[Added 8-4-1999 by Ord. No. 20-99]
A.
There is hereby established and confirmed within the City of Orange Township the Cable Television Advisory Committee which shall be solely comprised of thirteen (13) persons consisting of the following six (6) classes:
Class I. The Mayor or his designee. |
Class II. Two (2) of the officials of the City of Orange Township other than a member of the Municipal Council to be appointed by the Mayor. |
Class III. Three (3) members of the Municipal Council to be appointed by it. |
Class IV. Two (2) members representing officials of the Board of Education. |
Class V. One (1) member representing the Orange Public Library. |
Class VI. Four (4) members who are citizens of the City of Orange Township to be appointed by the Mayor with the advice and consent of the Municipal Council. Such members of Class VI shall not be employees of the City. |
Class VI Alternate Members: Not more than three (3) alternate members designated Alternate No. 1, Alternate No. 2 and Alternate No. 3 shall be appointed and so designated at the time of appointment by the Mayor and shall meet qualifications of Class VI. Alternate members may participate in discussions of the proceedings but may not vote except in the absence or disqualification of a regular member of any class. A vote shall not be delayed in order that a regular member may vote instead of an alternate member. In the event that a choice must be made as to which alternate member is to vote, Alternate No. 1 shall vote unless unavailable or disqualified, in which event Alternate No. 2 shall vote unless unavailable or disqualified, in which event Alternate No. 3 shall vote. |
B.
The term of the Class I member shall correspond with his official tenure. The terms of the Class II and III members shall be for their respective terms of office. The term of Class IV and V members shall be for a period of three (3) years or will terminate at the expiration of their term of office or employment, whichever occurs first. The terms of a Class VI member shall be for a period of three (3) years. The terms of the alternate members shall be for three (3) years, except that the terms of the alternate members shall be such that the term of not more than one (1) member shall expire in any one (1) year. Alternate No. 1 shall initially be appointed for a one (1) year term. Alternate No. 2 shall initially be appointed for a two (2) year term. Alternate No. 3 shall initially be appointed for a three (3) year term. Thereafter, the terms of each of the alternate members shall be for a three (3) year term.
C.
If a vacancy of any class shall occur otherwise than by expiration of terms, it shall be filled by appointments as above provided for the unexpired term. A vacancy of any alternate occurring otherwise than by expiration of term, shall be filled by the Mayor with the advice and consent of the Municipal Council for the unexpired term only.
D.
(1)
The members of the Committee shall organize annually. The Committee shall elect a Chairman and Vice Chairman from the members of Class VI and select a Secretary who shall be a City employee designated by it. The Committee shall adopt bylaws and regulations for the conduct of business of the Committee. All members shall serve without financial compensation.
(2)
For each month during the three (3) years preceding the renewal of any franchise, the Cable Television Advisory Committee shall meet at least once a month.
E.
The Committee shall also have the following powers and duties:
(1)
To establish, amend and supplement its own bylaws to govern its structure, operations and activities to the extent not inconsistent with this section or any other federal, state or local regulation or law;
(2)
To make recommendations to the Mayor and the Council with respect to any matters relating to cable television or telecommunications and video facilities with the City of Orange Township or the County of Essex;
(3)
To prepare an annual report of its activities with recommendation to the Mayor and Council and, at such times as the Mayor or the Council shall request or the Committee shall deem advisable;
(4)
To act as liaison between the Council and other entities involved in cable or telecommunications activities and/or programming in the community;
(5)
To review the cable television system franchise in the City of Orange Township and see to the compliance thereof by the franchise holder;
(6)
To encourage and promote the full utilization of the cable television system resources by its residents, schools, public bodies, citizen organizations and the general public;
(7)
To encourage and coordinate the use of all available technical equipment and expertise needed by the public and private organizations and private individuals to produce cable television programs;
(8)
To examine all possible means of attracting public and private funding which would enhance the public's opportunity to fully benefit from the use of the cable television system;
(9)
To apply for the receipt of public and private funds for the purpose of performing responsibilities under the section. The Committee may disburse, with the advice and consent of the Council, such stipulated funds as may be donated to the City of Orange Township for the advancement of specific projects or the general purpose of the Committee;
(10)
To propose appropriate procedures to the cable television franchise holder regarding the scheduling and programming of public access, municipal government and educational channels. Any procedures should be so designated as to facilitate the free and open use of these channels, and they shall not be in conflict with any existing or future federal, state or local laws or regulations regarding the public use of the CATV System;
(11)
To serve as an advisory body to the Council and the cable television system franchise holder in resolving disputes and citizen complaints relating to the service and the use of public access, municipal or educational channels of the cable television system;
(12)
To prepare an annual operating report to the Council in cooperation with the franchise holder as to the status and progress of the cable television system for the previous twelve (12) months;
(13)
To recommend any changes and improvements in the municipal consent ordinance, provided that such changes are acceptable to the Council as well as the franchise holder;
(14)
To report regularly to the Mayor and the Council regarding the Committee's performance of its responsibilities; and
(15)
To perform such other advisory duties as are assigned to it by ordinance or resolution of the Municipal Council for the aid and assistance of the Municipal Council or other agencies.