[Ord. of 4-5-1999]
(a) 
Title. This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Old Town Cable Communications Regulatory Ordinance."
(b) 
Purpose. The City of Old Town finds that the development of cable television systems has the potential of greatly benefitting and having a positive impact on the people of Old Town. Cable technology is rapidly changing, and cable is expected to play an essential role as part of the City's basic infrastructure. Cable television systems extensively make use of scarce and valuable public rights-of-way, in a manner different from the way in which the general public uses them, and in a manner reserved primarily for those that provide services to the public, such as utility companies. The City finds that public convenience, safety, and general welfare can best be served by establishing regulatory powers vested in the City or such persons as the City so designates to protect the public and to ensure that any franchise granted is operated in the public interest. In light of the foregoing, the following goals and the state policies set forth at 30-A M.R.S.A. § 3008(1), among others, underlie the provisions set forth in this chapter:
(1) 
Cable should be available to as many City residents as possible.
(2) 
A cable system should be capable of accommodating both the present and reasonably foreseeable future cable-related needs of the community.
(3) 
A cable system should be constructed and maintained during a franchise term so that changes in technology may be integrated to the maximum extent possible into existing system facilities.
(4) 
A cable system should be responsive to the needs and interests of the local community.
(c) 
The City intends that all provisions set forth in this chapter be construed to serve the public interest and the foregoing public purposes, and that any franchise issued pursuant to this chapter be construed to include the foregoing findings and public purposes as integral parts thereof.
[Ord. of 4-5-1999]
For the purposes of the chapter, the following terms, phrases, words, and abbreviations shall have the meanings given herein, unless otherwise expressly stated. When not inconsistent with the context, words used in the present tense include the future tense; words in the plural number include the singular number and words in the singular number include the plural number; and the masculine gender includes the feminine gender. The words "shall" and "will" are mandatory, and "may" is permissive. Unless otherwise expressly stated, words not defined herein shall be given the meaning set forth in Title 47 of the United States Code, Chapter 5, Subchapter V-A, 47 U.S.C. §§ 521 et seq., as amended, and, if not defined therein, their common and ordinary meaning.
AFFILIATE
Any person who owns or controls, is owned or controlled by, or is under common ownership or control with a grantee.
BASIC CABLE SERVICE
Any service tier that includes the retransmission of local television broadcast signals.
CABLE ACT
The Cable Communications Policy Act of 1984, 47 U.S.C. §§ 521 et seq., as amended by the Cable Competition and Consumer Protection Act of 1992, the Telecommunications Act of 1996, and as it may be further amended from time to time.
CABLE PROGRAMMING SERVICE
Any video programming provided over a cable system, regardless of service tier, including installation or rental of equipment used for the receipt of such video programming, other than (a) video programming carried on the basic cable service tier; and (b) video programming offered on a per-channel, or per-program basis.
CABLE SERVICE
This term shall have the meaning given it by the Cable Act, as amended.
CABLE SYSTEM or SYSTEM
A facility consisting of a set of closed transmission paths and associated signal generation, reception, and control equipment that is designed to provide cable television service which includes video programming and which is provided to multiple subscribers within the City, but such term does not include (i) a facility that serves only to retransmit the television signals of one or more television broadcast stations; (ii) a facility that serves subscribers without using any public right-of-way; (iii) a facility of a common carrier which is subject, in whole or in part, to the provisions of Title II of the Communications Act of 1934, except that such facility shall be considered a cable system to the extent 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; (iv) an open video system that complies with federal law; or (v) any facilities of any electric utility used solely for operating its electric utility systems. A reference to a cable system refers to any part thereof, including, without limitation, facilities located in the interior of a subscriber's residence or other premises.
CITY
The City of Old Town, Maine, and any agency, department, or agent thereof.
FCC
The Federal Communications Commission, its designee, or any successor governmental entity thereto.
FRANCHISE
The non-exclusive authorization granted in accordance with this chapter to construct, operate, and maintain a cable system along the public right-of-way within all or a specified area of the City. Any such authorization, in whatever form granted, shall not mean or include any license or permit required for the privilege of transacting and carrying on a business within the City as required by the ordinances and laws of the City, or for attaching devices to poles or other structures, whether owned by the City or a private entity, or for excavating or performing other work in or along public rights-of-way.
FRANCHISE AGREEMENT
A contract entered into in accordance with the provisions of this chapter between the City and a grantee that sets forth, subject to applicable state and federal law, the terms and conditions under which a franchise will be exercised.
FRANCHISE AREA
The area of the City that a grantee is authorized to serve by its franchise agreement.
GRANTEE
The natural person(s), partnership(s), domestic or foreign corporation(s), association(s), joint venture(s), or organizations(s) of any kind which has or have been granted a cable television franchise by the City.
GROSS REVENUES
Those items within the scope of the term "gross revenue" as used in the Cable Act, as amended, including any and all cash, credits, property or other consideration of any kind or nature received directly or indirectly by a grantee, an affiliate of a grantee, or any person in which a grantee has a financial interest, or by any other entity that is a cable operator of a cable system arising from, attributable to, or in any way derived from the operation of a grantee's cable system to provide cable service, including the facilities associated therewith. Gross revenues include, but are not limited to, monthly fees charged subscribers for any basic, optional, premium, per-channel, or per-program service; installation, disconnection, reconnection, and change-in-service fees; leased channel fees; late fees and administrative fees; fees, payments, or other consideration received from programmers for carriage of programming on the system; revenues from converter rentals or sales; advertising revenues; barter; revenues from program guides; and revenues from home shopping channels. Gross revenues earned on a system-wide basis shall be allocated to the City on the basis of the ratio of the subscribers in the City to the total subscribers in all the franchising authorities served by the system, as determined by the most recent U.S. Census, or any similar method agreed upon by the City and a grantee. Gross revenues shall be the basis for computing the franchise fee under this chapter. Gross revenues shall not include (i) 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; (ii) the value of free cable services provided to grantee's employees or to the City; (iii) revenues received by an affiliate from the grantee on which the grantee has already paid the franchise fee; (iv) any taxes on services furnished by a grantee which are imposed directly on any subscriber or user by the state, City, or other governmental unit and which are collected by a grantee on behalf of said governmental unit; and (v) revenues from the provision of telecommunications services.
PERSON
An individual, partnership, association, joint stock company, organization, corporation, or any lawful successor thereto or transferee thereof, but such term does not include the City.
PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY
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 in which the City now or hereafter holds any property interest, or may lawfully grant the use of, which, consistent with the purposes for which it was dedicated, may be used for the purpose of installing and maintaining a cable system. No reference herein, or in any franchise agreement, to a "public right-of-way" shall be deemed to be 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 grantee shall be deemed to gain only those rights to use as are properly in the City and as the City may have the undisputed right and power to give.
SALE
Any sale, exchange, or barter transaction.
SERVICE TIER
A package of two or more cable services for which a separate charge is made by the grantee, other than a package of premium and pay-per-view services that are also sold on a true a la carte basis.
SUBSCRIBER
Any person who legally receives cable service, whether or not a fee is paid for such service.
TRANSFER
Any transaction in which (i) an ownership or other interest in a grantee, its cable system, or any person that is a cable operator of the cable system, or any person that is a cable operator of the cable system is transferred from one person or group of persons so that control of a grantee is transferred; or (ii) the rights or obligations held by a grantee under a franchise agreement are transferred or assigned to another person or group of persons. Control for these purposes means working control, in whatever manner exercised. By way of illustration and not limitation, the addition, deletion, or other change of any general partner of a grantee, any person who owns or controls a grantee, or a cable operator of a cable system is such a change of control.
USER
A person or organization utilizing a channel or equipment and facilities for purposes of producing or transmitting material, as contrasted with the receipt thereof in the capacity of a subscriber.
[Ord. of 4-5-1999]
(a) 
Grant of franchise. The City may grant one or more cable television franchises, and each such franchise shall be awarded in accordance with and subject to the provisions of this chapter. In no event shall this chapter be considered a contract between the City and a grantee.
(b) 
Franchise required. No person may construct or operate a cable system without a franchise granted by the City unless otherwise authorized by law, and no person may be granted a franchise without having entered into a franchise agreement with the City pursuant to this chapter.
(c) 
Franchise characteristics:
(1) 
Authority granted by franchise. A franchise authorizes use of public rights-of-way for installing cables, wires, lines, optical fiber, underground conduit, and other devices necessary and appurtenant to the operation of a cable system within a franchise area, but does not expressly or implicitly authorize a grantee to provide service to, or install a cable system on private property without owner consent (except for use of compatible easements pursuant to Section 621 of the Cable Act, 47 U.S.C. § 541 (a)(2), or to use publicly or privately owned conduits without a separate agreement with the owners.
(2) 
Term of franchise. The term of a franchise may not exceed 15 years.
(3) 
Non-exclusivity. A franchise is non-exclusive and will not explicitly or implicitly preclude the issuance of other franchises to operate cable systems within the City; affect the City's right to authorize use of public right-of-way by other persons to operate cable systems or for other purposes as it determines appropriate; or affect the City's right to itself construct, operate, or maintain a cable system, with or without a franchise.
(4) 
Franchise agreement constitutes contract. Once a franchise agreement has been accepted and executed by the City and a grantee, such franchise agreement shall constitute a contract between the grantee and the City, and the terms, conditions, and provisions of such franchise agreement, subject to the ordinance in effect as of the effective date of such franchise agreement and all other duly enacted and applicable laws, shall define the rights and obligations of the grantee and the City relating to the franchise. Nothing in this chapter or a franchise agreement shall be deemed a waiver of or restriction on the City's police powers, or a waiver of any of the terms of any City ordinance regarding the use or management of the public right-of-way or intended to protect the public's safety.
(5) 
Use of public rights-of-way. All privileges prescribed by a franchise shall be subordinate to any prior lawful occupancy of the public right-of-way, and the City reserves the right to reasonably designate where a grantee's facilities are to be placed within the public right-of-way. The rights and privileges granted pursuant to a franchise shall not be in preference or hindrance to the right of the City, or other governmental agency, improvement district or other authority having jurisdiction, and should a cable system in any way interfere with the construction, maintenance, or repair of such public works or improvements, the grantee shall promptly, at its own expense, protect or relocate its system or part thereof, as directed by the City or other authority having jurisdiction.
(6) 
Franchise personal to grantee. A franchise shall be a privilege that is in the public trust and personal to the original grantee. No transfer of a franchise shall occur without the prior consent of the City and unless application is made by the grantee and City approval obtained, pursuant to this chapter and the franchise agreement; provided, however, that the grantee may make assignments of collateral to a lender upon reasonable prior notice to the City. No such assignment of collateral shall be deemed to permit any person to avoid any obligations under this chapter or a franchise agreement.
(7) 
Exclusive contracts unenforceable. A franchise holder may not enter into or enforce any exclusive contract with a subscriber (including, but not limited to, a building owner) as a condition of providing or continuing service.
(d) 
Grantee subject to other laws, police power:
(1) 
Compliance with laws. A grantee shall at all times be subject to and shall comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws. A grantee shall at all times be subject to all lawful exercise of the police power of the City, including all rights the City may have under 47 U.S.C. § 552.
(2) 
No waiver of City rights. No course of dealing between a grantee and the City, or any delay on the part of the City in exercising any rights hereunder, shall operate as a waiver of any such rights of the City or acquiescence in the actions of a grantee in contravention of rights except to the extent expressly waived by the City or expressly provided for in a franchise agreement.
(3) 
City has maximum regulatory authority. The City shall have the maximum plenary authority to regulate cable systems, grantees, and franchises as may now or hereafter be lawfully permissible; except where rights are expressly waived by a franchise agreement, they are reserved, whether expressly enumerated or not. The City also expressly reserves the right to amend this chapter or adopt one or more other ordinances to address the activities of providers of telecommunications services and providers of video programming services not otherwise subject to this chapter, to the maximum extent permitted by state and federal law.
(e) 
Interpretation of franchise terms:
(1) 
Provision to City's benefit controlling. In the event of a conflict between this chapter as effective on the effective date of a franchise agreement and that franchise agreement, the terms of this chapter as effective on the effective date of that franchise agreement shall control, except as otherwise provided in a franchise agreement.
(2) 
Liberal construction. The provisions of this chapter and a franchise agreement will be liberally construed in favor of the City in order to effectuate their purposes and objectives and to promote the public interest, except as otherwise provided in a franchise agreement.
(3) 
Governing law. Except as to matters that are governed solely by federal law or regulation, a franchise agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Maine.
(f) 
Operation of a cable system without a franchise. Any person who occupies public rights-of-way for the purpose of operating or constructing a cable system and who does not hold a valid franchise from the City shall be subject to all provisions of this chapter, including, but not limited to, its provisions regarding construction and technical standards and franchise fees. In its discretion, the City at any time may require such person to enter into a franchise agreement within 30 days of receipt of a written notice by the City that a franchise agreement is required; require such person to remove its property and restore the area to a condition satisfactory to the City within such time period; remove the property itself and restore the area to a satisfactory condition and charge the person the costs therefor; and/or take any other action it is entitled to take under applicable law, including filing for and seeking damages under trespass. In no event shall a franchise be created unless it is issued by action of the City and subject to a franchise agreement.
(g) 
Right of condemnation reserved. Nothing in this chapter or any franchise agreement shall limit any right the City may have to acquire by eminent domain or otherwise any property of grantee.
(h) 
Acts at grantee's expense. Any act that a grantee is or may be required to perform under this chapter, a franchise agreement, or applicable law shall be performed at the grantee's expense, unless expressly provided to the contrary in this chapter, the franchise agreement, or applicable law.
[Ord. of 4-5-1999]
(a) 
Written application:
(1) 
Application requirement. A written application shall be filed with the City for (i) grant of an initial franchise; (ii) renewal of a franchise under 47 U.S.C. § 546 (a) — (g); or (iii) modification of a franchise agreement pursuant to this chapter or a franchise agreement. An applicant shall demonstrate in its application compliance with all requirements of this chapter and all applicable laws.
(2) 
Acceptability for filing. To be acceptable for filing, a signed original of the application shall be submitted together with 12 copies. The City Manager may, in combination with neighboring communities, establish a joint application procedure, provided that any such procedure conforms with the standards of this chapter. The application must be accompanied by the required application filing fee as set forth in subsection (f), conform to any applicable request for proposals, and contain all required information. All applications shall include the names and addresses of persons authorized to act on behalf of the applicant with respect to the application.
(3) 
Application available for public inspection. All applications accepted for filing shall be made available by the City for public inspection in the office of the City Clerk during normal business hours.
(4) 
City may waive. The City Council may waive any of the provisions of this § 23-4 by resolution for good cause shown, where application of the rule would cause manifest injustice, except for those provisions required by state or federal law. Any waiver granted shall explain the basis for the waiver and shall not unduly discriminate against any applicant.
(b) 
Application for grant of a franchise, other than a Cable Act Renewal franchise:
(1) 
Application. A person may apply for an initial franchise by submitting an application containing the information required in subsection (d) and requesting and evaluation of that application pursuant to subsection (b)(2). Prior to evaluating that application, the City may conduct such investigations as are necessary to determine whether the application satisfies the standards set forth in subsection (b)(2) additional applications.
(2) 
Factors in evaluating application for franchise. In evaluating an application for a franchise, the City shall consider, among other things, the following factors:
a. 
The extent to which the applicant has substantially complied with the applicable law and the material terms of any existing cable franchise for the City.
b. 
Whether the quality of the applicant's service under an existing franchise in the City, including signal quality, response to customer complaints, billing practices, and the like, has been reasonable in light of the needs and interests of the communities served.
c. 
Whether the applicant has the financial, technical, and legal qualifications to provide cable service.
d. 
Whether the application satisfies any minimum requirements established by the City and is otherwise reasonable to meet the future cable-related needs and interests of the community, taking into account the cost of meeting such needs and interests.
e. 
Whether, to the extent not considered as part of this subsection, the applicant will provide adequate public, educational, and governmental access channel capacity, facilities, or financial support.
f. 
Whether issuance of a franchise is warranted in the public interest considering the immediate and future effect on the public right-of-way and private property that would be used by the cable system, including the extent to which installation or maintenance as planned would require replacement of property or involve disruption of property, public services, or use of the public right-of-way; the effect of granting a franchise on the ability of cable to meet the cable-related needs and interests of the community; and the comparative superiority or inferiority of competing applications.
g. 
Whether the applicant or an affiliate of the applicant owns or controls any other cable system in the City, or whether grant of the application may eliminate or reduce competition in the delivery of cable service in the City.
(3) 
City determination. If the City finds that it is in the public interest to issue a franchise considering the factors set forth above, and subject to the applicant's entry into an appropriate franchise agreement, it shall issue a franchise. If the City denies a franchise, it will issue a written decision explaining why the franchise was denied. Prior to deciding whether or not to issue a franchise, the City may hold one or more public hearings or implement other procedures under which comments from the public on an application may be received. The City also may grant or deny a request for a franchise based on its review of an application without further proceedings and may reject any application that is incomplete. This chapter is not intended and shall not be interpreted to grant any applicant or existing grantee standing to challenge the issuance of a franchise to another.
(4) 
Joint review. The City may elect to delegate review of an application to a consortium of local governments or a formally constituted interlocal body of which the City is a member. Any such entity shall review the application in accordance with the standards of subsection (b) and make a recommendation to the City. In such a case, the City Council shall review the recommendation of the designated body and approve or reject it in accordance with the terms of subsection (c).
(c) 
Application for grant of a Cable Act Renewal franchise. Applications for renewal under the Cable Act shall be received and reviewed in a manner consistent with Section 626 of the Cable Act, 47 U.S.C. § 546. If neither a grantee nor the City activates in a timely manner or can activate the renewal process set forth in 47 U.S.C. § 546 (a) - (g) (including, for example, if the provisions are repealed), and except as to applications submitted pursuant to 47 U.S.C. § 546 (h), the provisions of Subsection (b) shall apply and renewal request shall be treated the same as any other request for a franchise. The following requirements shall apply to renewal requests properly submitted pursuant to the Cable Act:
(1) 
Issuance of RFP. If the provisions of 47 U.S.C. § 546 (a) - (g) are properly invoked, the City shall issue an RFP after conducting a proceeding to review the applicant's past performance and to identify future cable-related community needs and interests. The City administrator, or the administrator's designee, shall establish deadlines and procedures for responding to the RFP, may seek additional information from the applicant, and shall establish deadlines for the submission of that additional information. Following receipt of the application responding to that RFP (and such additional information as may be provided in response to requests), the City will determine that the franchise should be renewed, or make a preliminary assessment that the franchise should not be renewed. This determination shall be in accordance with the time limits established by the Cable Act. The preliminary determination shall be made by order. If the City determines that the franchise should not be renewed, and the applicant that submitted the renewal application notifies the City, either in its RFP response or within 10 working days of the preliminary assessment, that it wishes to pursue any rights to an administrative proceeding it has under the Cable Act, then the City shall commence an administrative proceeding after providing prompt public notice thereof, in accordance with the Cable Act. If the City decides preliminarily to grant renewal, it shall prepare a final franchise agreement that incorporates, as appropriate, the commitments made by the applicant in the renewal application. If the applicant accepts the franchise agreement, and the final agreement is ratified by the City, the franchise shall be renewed. If the franchise agreement is not so accepted and ratified within the time limits established by 47 U.S.C. § 546(c) (1), renewal shall be deemed preliminarily denied, and an administrative proceeding commenced if the applicant that submitted the renewal application requests it within 10 days of the expiration of the time limit established by 47 U.S.C. § 546 (c)(1).
(2) 
Administrative hearing. If an administrative hearing is commenced pursuant to 47 U.S.C. § 546(c), the applicant's renewal application shall be evaluated considering such matters as may be considered consistent with federal law. The following procedures shall apply:
a. 
The City Council shall, by order, appoint an administrative hearing officer or officers (referred to hereafter as "hearing officer"). The City Council may appoint itself as hearing officer.
b. 
The hearing officer shall establish a schedule for proceeding which allows for documentary discovery and interrogatory responses, production of evidence, and cross-examination of witnesses. Depositions shall not be permitted unless the party requesting the deposition shows that documentary discovery and interrogatory responses will not provide it an adequate opportunity to require the production of evidence necessary to present its case. The hearing officer shall have the authority to require the production of evidence as the interests of justice may require, including to require the production of evidence by the applicant that submitted the renewal application and any entity that owns or controls or is owned or controlled by such applicant directly or indirectly. The hearing officer may issue protective orders, but shall not prohibit discovery on the ground that evidence sought is proprietary or involves business secrets. Any order may be enforced by a court of competent jurisdiction or by imposing appropriate sanctions in the administrative hearing.
c. 
The hearing officer may conduct a prehearing conference and establish appropriate prehearing orders. Intervention by non-parties is not authorized except to the extent permitted by the Cable Act.
d. 
The hearing officer shall require the City and the applicant to submit prepared testimony prior to the hearing. Unless the parties agree otherwise, the applicant shall present evidence first, and the City shall present evidence second.
e. 
Any reports or the transcript of summary of any proceedings conducted pursuant to 47 U.S.C. § 546(a) shall for purposes of the administrative hearing be regarded no differently than any other evidence. The City and the applicant must be afforded full procedural protection regarding evidence related to these proceedings, including the right to refute any evidence introduced in these proceedings or sought to be introduced by the other party. Both shall have the opportunity to submit additional evidence related to issues raised in the proceeding conducted pursuant to 47 U.S.C. § 546(a).
f. 
Following completion of any hearing, the hearing officer shall require the parties to submit proposed findings of fact with respect to the matters that the City is entitled to consider in determining whether renewal ought to be granted. Based on the record of the hearing, the hearing officer shall then prepare written findings with respect to those matters, and submit those findings to the City Council and to the parties (unless the hearing officer is the City Council, in which case the written findings shall constitute the final decision of the City).
g. 
If the hearing officer is not the City Council, the parties shall have 30 days from the date the findings are submitted to the City Council shall thereafter issue a written decision granting or denying the application for renewal, consistent with the requirements of the Cable Act and based on the record of such proceeding. A copy of the final decision of the City Council shall be provided to the applicant.
h. 
The proceeding shall be conducted with the due speed.
i. 
In conducting the proceedings, and except as inconsistent with the foregoing, the hearing officer will follow the Maine Administrative Procedures Act or the successor statutes thereto. The hearing officer may request that the City Council adopt additional procedures and requirements as necessary in the interest of justice.
(3) 
Informal renewal applications. This subsection does not prohibit any grantee from submitting an informal renewal application pursuant to 47 U.S.C. § 546(h), which application may be granted or denied in accordance with the provisions of 47 U.S.C. § 546(h).
(4) 
Consistency with Cable Act. The provisions of this chapter shall be read and applied so that they are consistent with Section 626 of the Cable Act, 47 U.S.C. § 546.
(d) 
Contents of applications. An RFP for the grant of a renewal franchise under 47 U.S.C. § 546(c) shall require, and any application for a initial or renewal franchise (other than an application submitted pursuant to 47 U.S.C. § 546(h) shall contain, at a minimum, the following information:
(1) 
Identification of applicant and its ownership and control. Name and address of the applicant and identification of the ownership and control of the applicant, including: the names and addresses of the 10 largest holders of an ownership interest in the applicant and affiliates of the applicant, and all persons with 5% or more ownership interest in the applicant and its affiliates; the persons who control the applicant and its affiliates; all officers and directors of the applicant and its affiliates; and any other business affiliation and cable system ownership interest of each named person.
(2) 
Statement of applicant's technical ability. A demonstration of the applicant's technical ability to construct and/or operate the proposed cable system, including identification of key personnel.
(3) 
Statement of applicant's legal qualifications.
a. 
A demonstration of the applicant's legal qualifications to construct and/or operate the proposed cable system, including but not limited to a demonstration that the applicant meets the following criteria:
1. 
The applicant must not have submitted an application for an initial or renewal franchise to the City, which was denied on the ground that the applicant failed to propose a system meeting the cable-related needs and interests of the community, or as to which any challenges to such licensing decision were finally resolved adversely to the applicant, within three years preceding the submission of the application.
2. 
The applicant must not have had any cable television franchise validly revoked by any licensing authority within three years preceding the submission of the application.
3. 
The applicant must have the necessary authority under Maine law to operate a cable system.
4. 
The applicant shall not be issued a franchise if it may not hold the franchise as a matter of federal law. An applicant must have, or show that it is qualified to obtain, the necessary federal licenses or waivers required to operate the system proposed.
5. 
The applicant shall not be issued a franchise if, at any time during the 10 days preceding the submission of the application, the applicant was convicted of any act or omission of such character that the applicant cannot be relied upon to deal truthfully with the City and the subscribers of the cable system, or to substantially comply with its lawful obligations under applicable law, including obligations under consumer protection laws and laws prohibiting anticompetitive acts, fraud, racketeering, or other similar conduct.
6. 
The applicant shall not be issued a franchise if it files materially misleading information in its application or intentionally withholds information that the applicant lawfully is required to provide.
7. 
The applicant shall not be issued a franchise if an elected official of the City holds a controlling interest in the applicant or an affiliate of the applicant.
b. 
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the City shall provide an opportunity to an applicant to show that it would be inappropriate to deny it a franchise under Subsection (d)(3)a2 or 5, by virtue of the particular circumstances surrounding the matter and the steps taken by the applicant to cure all harms flowing therefrom and prevent their recurrence, the lack of involvement of the applicant's principles, or the remoteness of the matter from the operation of cable television systems.
(4) 
Statement of applicant's financial qualifications. A statement prepared by a certified public accountant regarding the applicant's financial ability to complete the construction and operation of the cable system proposed.
(5) 
Description of prior experience. A description of the applicant's prior experience in cable system ownership, construction, and operation, and identification of communities in which the applicant or any of its principals have, or have had, a cable franchise or license or any interest therein, provided that, an applicant that holds a franchise for the City and is seeking renewal of that franchise need only provide this information for other communities where its franchise was scheduled to expire in the two calendar years prior to and after its application was submitted.
(6) 
Identification of area to be served. Identification of the area of the City to be served by the proposed cable system, including a description of the proposed franchise area's boundaries.
(7) 
Description of physical facilities. A detailed description of the physical facilities proposed, including channel capacity, technical design, performance characteristics, headend, and access facilities.
(8) 
Description of construction of proposed system. Where applicable, a description of the construction of the proposed system, including an estimate of plant mileage and its location, the proposed construction schedule, a description, where appropriate, of how services will be converted from existing facilities to new facilities, and information on the availability of space in conduits including, where appropriate, an estimate of the cost of any necessary rearrangement of existing facilities.
(9) 
Proposed rate structure. The proposed rate structure, including projected charges for each service tier, installation, converters, and other equipment or services.
(10) 
Demonstration of how future community needs and interests will be met. A demonstration of the how the applicant will reasonably meet the future cable-related needs and interests of the community, including descriptions of how the applicant will meet the needs described in any recent community needs assessment conducted by or for the City, and how the applicant will provide adequate public, educational, and governmental access channel capacity, facilities, or financial support to meet the community's needs and interests. The City Manager may, in coordination with neighboring communities, establish procedures for conducting a joint needs assessment.
(11) 
Pro forma financial projections. Pro forma financial projections for the proposed franchise term, including a statement of projected income, and a schedule of planned capital additions, with al significant assumptions explained in notes or supporting schedules.
(12) 
Identification of area of overbuild. If the applicant proposes to provide cable service to an area already served by an existing cable grantee, the identification of the area where the overbuild would occur, the potential subscriber density in the area that would encompass the overbuild, and the ability of the public rights-of-way and other property that would be used by the applicant to accommodate an additional system.
(13) 
Other information. Any other information as may be reasonably necessary to demonstrate compliance with the requirements of this chapter.
(14) 
Information requested by City. Information that the City may reasonably request of the applicant that is relevant to the City's consideration of the application.
(15) 
Certification of accuracy. An affidavit or declaration of the applicant or authorized officer certifying the truth and accuracy of the information in the application, acknowledging the enforceability of application commitments, and certifying that the application meets all federal and state law requirements.
(e) 
Application for modification of a franchise. An application for modification of a franchise agreement shall include, at minimum, the following information:
(1) 
The specific modification requested;
(2) 
The justification for the requested modification, including the impact of the requested modification of Subscribers and others, and the financial impact on the applicant if the modification is approved or disapproved, demonstrated through inter alia submission of financial pro formas;
(3) 
A statement whether the modification is sought pursuant to Section 625 of the Cable Act, 47 U.S.C. § 545, and if so, a demonstration that the requested modification meets the standards set forth in 47 U.S.C. § 545;
(4) 
Any other information that the applicant believes is necessary for the City to make an informed determination on the application for modification; and
(5) 
An affidavit or declaration of the applicant or authorized officer certifying the truth and accuracy of the information in the application, and certifying that the application is consistent with all federal and state law requirements.
(f) 
Filing fees.
(1) 
To be acceptable for filing, and application submitted after the effective date of this chapter shall be accompanied by a filing fee in the following amount to cover costs incidental to the awarding or enforcement of the franchise, as appropriate:
a. 
For an initial franchise: $500.
b. 
For renewal of a franchise: $1,000.
c. 
For modification of a franchise agreement: $500.
(2) 
The City may also elect to share the costs of reviewing an application with other communities served by the system of which an existing or proposed cable system in the City is a part. In that case, the filing fees shown above shall not apply, and shall be replaced with combined filing fees for all communities with whom the City is sharing expenses. The combined filing fees shall be $7,000 for an initial grant or a modification, and $14,000 for a renewal. The combined filing fees may be prorated among the participating communities on the basis of the number of residents in each community as of the most recent U.S. Census, or allocated according to some other mutually agreeable method.
(g) 
Public hearings. An applicant shall be notified of any public hearings held in connection with the evaluation of its application and shall be given an opportunity to be heard. In addition, prior to the issuance of a franchise, the City shall provide for the holding of a public hearing within the proposed franchise area, following reasonable notice to the public, at which every applicant and its applications shall be examined and the public and all interested parties afforded a reasonable opportunity to be heard. Reasonable notice to the public shall include causing notice of the time and place of such hearing to be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the proposed franchise area once a week for two consecutive weeks. The first publication shall be not less than 14 days before the day of the hearing. Nothing herein shall be deemed to prevent or limit communities in which the applicant has requested grant or renewal of a franchise from holding joint public hearings in a location reasonably accessible to residents of each community which is the subject thereof.
[Ord. of 4-5-1999]
(a) 
Insurance required.
(1) 
A grantee shall maintain, and by its acceptance of a franchise specifically agrees that it will maintain throughout the entire length of the franchise period, such insurance as will protect the City and elected officials, employees and agents from any claims that may arise directly or indirectly or result from its acceptance of the franchise or its activities under the franchise, whether such activities are preformed by the grantee, or by anyone for whose acts the grantee may be liable, including, but not limited to, the following:
a. 
Worker's compensation, all risk, replacement cost basis, on all of the grantee's assets;
b. 
Property insurance, all risk, replacement cost basis, on all of the grantee's assets;
c. 
General liability insurance, in the following minimum amounts:
Type
Amount
Bodily injury or death
Primary insurance
$1,000,000 per person; $1,000,000 per occurrence
Umbrella insurance
$1,000,000
Property damage
$1,000,000
(2) 
The City may review these amounts no more than once a year and may require reasonable adjustments to them consistent with the public interest. The franchise agreement shall specify the procedures to be followed in the event that the grantee objects to an increase in a policy limit and the parties are unable to agree on a mutually acceptable amount.
(b) 
Qualifications of sureties. All insurance policies shall be with sureties qualified to do business in the State of Maine, with an A or better rating of insurance by Best's Key Rating Guide, Property/Casualty Edition, and in a form approved by the City.
(c) 
Evidence of insurance. A grantee shall keep on file with the City current certificates of insurance. A grantee shall provide the City with copies of all insurance policies in effect during the franchise period upon the written request of the City.
(d) 
Additional insureds; prior notice of policy cancellation. All general liability insurance policies shall name the City, its inhabitants, elected officials, officers, boards, commissions, commissioners, agents, and employees as additional insureds and shall further provide that any cancellation or reduction in coverage shall not be effective unless 30 days' prior written notice thereof has been given to the City. A grantee shall not cancel any required insurance policy without submission of proof that the grantee has obtained alternative insurance satisfactory to the City which complies with this chapter.
(e) 
Indemnification.
(1) 
Indemnification for damages and equitable relief. A grantee shall, at its sole cost and expense, indemnify, hold harmless, and defend the City, its inhabitants, elected officials, officers, boards, commissions, commissioners, agents, and employees, against any and all claims, suits, causes of action, proceedings, and judgements for damages or equitable relief arising out of the construction, maintenance, or operation of its cable system; copyright infringements or a failure by the grantee to secure consents from the owners, authorized distributors, or grantees of programs to be delivered by the cable system; the conduct of the grantee's business in the City; or in any way arising out of the grantee's enjoyment or exercise of a franchise granted hereunder, regardless of whether the act or omission complained of is authorized, allowed, or prohibited by this chapter or a franchise agreement.
(2) 
Indemnification for Cable Act claims. A grantee shall, at its sole cost and expense, fully indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the City, and in its capacity as such, the officers, agents, and employees thereof, from and against any and all claims, suits, actions, liability, and judgements for damages or otherwise subject to Section 638 of the Cable Act, 47 U.S.C. § 558, arising out of or alleged to arise out of the installation, construction, operation, or maintenance of its system, including, but not limited to, any claim against the grantee for invasion of the right of privacy, defamation of any person, firm or corporation, or the violation or infringement of any copyright, trade mark, trade name, service mark, or patent, or of any other right of any person, firm, or corporation. This indemnity does not apply to programming carried on any channel set aside for public, educational, or government use, or channels leased pursuant to 47 U.S.C. § 532, unless the grantee was in any respect engaged in determining the editorial content of the program, or adopts a policy of prescreening programming for the purported purpose of banning indecent or obscene programming.
(3) 
Attorney's fees. The indemnity provision includes, but is not limited to, the City's reasonable attorney's fees incurred in defending against any such claim, suit, action or proceeding.
(f) 
No limit of liability. Neither the provisions of this chapter nor any damage under any franchise issued hereunder.
(g) 
No recourse. Without limiting such immunities as it may have under applicable law, the City shall not be liable to the grantee for any damages or loss that the grantee may suffer as the result of the City's exercise of its authority pursuant to this chapter, a franchise agreement, or other applicable law.
[Ord. of 4-5-1999]
(a) 
Requirements of bond. Prior to any construction, rebuild or upgrade of the cable system requiring work in the public rights-of-way other than installation of aerial facilities and utility poles, a grantee shall establish in the City's favor an irrevocable performance bond in an amount specified in the franchise agreement or otherwise determined as reasonable by municipal officers as necessary to ensure the grantee's faithful performance of the construction, upgrade, or other work. The amount of such performance bond shall not exceed the lesser of 10% of the total cost of the work being done in the public right-of-way other than installation or aerial facilities and utility poles, or $50,000.
(b) 
Recovery under performance bond. In the event that a grantee subject to such a performance bond fails to complete the cable system construction, upgrade, or other work in the public rights-of-way in a safe, timely (subject to the force majeure provision of Subsection 23-17(b)), and competent manner in accordance with the provisions of a franchise agreement, there shall be recoverable, jointly and severally from the principal and surety of the bond, any damages or loss suffered by the City as a result, including the full amount of any compensation, indemnification, or cost of removal or abandonment of any property of the grantee, or the cost of completing or repairing the system construction, upgrade, or other work in the public rights-of-way, plus a reasonable allowance for attorneys' fees, up to the full amount of the bond. The City may also recover against the bond any amount recoverable against the security fund required under § 23-7 of this chapter, where such amount exceeds that available under the security fund.
(c) 
Elimination or reduction of bond. Any performance bond shall remain in place for one full year after completion to the satisfaction of the City of the work in the public right-of-way.
(d) 
New bond for new project. The City may subsequently require a new bond, for any subsequent construction, or other work in the public rights-of-way other than installation of aerial facilities and utility poles, whose cost exceeds an amount specified in a franchise agreement. In the event a grantee fails to complete the work secured by such a new performance bond in a safe, timely and competent manner, there shall be recoverable, jointly and severally from the principal and surety of the bond, any damages or loss suffered by the City as a result, including the full amount of any compensation, indemnification, or cost of removal or abandonment of any property of the grantee, or the cost of completing or repairing the system construction, upgrade, or other work in the public rights-of-way, plus a reasonable allowance for attorneys' fees, up to the full amount of the bond. The City may also recover against the bond any amount recoverable against the security fund required under § 23-7 of this chapter, where such amount exceeds that available under the security fund. In any event, the total amount of the bond shall not exceed the lesser 10% of the cost of the work being done in the public right-of-way, or $50,000.
(e) 
Issuance of bond; notice of cancellation required. Any performance bond shall be issued by a surety qualified to do business in the State of Maine, and having an A-1 or better rating of insurance in Best's Key Rating Guide, Property/Casualty Edition; shall be subject to the approval of the City; and shall contain the following endorsement:
"This bond may not be canceled, or allowed to lapse, until 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 to renew."
(f) 
Forfeiture. The total amount of any outstanding bond shall be forfeited in favor of the City in the event that:
(1) 
The grantee abandons the cable system or any part thereof at any time during the term of the franchise; or
(2) 
The grantee fails to purchase and maintain insurance as required by § 23-5 hereof; or
(3) 
The franchise is revoked as provided in § 23-8(b) hereof.
[Ord. of 4-5-1999]
(a) 
Establishment of security fund:
(1) 
A franchise agreement may provide that, prior to the franchise's becoming effective, the grantee shall post with the City a cash security deposit to be used as a security fund to ensure the grantee's faithful performance of the compliance with all provisions of this chapter, the franchise agreement, and other applicable laws, and compliance with all orders, permits, and directions of the City or any agency thereof having jurisdiction over the grantee's acts or defaults under the franchise, and the payment by the grantee of any claims, liens, fees, or taxes due the City which arise by reason of the construction, operation, or maintenance of the system. The amount of any security fund shall be specified in a franchise agreement.
(2) 
In lieu of a cash security fund, a grantee may agree to file and maintain with the City an irrevocable letter of credit with a local bank in the amount specified in the preceding paragraph to serve the same purpose as set forth therein. Said letter of credit shall remain in effect for the full term of the franchise plus an additional six months thereafter. The grantee and its surety shall be jointly and severally liable under the terms of the letter of credit for the grantee's failure to ensure its faithful performance of and compliance with all provisions of this chapter, the franchise agreement, and other applicable law, and compliance with all orders, permits, and directions of the City, and the payment by the grantee of any claims, liens, fees, or taxes due the City which arise by reason of the construction, operation, or maintenance of the system. The letter of credit shall provide for 30 days' prior written notice to the City of any intention on the part of the grantee to cancel, fail to renew, or otherwise materially alter its terms. Neither the filing of a letter of credit with the City, nor the receipt of any damages recovered by the City thereunder, shall be construed to excuse faithful performance by the grantee or limit the liability of the grantee under the terms of its franchise for damages, either to the full amount of the letter of credit or otherwise.
(b) 
Use of fund. If a grantee fails to make timely payment to the City of any amount due as a result of a franchise, fails to make timely payment to the City of any amounts due under a franchise agreement or applicable law, fails to make timely payment to the City of any taxed due, or fails to compensate the City for any damages, costs, or expenses the City suffers or incurs by reason of any act or omission of the grantee in connection with its franchise agreement, the City may withdraw the amount thereof from the security fund. To invoke the provisions of this section, the City shall give the grantee written notice of the default in the grantee's performance. If within 30 calendar days following such written notice from the City to the grantee, the grantee has not remedied the default to the satisfaction of the City, the City may proceed to withdraw the amount in question from the security fund, provided that, if by its nature the default cannot be remedied within 30 days and the grantee has demonstrated to the satisfaction of the City that it is making a continuing good faith effort to remedy the default, the City shall not draw on the security fund.
(c) 
Notification. Within 10 business days of a withdrawal from the security fund, the City shall mail, by certified mail, return receipt requested, written notification of the amount, date, and purpose of such withdrawal to the grantee.
(d) 
Inadequate fund balance. If at the time of a withdrawal from the security fund by the City, the amount of the fund is insufficient to provide the total payment towards which the withdrawal is directed, the balance of such payment shall continue as the obligation of the grantee to the City until it is paid.
(e) 
Replenishment. No later than 30 days after mailing of notification to the grantee by certified mail, return receipt requested, of a withdrawal under the security fund, the grantee shall deliver to the City for deposit in the security fund an amount equal to the amount so withdrawn. Failure to make timely delivery of such amount to the City shall constitute a material violation of the franchise.
(f) 
Disposition. Upon termination of the franchise under conditions other than those stipulating forfeiture of the security fund, the balance then remaining in the security fund shall be withdrawn by the City and paid to the grantee within 90 days of such termination, provided that there is then no outstanding default on the part of the grantee.
(g) 
Grantor rights. The rights reserved to the City with respect to Sections 23-5, 23-6 and 23-7 hereof are in addition to all other rights of the City, whether reserved by this chapter or authorized by other law or franchise agreement, and no action, proceeding, or exercise of a right with respect to such section shall affect any other right the City may have.
[Ord. of 4-5-1999]
(a) 
Available remedies. In addition to any other remedies available at law or equity, the City may pursue the following remedies in the event a grantee or any other person violates this chapter, its franchise agreement, or applicable state or federal law:
(1) 
Seek a determination from the Maine District Court that a provision of this chapter has been violated. If such a violation is found to exist by the court the minimum fine imposed shall be $50 and the maximum fine imposed per violation shall be $250. Each day the violation is found to exist shall constitute a separate violation for which the above-indicated fine shall be assessed. Any violation found to exist on the day of trial shall be found, at a minimum, to have existed from the filing date of the complaint until the day of trial and the fine assessed accordingly, unless grantee affirmatively proves that said violation did not exist during any part of or all of the aforementioned time period. If the grantee is found by the court to have been adjudicated in violation of any provision of this chapter on more than one occasion within two years, whether or not a violation of the same provision of this chapter, the minimum fine per violation shall be $100 and the maximum fine per violation shall be $500.
(2) 
Seek legal or equitable relief from any court of competent jurisdiction.
(3) 
Apply any remedy provided for in a franchise agreement, including enforcing provisions, if any.
(b) 
Revocation or termination of franchise:
(1) 
City right to revoke franchise. The City shall have the right to revoke the franchise for a grantee's substantial failure to construct or operate the cable system as required by this chapter or a franchise agreement, for defrauding or attempting to defraud the City or subscribers, if the grantee is declared bankrupt, or for any other material violation of this chapter or material breach of a franchise agreement. To invoke the provisions of the article, the City shall give the grantee written notice of the default in its performance. If within 30 calendar days following such written notice from the City to the grantee, the grantee has not taken corrective action or corrective action is not being actively and expeditiously pursued to the satisfaction of the City, the City may give written notice to the grantee of its intent to revoke the franchise, stating its reasons; provided that no opportunity to cure shall be provided where the grantee has defrauded or attempted to defraud the City or its subscribers, or in the event the grantee is declared bankrupt. In the case of a fraud or attempted fraud, the franchise may be revoked after the hearing required under subsection (b)(2); revocation for bankruptcy shall be governed by subsection (b)(3).
(2) 
Public hearing. Prior to revoking a franchise, the City shall hold a public hearing, on 30 calendar days' notice, at which time the grantee and the public shall be given an opportunity to be heard. Following the public hearing, the City may determine to revoke the franchise based on the information presented at the hearing, and other information of record. If the City determines to revoke a franchise, it shall issue a written decision setting forth the reasons for its decision. A copy of such decision shall be transmitted to the grantee.
(3) 
Revocation after assignment for benefit of creditors or appointment of receiver or trustee. To the extent provided by law, and franchise may, at the option of the City following a public hearing, be revoked 120 calendar days after an assignment for the benefit of creditors or the appointment of a receiver or trustee to take over the business of the grantee, whether in a receivership, reorganization, bankruptcy assignment for the benefit of creditors, or other action or proceeding, unless within that 120-day period:
a. 
Such assignment, receivership, or trusteeship has been vacated; or
b. 
Such assignee, receiver, or trustee has fully complied with the terms and conditions of this chapter and a franchise agreement and has executed an agreement, approved by a court of competent jurisdiction, assuming and agreeing to be bound by the terms and conditions of this chapter and a franchise agreement, and such other conditions as may be established or as are required under § 23-13 of this chapter.
c. 
In the event of foreclosure or other judicial sale of any of the facilities, equipment, or property of a grantee, the City may revoke the franchise, following a public hearing before the City, by serving notice on the grantee and the successful bidder at the sale, in which event the franchise and all rights and privileges of the franchise will be revoked and will terminate 30 calendar days after serving such notice, unless the City has approved the transfer of the franchise to the successful bidder, and the successful bidder has covenanted and agreed with the City to assume and be bound by the terms and conditions of the franchise agreement and this chapter, and such other conditions as may be established or as are required pursuant to § 23-9 of this chapter.
(4) 
Procedures on revocation, abandonment, and termination. If the City revokes a franchise, or if for any other reason a grantee abandons, terminates, or fails to operate or maintain service to its subscribers, the following procedures and rights are effective:
a. 
The City may require the former grantee to remove its facilities and equipment located in the public rights-of-way and on public premises at the former grantee's expense. If the former grantee fails to do so within a reasonable period of time, the City may have the removal done at the former grantee's and/or surety's expense. The foregoing provisions shall not apply if, within three months after expiration, termination or revocation of the franchise, the grantee obtains certification from the FCC to operate an open video system or any other federal or state certification to provide telecommunications services.
b. 
In the event of revocation, the City, by order, may acquire ownership of the cable system at not less than fair market value, determined on the basis of the cable system valued as a going concern, but with no value allocated to the franchise itself, as specified at 47 U.S.C. § 547(a)(1).
c. 
If a cable system is abandoned by a grantee or the franchise otherwise terminates, the ownership of all portions of the cable system in the public rights-of-way shall revert to the City and the City may sell, assign or transfer all or part of the assets of the system. If a grantee abandons a portion of its system, the ownership of the abandoned portions of the cable system in the public rights-of-way shall revert to the City and the City may sell, assign or transfer the abandoned facilities. A cable system or portion thereof shall be deemed "abandoned" if a grantee (i) gives the City written notice of its decision to abandon the system or the portion in question; or (ii) fails to provide cable service to subscribers served by the system or the relevant portion thereof on a continuous basis for a period of 30 days or more.
(5) 
Forfeiture for failure to comply with franchise obligation. Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter other than the force majeure clause of Subsection 23-17(b), where the City has issued a franchise specifically conditioned in the franchise agreement on the completion of construction, system upgrade, or other specific obligation by a specified date, failure of the grantee to complete such construction or upgrade, or to comply with such other specific obligations as required, will result in the automatic forfeiture of the franchise without further action by the City where it is so provided in the franchise agreement, unless the City, at its discretion and for good cause demonstrated by the grantee, grants an extension of time.
(c) 
Obligation of compliance. The City's exercise of one remedy or a grantee's payment of liquidated damages or penalties shall not relieve a grantee of its obligations to comply with its franchise. In addition, the City may exercise any rights it has at law or equity.
(d) 
Relation to insurance and indemnity requirements. Recovery by the City of any amounts under insurance, the performance bond, the security fund or letter of credit, or otherwise does not limit a grantee's duty to indemnify the City in any way; nor shall such recovery relieve a grantee of its obligations under franchise, limit the amounts owed to the City, or in any respect prevent the City from exercising any other right or remedy it may have; provided that this section shall not be interpreted as permitting the City to recover twice for the same damage. In addition, any civil fine imposed pursuant to Subsection 23-8(a)(1) or other applicable law shall not be treated as a recovery for purposes of this section.
[Ord. of 4-5-1999]
(a) 
City approved required. No transfer shall occur without prior approval of the City; provided, however, that no such approval shall be required for transfers resulting from the transfer of ownership interests between existing holders of ownership interests in a grantee, where such holders were also holders of ownership interests in the grantee at the time of the original grant of the franchise to the grantee.
(b) 
Application. An application for a transfer shall provide complete information on the proposed transaction, including details on the legal, financial, technical, and other qualifications of the transferee, and on the potential impact of the transfer on subscriber rates and service. At a minimum, the information required under federal law and in Subsections 23-4(d)(1) — (4), 23-4(d)(9) — (11), 23-4(d)(13), and 23-4(d)(15) of this chapter shall be provided with respect to the proposed transferee.
(c) 
Determination by City. In making a determination as to whether to grant, deny, or grant subject to conditions an application for a transfer of a franchise, the City shall not unreasonably withhold its consent, but shall first consider (i) the legal, financial, and technical qualifications of the transferee to operate the system; (ii) whether the incumbent cable operator is in compliance with its franchise agreement and this chapter and, if not, the proposed transferee's commitment to cure such noncompliance; (iii) whether the transferee owns or controls any other cable system in the City, or whether operation by the transferee may eliminate or reduce competition in the delivery of cable service in the City; and (iv) whether operation by the transferee or approval of the transfer would adversely affect subscribers, the City's interest under this chapter, the franchise agreement, or other applicable law, or make it less likely that the future cable-related needs and interests of the community would be satisfied at a reasonable cost. The City reserves the right to review the purchase price of any transfer or assignment of a cable system. Any negotiated sale value which the City deems unreasonable will not be considered in the rate base for any subsequent request for rate increases, if permitted by applicable law.
(d) 
Transferee's agreement. No application for a transfer of a franchise shall be granted unless the transferee agrees in writing that it will abide by and accept all terms of this chapter and the franchise agreement, and that it will assume the obligations, liabilities, and responsibility for all acts and omissions, known and unknown, of the previous grantee under this chapter and the franchise agreement for all purposes, including renewal, unless the City, in its sole discretion, expressly waives this requirement in whole or in part.
(e) 
Approval does not constitute waiver. Approval by the City of a transfer of a franchise shall not constitute a waiver or release of any of the rights of the City under this chapter or a franchise agreement, whether arising before or after the date of the transfer.
(f) 
Processing fee. As a condition of considering a transfer, the City may impose a fee on the transferee to cover its estimated out-of-pocket expenses in considering the application for transfer of a franchise. Any amount collected in excess of the estimated amount shall be returned to the transferee.
[Ord. of 4-5-1999]
(a) 
Finding. The City finds that the public rights-of-way of the City, county, and state to be used by a grantee for the operation of a cable system are valuable public property acquired and maintained by the county, state, and City at great expense to the taxpayers. The City further finds that the grant of a franchise to use public rights-of-way is a valuable property right without which a grantee would be required to invest substantial capital.
(b) 
Payment to City. As compensation for use of the public rights-of-way and in light of the scope of any franchise, in addition to providing channels, facilities and other support for public, educational and governmental use of the cable system, a grantee shall pay the City a franchise fee. The amount of the fee shall be specified in a franchise agreement. The franchise fee shall be paid annually, provided that provisions for more frequent payments may be specified in a franchise agreement. At least once a year the grantee shall provide the City a report setting forth the total of gross revenues for the year or other period in question and identifying the amount of revenues attributable to each category of gross revenues received by the grantee, including non-subscribers receiving each category of cable service offered by the grantee.
(1) 
City right to request audit. The City shall have the right to retain an independent auditor to (i) audit the records of a grantee to verify the computation of amounts payable under this chapter or a franchise agreement; and (ii) recompute any amounts determined to be payable under this chapter or a franchise agreement, whether the records are held by the grantee, an affiliate, or any other entity that collects or receives funds related to the grantee's operation in the City, including, by way of illustration and not limitation, any entity that sells advertising on the grantee's behalf. The grantee shall be responsible for all costs associated with any such audit, including the auditor's fees, as a cost incidental to the enforcement of the franchise, and shall have no control over the identity or selection of the auditor. The City shall have sole discretion in selection the auditor and shall not be responsible for any costs associated with the audit. The City shall have the right to review the auditor's report and methodology including the right to obtain an explanation of all of the auditor's assumptions and calculations, and the right to challenge and request changes to any such assumptions and calculations. The City shall not, however, be permitted to obtain copies of documents received by the auditor, with the exception of documents voluntarily provided by the grantee to the City, or subject to copying by the City pursuant to Subsection 23-15(1). The grantee shall be responsible for providing all such records to the auditor, without regard to by whom they are held. The records shall be maintained for at least six years. Any additional amounts due to the City as a result of an audit shall be paid within 30 days following written notice to the grantee by the City of the underpayment, which notice shall include a copy of the audit report. The City may exercise its audit right no more frequently than once per year, and only upon written notice to the grantee.
(2) 
Maintenance of records. A grantee shall maintain its fiscal and financial records and have all relevant fiscal and financial records maintained by others on its behalf in such a manner as to enable the City to (i) determine the cost of assets of the grantee which are used in providing services within the City for purposes of assessing any personal property or other taxes and for purposes of verifying any filings that may be made in connection with any cost of service proceedings, and (ii) to determine gross revenues. For purposes of assessing state and local taxes, the cost of assets shall be determined in accordance with any applicable provision of state law. For purposes of any cost of service proceedings, and for purposes of assessing state and local taxes if state law does not provide a method, the cost of assets shall be determined in accordance with FCC rules pertaining to cost of service proceedings.
[Ord. of 4-5-1999]
(a) 
System construction schedule. Every franchise agreement shall specify the construction schedule that will apply to any required construction, upgrade, or rebuild of the cable system.
(b) 
Construction standards:
(1) 
Construction shall be in accordance with all applicable laws. The construction, operation, maintenance, and repair of a cable system shall be in accordance with all applicable sections of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, as amended, the National Electrical Safety Code, the National Electric Code, other applicable federal, state, or local laws and regulations that may apply to the operation, construction, maintenance, or repair of a cable system, including, without limitation, local zoning and construction codes, and laws and accepted industry practices, all as hereafter may be amended or adopted.
(2) 
Wires to cause minimum inconvenience. All wires, cable lines, and other transmission lines, equipment, and structures shall be installed and located to cause minimum interference with the rights and convenience of property owners.
(3) 
Installation of equipment to be of permanent nature. All installation of electronic equipment shall be of a permanent nature, using durable components.
(4) 
Antennae. Without limiting the foregoing, to the extent applicable, antennae and their supporting structures (towers) shall be painted, lighted, erected, and maintained in accordance with all applicable rules and regulations of the Federal Aviation Administration and all other applicable state or local laws, codes, and regulations, all as hereafter may be amended or adopted.
(5) 
Good engineering practices. Without limiting the foregoing, all of a grantee's plant and equipment, including, but not limited to, the antennae site, headend and distribution system, towers, house connections, structures, poles, wires, cable, coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, fixtures, and apparatuses shall be installed, located, erected, constructed, reconstructed, replaced, removed, repaired, maintained, and operated in accordance with good engineering practices, performed by experienced and properly trained maintenance and construction personnel so as not to endanger or interfere with improvements the City shall deem appropriate to make or to interfere in any manner with the public rights-of-way or legal rights of any property owner or to unnecessarily hinder or obstruct pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
(6) 
Safety practices. All safety practices required by law shall be used during construction, maintenance, and repair of a cable system. A grantee shall at all times employ ordinary care and shall install and maintain in use commonly accepted methods and devices preventing failures and accidents that are likely to cause damage, injury, or nuisance to the public.
(7) 
No interference with other utilities. A grantee shall not place facilities, equipment, or fixtures where they will interfere with any gas, electric, telephone, water, sewer, or other utility facilities, or obstruct or hinder in any manner the various utilities serving the residents of the City of their use of any public rights-of-way.
(8) 
Repair of rights-of-way. Any and all public rights-of-way, public property, or private property that is disturbed or damaged during the construction, repair, replacement, relocation, operation, maintenance, or construction of a system otherwise, including installation, repair, maintenance or replacement of a grantee's equipment shall be promptly repaired by the grantee.
(9) 
Removal of system due to conditions in rights-of-way. A grantee shall, by a time specified by the City, protect, support, temporarily disconnect, relocate, or remove any of its property when required by the City by reason of traffic conditions; public safety; public rights-of-way construction; public right-of-way maintenance or repair (including resurfacing or widening); change of public right-of-way grade; construction, installation or repair of sewers, drains, water pipes, power lines, signal lines, tracks, or any other type of government-owned communications system, public work or improvement or any government-owned utility; public right-of-way vacation; or for any other purpose where the convenience of the City would be served thereby; provided, however, that the grantee shall, in all such cases, have the privilege of abandoning any property in place.
(10) 
Removal by City due to emergency. In the event of an emergency, or where a cable system creates or is contributing to an imminent danger to health, safety, or property, the City may remove, relay, or relocate that cable system without prior notice.
(11) 
Raising or lowering wires to permit moving of buildings. A grantee shall, on the request of any person holding a building moving permit issued by the City, temporarily raise or lower its wires to permit the moving of buildings. The expense of such temporary removal or raising or lowering of wires shall be paid by the person requesting same, and the grantee shall have the authority to require such payment in advance, except in the case where the requesting person is the City, in which case no such payment shall be required. The grantee shall be given reasonable advance notice to arrange for such temporary wire changes, as provided in 35-A M.R.S.A. § 2516.
(12) 
Authority to trim trees. A grantee shall have the authority to trim trees that overhang a public right-of-way of the City so as to prevent the branches of such trees from coming in contact with the wires and cables of the grantee. At the option of the City, such trimming may be done by it or under the supervision, direction, and expense of the grantee.
(13) 
Use of existing utility facilities. A grantee shall use, with the owner's permission, existing underground conduits or overhead utility facilities whenever feasible and may not erect poles or support equipment in public rights-of-way without the express permission of the City. Copies of agreements for use of conduits or other facilities shall be filed with the City as required by a franchise agreement or upon City request.
(14) 
Undergrounding of cable. In public rights-of-way or other places where electrical and telephone utility wiring is located underground, either at the time of initial construction of a cable system or at any time thereafter, a grantee's cable system shall also be located underground. Between a public right-of-way and a subscriber's residence, a grantee's cable must be located underground if both electrical and telephone utility wiring are located underground. If either electric or telephone utility wiring is aerial, a grantee may install aerial cable except where a property owner or resident requests underground installation and agrees to bear the additional cost of such installation over and above the cost of aerial installation.
(15) 
City use of grantee's poles. The City shall have the right to install and maintain free of charge upon the poles owned by a grantee any wire and pole fixtures that do not unreasonably interfere with the cable system operations of the grantee.
(16) 
City approval of construction. Prior to erection of any owners' poles, or conduits or the construction, upgrade, or rebuild of a cable system authorized under this chapter, a grantee shall first submit to the City and other designated parties for approval a concise description of the cable system proposed to be erected or installed, including engineering drawings, if required, together with a map and plans indicating the proposed location of all such facilities. No erection or installation of any tower, pole, underground conduit, or fixture or any rebuilding or upgrading of a cable system shall be commenced by any person until the grantee has obtained all building permits, street operating permits or other approvals required by the City under any ordinance, regulation or procedure generally applicable to such activities.
(17) 
Contractors and subcontractors. Any contractor or subcontractor used for work or construction, installation, operation, maintenance, or repair of system equipment must be properly licensed under laws of the state and all applicable local ordinances. The grantee must ensure that contractors, subcontractors and all applicable local ordinances. The grantee must ensure that contractors, subcontractors and all employees who will perform work for it are trained and experienced. Each contractor and subcontractor must perform work in compliance with all applicable provision of law and a franchise agreement, and the grantee shall implement a quality control program to ensure that the work is so performed.
(c) 
Publicizing proposed construction work. A grantee shall publicize proposed construction work at least one week prior to commencement of that work by causing written notice of such construction work to be delivered to the City and by notifying those persons most likely to be affected by the work in at least two of the following ways: by telephone, in person, by mail, by distribution of flyers to residences, by publication in local newspapers, or in any other manner reasonably calculated to provide adequate notice.
(d) 
Continuity of service:
(1) 
Subscriber right. It is the right of all subscribers in a grantee's franchise area to receive all services that a grantee is then providing under the terms of a valid franchise as long as their financial and other obligations to the grantee are satisfies; provided, however, that to the extent a grantee's agreements with its programming providers prohibit the grantee from providing certain cable services to nonresidential subscribers, the grantee may exclude such services from its offerings to nonresidential subscribers.
(2) 
Assurance of continuous uninterrupted service. A grantee shall ensure that all subscribers receive continuous uninterrupted service. To this end, a grantee shall: (a) in the event of a sale or transfer of its franchise, cooperate with the City to assure an orderly transition from it to another grantee and take all steps necessary to maintain service to subscribers until the sale or transfer has been completed; (b) not abandon service to the entire City without having given 12 months' prior notice to the City; and (c) not abandon service to any portion of the City (excepting termination of service to individual subscribers as otherwise permitted) without having given six months' prior written notice to the City. Following such notice, the grantee shall continue to be obligated to comply with the terms and conditions of its franchise agreement and applicable laws and regulations and shall cooperate with the City to assure an orderly transition from it to another grantee.
(3) 
Abandonment of system. If a grantee abandons its system during the franchise term, or fails to operate its system in accordance with this section during any transition period, the City, at its option, may operate the system, designate another entity to operate the system temporarily until the grantee restores service under conditions acceptable to the City or until the franchise is revoked and a new grantee selected by the City is providing service, or obtain an injunction requiring the grantee to continue operations. If the City is required to operate or designate another entity to operate the cable system, the grantee shall reimburse the City or its designee for all reasonable costs and damages incurred that are in excess of the revenues from the cable system. In addition, any abandonment of a system shall be subject to all of the provisions of 30-A M.R.S.A. § 3008(3)(B).
(4) 
Injunctive relief. The City shall be entitled to injunctive relief under the preceding paragraph if:
a. 
The grantee fails to provide cable service in accordance with its franchise over a substantial portion of the franchise area for 96 consecutive hours, unless the City authorized a longer interruption of service or as permitted pursuant to the force majeure clause of Subsection 23-17(b); or
b. 
The grantee, for any period, willfully and without cause refuses to provide cable service in accordance with its franchise over a substantial portion of the franchise area.
[Ord. of 4-5-1999]
(a) 
In addition to satisfying such requirements as may be established through the application process, every cable system shall be subject to the following conditions, except as prohibited by federal law:
(1) 
Provision of service. Each franchise agreement shall contain a line extension policy that shall govern a grantee's obligation to extend service. Unless otherwise specified in a franchise agreement, after cable service has been established by activating trunk distribution cable for an area specified in a franchise agreement, a grantee shall provide cable service to any household requesting cable service within that area, including each multiple dwelling unit in that area, except for multiple dwelling units to which it cannot legally obtain access. In providing services to multiple dwelling units, a grantee shall comply with all applicable provisions of 14 M.R.S.A. § 6041.
(2) 
Full video service to municipal buildings; facilities and equipment. A franchise agreement may require a grantee to install, at no charge, at least one service outlet at all municipal buildings within the franchise area that can be reached by a standard drop, and may provide that the grantee shall charge only its time and material costs for any additional service outlets to such facilities. A franchise agreement may also require a grantee to provide basic cable service and the lowest tier of cable programming services to such buildings free of charge. Finally, a franchise agreement may provide that such service outlets shall be capable of providing the full range of non-cable electronic data and telecommunication services provided by a grantee, and may require other facilities and equipment and channel capacity in accordance with the Cable Act.
(3) 
Technical standards:
a. 
FFC standards. Any cable system within the City shall meet or exceed the technical standards set forth in 47 CFR 76.601 and other applicable technical standards, including any such standards as hereafter may be amended or adopted by the City in a manner consistent with federal law.
b. 
Facilities shall not interfere with others' signals or facilities. A grantee shall not design, install, or operate its facilities in a manner that will interfere with the signals of any broadcast station, the facilities of any public utility, the cable system of another grantee, or individual or master antennae used for receiving television or other broadcast signals.
(4) 
Proof of performance tests. At the times specified in a franchise agreement or as required by FCC rules, a grantee shall perform proof of performance tests, and such other tests as may be specified in a franchise agreement, designed to demonstrate compliance with this section, the franchise agreement, and FCC requirements. The grantee shall provide the results of proof of performance tests promptly to the City, upon the City's request. The City shall have the right to inspect the cable system during and after its construction to ensure compliance with this section, a franchise agreement, and applicable provisions of local, state and federal law, and may require the grantee to perform additional tests based on the City's investigation of cable system performance or on subscriber complaints.
[Ord. of 4-5-1999]
(a) 
Telephone and office availability:
(1) 
Office; hours of operation; telephone. Each grantee shall maintain an office at a location reasonably convenient to subscribers that shall be open at least 50 hours each week, including, during the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Saturday to allow subscribers to request service and conduct other business. Each grantee shall ensure that its office shall meet all applicable federal and state laws and regulations. Each grantee shall perform service calls, installations, and disconnects during at least the hours for which its office is open for business, provided that a grantee shall respond to outages 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Each grantee shall establish a publicly listed local toll-free telephone number, and shall either ensure that its telephone service has TTY and TDD capabilities, or contract with a third party to provide grantee with such services. The phone must be answered by customer service representatives at least during the hours for which the grantee's office is open for business, for the purpose of receiving requests for service, inquires, and complaints from subscribers; after those hours a grantee shall arrange for the phone to be answered so that customers can register complaints and report service problems on a twenty-four-hour per day, seven days a week basis, and so that the grantee can respond to service outages as required herein.
(2) 
Telephone answering time. The telephone answering time shall not exceed 30 seconds or four rings, and the time to transfer the call to a customer service representative (including hold time) shall not exceed an additional 30 seconds. This standard shall be met 90% of the time, measured quarterly. When the business office is closed, an answering machine or service capable of receiving and recording service complaints and inquiries shall be employed. The after-hours answering service shall comply with the some telephone answer time standard set forth in the subsection (1). If required by its franchise agreement, a grantee shall supply statistical data to verify it has met the standards set forth herein.
(3) 
Staff. A grantee must hire sufficient staff so that it can adequately respond to customer inquiries, complaints, and requests for service in its office, over the phone, and at the subscriber's residence.
(b) 
Scheduling work:
(1) 
Appointments. All appointments for service, installation, or disconnection shall be specified by date. Each grantee shall offer a choice of morning, afternoon, or all-day appointment opportunities. If at any time an installer or technician believes it impossible to make a scheduled appointment time, an attempt to contact the customer will be made prior to the time of appointment and the appointment rescheduled.
(2) 
Missed appointments. Subscribers who experience a missed installation appointment due to the fault of a grantee shall receive installation free of charge. If the installation was to have been provided free of charge, or for other appointments, the subscriber shall receive three months of the most widely subscribed to service tier free of charge, or a credit of $20, whichever is greater.
(3) 
Mobility-limited customers. With regard to mobility-limited customers, upon subscriber request, each grantee shall arrange for pickup and/or replacement of converters or other grantee equipment at the subscriber's address or by a satisfactory equivalent (such as the provision of a postage-prepaid mailer).
(4) 
Acknowledgment of and response to customer requests. Requests for service, repair, and maintenance must be acknowledged by a grantee within 24 hours, or prior to the end of the next business day, whichever is earlier. A grantee shall respond to all other inquires (except billing inquiries) within five business days of the inquiry or complaint. A grantee shall acknowledge receipt of billing inquiries within five days and provide a detailed response within 30 days.
(5) 
Completion of work. Repairs and maintenance for service interruptions and other repairs not requiring in-unit work must be initiated within 24 hours and must be completed within 62 hours. All other requests for service must be completed within three days from the date of the initial request, except installation requests, provided that a grantee shall complete the work in the shortest time possible where, for reasons beyond the grantee's control, the work could not be completed in those time periods even with the exercise of all due diligence; the failure of a grantee to hire sufficient stall or to properly train its staff shall not justify a grantee's failure to comply with this provision. Except as federal law requires, no charge shall be made to the subscriber for this service, except for the cost of repairs to the grantee's equipment or facility was damaged by a subscriber.
(6) 
Work standards. The standards of subsections (b)(4) and (b)(5) shall be met 95% of the time, measured on a quarterly basis.
(c) 
Notice to subscribers:
(1) 
Provisions of information to subscribers. A grantee shall provide each subscriber at the time cable service is installed, and at least annually thereafter, written instructions for placing a service call, filing a complaint, or requesting an adjustment. Each grantee shall also provide a notice informing subscribers of how to communicate their views and complaints to the cable company, the proper municipal official and the State Attorney General; stating the responsibility of the State Attorney General to receive consumer complaints concerning matters other than channel selection and rates; and stating the policy regarding and method by which subscribers may request rebates or pro rata credits as provided in this chapter or applicable federal or state law or regulation. In addition, a grantee shall provide each subscriber to its services a schedule of rates and charges, a copy of the service contract, delinquent subscriber disconnect and reconnect procedures, and description of any other of the grantee's policies in connection with its subscribers. Copies of these notices shall be provided to the City. A grantee shall provide the City and each subscriber at least 30 days' advance notice of any significant changes in any of the information required by this section.
(2) 
Disclosure of price terms. All grantee promotional materials, announcements, and advertising of residential cable services to subscribers and the general public, where price information is listed in any manner, shall clearly and accurately disclose price terms. In the case of pay-per-view or pay-per-event programming, all promotional materials must clearly and accurately disclose price terms and in that case of telephone orders, a grantee shall take appropriate steps to ensure that the customer service representatives clearly and accurately disclose price terms to potential customers in advance of taking the order.
(3) 
Public file. Each grantee shall maintain a public file containing all notices provided to subscribers under these customer service standards, as well as all written promotional offers made to subscribers by the grantee. Material in the file shall be retained for at least one year after the later of the date of mailing or public announcement of the information contained in a notice.
(4) 
Interruptions of service. A grantee may intentionally interrupt service on the cable system only for good cause and for the shortest time possible and, except in emergency situations, only after a minimum of 48 hours' prior notice to subscribers and the City of the anticipated service interruption; provided, however, that planned maintenance that does not required more than two hours' interruption of service and that occurs between the hours of 12:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. shall not require such notice to subscribers, and notice to the City may be given no less than 24 hours prior to the anticipated service interruption.
(d) 
Billing:
(1) 
Proration of first billing statement. A grantee's first billing statement after a new installation or service change shall be prorated as appropriate and shall reflect any security deposit.
(2) 
Itemization. A grantee's billing statement must itemize each category of service and equipment provided to the subscriber and state clearly the charge therefor.
(3) 
Payment due date. A grantee's billing statement must show a specific payment due date not earlier than 10 days after the date the statement is mailed. Any balance not received within 30 days after the due date may be assessed a late fee not exceeding 1 1/2 of 1% of the amount due. The late fee shall appear on the following month's billing statement.
(4) 
In person payments. A grantee must notify the subscriber that he or she can remit payment in person at the grantee's office in the greater Bangor area and inform the subscriber of the address of that office.
(5) 
No late fees for failure by grantee. Subscribers shall not be charged a late fee or otherwise penalized for any failure by a grantee, including failure to timely or correctly bill the subscriber, or failure to properly credit the subscriber for a payment timely made.
(6) 
Credit for lack or impairment of service. The account of any subscriber shall be credited a prorated share of the monthly charge for the service if said subscriber is without service or if service is substantially impaired for any reason for a period exceeding six hours during any twenty-four-hour period, except where it can be documented that a subscriber seeks a refund for an outage or impairment which that subscriber caused, or in the case of a planned outage occurring between the hours of 12:00 midnight and 6:00 a.m. of which the subscriber had prior notice.
(e) 
Disconnection/downgrades:
(1) 
Subscriber termination. A subscriber may terminate service at any time.
(2) 
Prompt disconnection or downgrade on request; charges. A grantee shall promptly disconnect or downgrade any subscriber who so requests from the grantee's cable system, unless the subscriber unreasonably hinders access by the grantee to equipment of the grantee or the subscriber's premise to which the grantee must have access to complete the requested disconnection. No period of notice prior to voluntary termination or downgrade of service may be required of subscribers by any grantee. No charge may be imposed for any voluntary disconnection, and downgrade charges must comply with the requirements of federal law. So long as the subscriber returns equipment necessary to receive a service within five business days of the disconnection, no charge may be imposed by any grantee for any cable services delivered after the date of the disconnect request.
(3) 
Subscriber return of equipment. A subscriber may be asked, but not required, to disconnect a grantee's equipment and return it to the business office; provided that if a subscriber requests that a grantee pick up the equipment, the subscriber shall provide reasonable access to the subscriber's premises to allow the grantee to retrieve the equipment.
(4) 
Refund of security deposit. Any security deposit and/or other funds due the subscriber shall be refunded on disconnected accounts after the converter has been recovered by the grantee. The refund process shall take a maximum of 30 days or the next billing cycle from the date disconnection was requested to the date the customer receives the refund.
(5) 
Disconnection for failure to pay fee. If a subscriber fails to pay a monthly subscriber or other fee or charge, a grantee may disconnect the subscriber's service outlet; however, such disconnection shall not be effected until at least 45 days after the due date of the monthly subscriber fee or other charge and, after 10 days' advance written notice of intent to disconnect is given to the subscriber in question. If the subscriber pays all amounts due, including late charges before the date scheduled for disconnection, the grantee shall not disconnect service. Subject to Subsection 23-13(e)(2), after disconnection, upon payment by the subscriber in full of all proper fees or charges, including the payment of the reconnection charge, if any, the grantee shall promptly reinstate service.
(6) 
Disconnection for damage to system or equipment. A grantee may immediately disconnect a subscriber if the subscriber is damaging or destroying the grantee's cable system or equipment. After disconnection, the grantee shall restore service after the subscriber provides adequate assurance that it has ceased the practices that led to disconnection, and paid all proper fees and charges, including reconnect fees, a reasonable security deposit, and amounts owed the grantee for damage to its cable system or equipment.
(7) 
Disconnection for signal leakage. A grantee may also disconnect a subscriber that causes signal leakage in excess of federal limits. It may do so after five days' written notice to the subscriber, if the subscriber fails to take steps to correct the problem. It may also do so without notice in the event of a danger to the public safety, provided that the grantee shall immediately notify the subscriber of the problem and, once the problem is corrected, reconnect the subscriber without charge.
(8) 
Removal of grantee property. Except as federal law may otherwise provide, if a subscriber the opportunity to acquire any wiring located on the premises that is the property of grantee at replacement cost. If the subscriber declines to purchase the wiring, the grantee must remove its property from the subscriber's premises within seven days. If a grantee fails to remove the wiring in that period, the grantee shall make no further attempt to remove the wiring or restrict its use.
(f) 
Changes in service. In addition to rights reserved by the City, subscribers shall have rights with respect to alterations in service. The grantee may not alter the service being provided to a class of subscribers (including by retiering, restructuring or otherwise) without the express permission of each subscriber, unless it complies with this section. At the time the grantee alters the service it provides to a class of subscribers, it must provide each subscriber 30 days' notice, explain the substance and full effect of the alteration, and provide the subscriber the right within the thirty-day period following notice to opt to receive any combination of services offered by grantee. Except as federal law otherwise provides, subscribers may not be required to pay any charge (other than properly noticed rates), including an upgrade or downgrade charge, in order to receive the services selected. No charge may be made for any service or product for which there is a separate charge that a subscriber has not affirmatively indicated it wishes to receive. Payment of the regular monthly bill does not in and of itself constitute such an affirmative indication.
(g) 
Deposits. A grantee may require a reasonable, non-discriminatory deposit on equipment provided to subscribers. Deposits shall be placed in an interest-bearing account, and the grantee shall return the deposit, plus interest earned to the date repayment is made to the subscriber. Interest will be calculated at the prevailing commercial savings rate on all late payments.
(h) 
Recording subscriber complaints. A grantee shall maintain a record of subscriber complaints in accordance with 30-A M.R.S.A. § 3010(4):
(1) 
Every franchisee shall keep a record or log of all written complaints received regarding quality of service, equipment malfunctions, billing procedure, employee attitude and similar matters. These records shall be maintained for a period of two years.
(2) 
The record shall contain the following information for each complaint received:
a. 
Date, time and nature of the complaint;
b. 
Name, address and telephone number of the person complaining;
c. 
Investigation of the complaint;
d. 
Manner and time of resolution of the complaint;
e. 
If the complaint regards equipment malfunction or the quality of reception, a report indicating corrective steps taken, with the nature of the problem stated; and
f. 
Consistent with subscriber privacy provisions contained in the Cable Act and applicable FCC regulations, every grantee shall make the logs or records of complaints available to any authorized agent of any franchising authority having a franchise with that grantee or any authorized agent of a municipality considering a franchise with that grantee upon request during normal business hours for on-site review.
(i) 
Remedies for violators. In addition to the remedies set forth elsewhere in this chapter and in the franchise agreement, subscribers shall have available the remedies provided by 30-A M.R.S.A. § 3010(7)
[Ord. of 4-5-1999]
(a) 
City may regulate rates. The City may regulate all rates and charges except to the extent it is prohibited from doing so by law, and no rate or charge may be imposed or increased without the prior approval of the City except such rates and charges that the City is prohibited from regulating. Subject to the foregoing, any change made without prior approval is an illegal change, and a grantee is prohibited from requesting or requiring a subscriber to pay an illegal rate as a condition of providing service. This section shall not be construed to mean that any grantee has consented or will consent to subject itself to rate regulation.
(b) 
Authority to adopt regulations. All rates that are subject to regulation by the City must be reasonable, the City may adopt such regulations, procedures, and standards as it deems necessary to implement rate regulation and may regulate rates by amendment to this chapter, by a separate resolution or ordinance, by amendment to a franchise agreement, or in any other lawful manner. This section shall not be construed to mean that any grantee has consented or will consent to subject itself to rate regulation.
(c) 
Rate change:
(1) 
Advance notice of rate changes. At least 30 days prior to implementing any increases in rates, or changes in channel positions, programming, or service terms or conditions, a grantee shall provide the City and each subscriber with written notice describing any such changes it plans to make and the proposed effective dates for the changes. A grantee shall not be required to provide 30 days' notice of rate decreases or temporary promotional offers that result in lower rates for subscribers, provided that it has given the City notice of such decreased and offers prior to implementation.
(2) 
Explanation of rate changes. In addition to the required notice, before it alters services or service terms or conditions, a grantee must provide a reasonably simple and clear written notice explaining the substance and full effect of the alteration, including the effect on rates and service options and the effect of the change on the use of other consumer electronic equipment. Such written notice shall be provided to the City at least 30 days, and to subscribers at least 30 days, before the change.
(3) 
Changes made without required notice invalid. Any change made without the required 30 days' notice shall be of no force or effect, and a grantee shall be obligated to refund any increased amount collected without the required 30 days' notice, and to restore service to the prior existing status, at least until the required notice is provided. This subsection shall not limit the right of a grantee to implement any rate decreases or temporary promotional offers that result in lower rates for subscribers immediately upon providing written notice of these rate changes to the City. This subsection shall not be interpreted to limit the City's right to exercise its rate regulation authority under Subsection 23-14(a) of this chapter, the availability of remedies under applicable laws or regulations, or rights under the customer service standards set forth in § 23-13 of this chapter.
[Ord. of 4-5-1999]
(a) 
Open books and records. The City shall have the right to inspect and copy at any time after reasonable notice during normal business hours at a grantee's local office, all materials and records of the grantee relevant to the City's management of the public rights-of-way and regulation of customer service and consumer affairs including all maps, plans, service complaint logs, performance test results, records of requests for service, computer records, codes, programs, and discs or other storage media and other like material which the City reasonably deems appropriate in order to monitor compliance with the terms of this chapter, a franchise agreement, or applicable law. A grantee shall make available to the City, to the best of its ability, the same types of materials which the City deems relevant and which are held by an affiliate, a cable operator of the cable system, and any contractor, subcontractor or any person holding any form of management contract for the cable system. The grantee is responsible for collecting, to the best of its ability, such requested information and producing it at its offices in the greater Bangor area, and as part of its application it must affirm that it can and will do so. The City shall preserve the confidentiality on proprietary business information of a grantee or another party provided to the City by the grantee, to the extent permissible under Maine law. To that end, the grantee shall clearly identify any proprietary business information that it believes to be entitled to confidential treatment, so that the City may establish appropriate safeguards against improper disclosure. The City shall also have the right to inspect at any time after reasonable notice during normal business hours at a grantee's local office all materials relevant to the financial condition of the grantee, including all books, records, receipts, contracts, financial statements, computer records, codes, programs, and discs or other storage media and other like material which the City reasonably deems appropriate in order to monitor compliance with the terms of this chapter, a franchise agreement, or applicable law. A grantee shall make available for inspection by the City, to the best of its ability, the same types of materials that the City deems relevant and that are held by an affiliate, a cable operator of the cable system, and any contractor, subcontractor or any person holding any form of management contract for the cable system. The grantee is responsible for collecting, to the best if its ability, such requested information and producing it at its offices in the greater Bangor area, and as part of its application it must affirm that it can and will do so. The City shall preserve the confidentiality of propriety business information of a grantee provided for inspection by the Maine law. To that end, the grantee shall clearly identify and proprietary business information that it believes to be entitled to confidential treatment, so that the City may establish appropriate safeguards against improper disclosure.
(b) 
Required reports. A grantee shall file the following with the City in a form acceptable to the City:
(1) 
Annual construction report. An annual report setting forth the physical miles of plant construction and plant in operation during the fiscal year shall be submitted to the City. Such report also shall contain any revisions to the system, "as built" maps filed with the City. The annual report shall be provided in February.
(2) 
Notices instituting civil or criminal proceedings. Any notice of deficiency, forfeiture, or other document issued by any state or federal agency instituting any investigation or civil or criminal proceeding regarding the cable system, the grantee, or any affiliate of the grantee, to the extent the same may affect or bear on operations in the City. A notice that an affiliate that has a management contract for the cable system was not in compliance with FCC EEO requirements would be deemed to affect or bear on operations in the City. This material shall be submitted to the City at the time it is filed or within five days of the date it is received.
(3) 
Bankruptcy declarations. Any request for protection under bankruptcy laws, or any judgment related to a declaration of bankruptcy by the grantee directly or indirectly. This material shall be submitted to the City at the time it is filed or within five days of the date it is received.
(c) 
Reports to be provided on request:
(1) 
Reports required by FCC. Upon the City's request, a grantee shall deliver to the City copies of all reports required by the FCC, including, but not limited to, any proof of performance tests and results, Equal Employment Opportunity reports, and all petitions, pleadings, notices, and applications regarding the cable system, or a group of cable systems of which the grantee's cable system is a part, submitted or received by the grantee, an affiliate, or any other person on the behalf of the grantee, either to or from the FCC, or any other federal or state regulatory commission or agency having jurisdiction over any matter affecting operation of the grantee's system, for the time period specified in the City's request.
(2) 
Financial reports. The City may request the following financial reports for the franchise area once per calendar year:
a. 
An ownership report, indicating all persons who at any time during the preceding year did control or benefit from an interest in the franchise of 5% or more.
b. 
An annual income statement showing subscriber revenue from each category of service and every source of non-subscriber revenue.
c. 
A currant annual statement of all capital expenditures, including the cost of construction and of equipment.
d. 
An annual list of officers and members of the board of directors of the grantee and any affiliates.
e. 
An organizational chart showing what corporations or partnerships with more than a 5% interest own the grantee, and the nature of that ownership interest (limited partner, general partner, preferred shareholder, etc.); and showing the same information for each corporation or partnership so identified and so on until the ultimate corporate and partnership interests are identified.
f. 
An annual report of each entity identified in Subsection 23-15(c)(2)e which issues an annual report.
(3) 
System and operational reports. The following system and operational reports shall be submitted annually upon request of the City:
a. 
An annual summary of the previous year's activities including, but not limited to, subscriber totals for each category of service offered, including number of pay units sold, new services offered, and the amount collected annually from other users of the system and the character and extent of the service rendered thereto.
b. 
An annual projection of system and service plans for the future.
(d) 
Additional reports. The grantee shall prepare and furnish to the City, at a time reasonably prescribed by the City, such additional reports with respect to its operation, affairs, transactions, or property as the City may reasonably deem necessary and appropriate to the performance of any of the rights, functions, or duties of the City in connection with this chapter or the franchise agreement.
(e) 
Records required:
(1) 
Records to be maintained. A grantee shall at all times maintain and shall deliver to the City upon request, the following records:
a. 
Records of all complaints maintained pursuant to Subsection 23-13(h).
b. 
A full and complete set of plans, records, and "as built" maps showing the exact location of all system equipment installed or in use in the City, exclusive of subscriber service drops.
c. 
Records of outages, indicating date, duration, area, and the estimated number of subscribers affected, type of outage, and cause.
d. 
Records of service calls for repair and maintenance indicating the date and time service was required, the date of acknowledgment and date and time service was scheduled (if it was scheduled), and the date and time service was provided, and (if different) the date and time the problem was solved.
e. 
Records of installation/reconnection and requests for service extension, indicating date of request, date of acknowledgment, and the date and time service was extended.
(2) 
Additional information. The City may request and a grantee shall promptly provide additional information, reports, records, and documents as may be reasonably required from time for the performance by the City of any its rights, functions, or duties in conversations with this chapter or a franchise agreement.
(f) 
Performance evaluation:
(1) 
City discretion to hold public sessions. The City may, at its discretion, hold scheduled performance evaluation sessions. All such evaluation sessions shall be open to the public.
(2) 
Announcement of sessions. All evaluation sessions shall be open to the public and announced in a newspaper of general circulation.
(3) 
Discussion topics. Topics that may be discussed at any scheduled or special evaluation session may include, but are not limited to, system performance and construction, grantee compliance with this chapter and a franchise agreement, customer service and complaint response, subscriber privacy, services provided, programming offered, service rate structures, if applicable, franchise fees, penalties, free or discounted services, applications of new technologies, judicial and FCC filings, and line extensions.
(4) 
Grantee cooperation. During the review and evaluation by the City, a grantee shall fully cooperate with the City and shall provide such information and documents as the City may need to reasonably perform its review.
(g) 
Voluminous materials. If the books, records, maps or plans, or other requested documents are too voluminous, or for security reasons cannot be copied and moved, then a grantee may request that the inspection take place at some other location, provided that (i) the grantee must make necessary arrangements for copying documents selected by the City after review; and (ii) the grantee must pay reasonable travel and additional copying expenses incurred by the City in inspecting those documents or having those documents inspected by its designee.
(h) 
Retention of records; relation to privacy rights. Each grantee shall take all steps required, if any, to ensure that it is able to provide the City all information which must be provided or may be requested under this chapter or a franchise agreement, including by providing appropriate subscriber privacy notices. Nothing in this section shall be read to require a grantee to violate 47 U.S.C. § 551. Each grantee shall be responsible for blacking out any data that federal law prevents it from providing to the City.
[Ord. of 4-5-1999]
(a) 
Discriminatory practices prohibited:
(1) 
Discrimination prohibited. A grantee shall not deny service, deny access, or otherwise discriminate against subscribers, programmers, or residents of the City on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, physical handicap, or on any other basis prohibited by federal or state law. This provision is not intended to require a grantee to provide any equipment or service free of charge to any subscriber, unless such equipment or service is provided free in a manner that discriminates among subscribers in a manner that is prohibited by state or federal law, or unless the provision of free equipment or service is required by state or federal law.
(2) 
Discrimination for exercise of right prohibited. A grantee shall not discriminate among persons or take any retaliatory action against a person because of that person's exercise or any right it may have under federal, state, or local law, nor may the grantee require a person to waive such rights as a condition of taking service.
(3) 
Differential rates based on subscriber income prohibited. A grantee shall not deny access or levy different rates and charges on the residents of any particular geographical area because of the income of the residents of that geographical area.
(4) 
Rate preferences prohibited. Except to the extent the City may not enforce such a requirement, a grantee is prohibited from discriminating in its rates or charges or from granting undue preferences to any subscriber, potential subscriber, or group of subscribers or potential subscribers; provided, however, that a grantee may offer temporary, bona fide promotional discounts in order to attract or maintain subscribers, so long as such discounts are offered on a non-discriminatory basis to similar classes of subscribers throughout the City; a grantee may offer discounts for the elderly, the handicapped, or the economically disadvantaged, and such other discounts as it is expressly entitled to provide under federal law, if such discounts are applied in a uniform and consistent manner; and a grantee may enter into bulk service agreements with multiple dwelling unit owners, if the rates under such agreements are established and applied in a uniform and consistent manner. A grantee shall comply at all times with all applicable federal, state, and City laws, and all executive and administrative orders relating to non-discrimination.
(b) 
Equal employment opportunity. A grantee shall not refuse to employ, discharge from employment, or discriminate against any person in compensation or in terms, conditions, or privileges of employment because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, or any other basis prohibited by federal or state law. A grantee shall comply with all federal, state, and local laws and regulations governing equal employment opportunities.
(c) 
Subscriber privacy:
(1) 
Grantee shall protect subscriber privacy. A grantee shall at all times protect the privacy of all subscribers pursuant to the provisions of Section 631 of the Cable Act, 47 U.S.C. § 3010 (6-A). A grantee shall not condition subscriber service on the subscriber's grant of permission to disclose information which, pursuant to federal or state law, cannot be disclosed without the subscriber's explicit consent.
(2) 
Selling subscriber information prohibited. Neither a grantee nor its agents or employees shall, without the prior and specific written authorization of the subscriber involved, sell or otherwise make available for commercial purposes the names, addresses, or telephone numbers of any subscriber or subscribers, or any information that identifies the individual viewing habits of any subscriber or subscribers.
[Ord. of 4-5-1999]
(a) 
Compliance with laws. A grantee shall comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations as they become effective, unless otherwise stated.
(b) 
Force majeure. A grantee shall not be deemed in default with provisions of its franchise where performance was rendered impossible by war or riots, civil disturbances, floods, or other natural catastrophes beyond the grantee's control, and a franchise shall not be revoked or a grantee penalized for such noncompliance, provided that the grantee takes immediate and diligent steps to bring itself back into compliance and to comply as soon as possible under the circumstances with its franchise without unduly endangering the health, safety, and integrity of the grantee's employees or property, or the health, safety, and integrity of the public, public rights-of-way, public property, or private property.
(c) 
Connections to system; use of antennae:
(1) 
Subscriber right to attach devices. Subscribers shall have the right to attach devices to a grantee's system to allow them to transmit signals or services for which they have paid to VCR's, receivers, and other terminals provided that such terminals are located within the subscriber's premises, and provided that such transmissions do not result in interference with the operations of grantee's system. Subscribers also shall have the right to use their own legally acquired remote control devices and tuners, and other similar equipment, and a grantee shall provide information to consumers which will allow them to adjust such devices so that they may be used with the grantee's system.
(2) 
Requiring disconnection of antennae prohibited. A grantee shall not, as a condition of providing service, require a subscriber or potential subscriber to remove any existing antenna, or disconnect an antenna except at the express direction of the subscriber or potential subscriber, or prohibit or discourage a subscriber form installing an antenna switch, provided that such equipment and installations are consistent with applicable codes.
(3) 
Calculation of time. Unless otherwise indicated, when the performance or doing of any act, duty, matter, or payment is required hereunder and a period of time or duration for the fulfillment of doing thereof is prescribed and is fixed herein, the time shall be computed so as to exclude the first and include the last day of the prescribed or fixed period of duration time.
(d) 
Severability. If any term, condition, or provision of this chapter shall, to any extent, be held to be invalid or unenforceable, the remainder hereof shall be valid in all other respects and continue to be effective. In the event of a subsequent change in applicable law so that the provision shall thereupon return to full force and effect without further action by the City and shall thereafter be binding on the grantee and the City.
(e) 
Captions. The captions and headings of this chapter are for convenience and reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning and interpretation of any provisions of this chapter.
(f) 
Repeal. [Former] Chapter 23, Ordinances of the City of Old Town, is hereby repealed, except that the repeal thereof shall not affect the validity of any franchise agreements issued pursuant thereto and except that said ordinance shall remain in full force and effect for the trial and punishment of all past violations thereof and for recovery of penalties already incurred.