jersey 07869
Attention: Vice President for Government/Public Affairs, New Jersey
With a copy to:
Cablevision of Oakland, LLC
1111 Stewart Avenue
Bethpage, New York 11714
Attention: Legal Department
B. 
Notices to the Borough shall be mailed to:
Borough of Ho-Ho-Kus
333 Warren Avenue
Ho-Ho-Kus, New Jersey 07423
Attention: Borough Administrator
This chapter shall take effect upon issuance of a certificate of approval as issued by the Board of Public Utilities that incorporates the material terms of this chapter. Nothing herein shall alter the right of the company to seek modification of this chapter in accordance with N.J.S.A. 48:5A-47 and N.J.A.C. 14:17-6.7.