[HISTORY: Adopted by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Neptune City 4-26-1976 by Ord. No. 76-3. Amended in its entirety 4-26-1993 by Ord. No. 1993-10. Amended in its entirety 9-22-2003 by Ord. No. 03-10. Further amendments noted where applicable.]
The governing body of the Borough of Neptune City (hereinafter referred to as the "borough") determined that Cablevision of Monmouth, Inc., (hereinafter referred to as "the Company" or "Cablevision") had the technical competence and general fitness to operate a cable television system in the borough, and by prior ordinance granted its municipal consent for Cablevision to obtain a nonexclusive franchise for the placement of facilities and the establishment of a cable television system in the borough.
By application for renewal consent filed with the borough and the office of Cable Television on or about July 26, 2002, Cablevision has sought a renewal of the franchise.
The borough having held public hearings has made due inquiry to review Cablevision's performance under the franchise, and to identify the borough's future cable-related needs and interests and has concluded that Cablevision has substantially complied with its obligations under the franchise and has committed to certain undertakings responsive to the borough's future cable-related needs and interests.
The governing body of the borough has accordingly concluded that the consent should be renewed subject to the requirements set forth below; and that, provided Cablevision's proposal for renewal complies with the requirements set forth below, the borough's municipal consent to the renewal of the franchise should be given.
For the purpose of this Ordinance the terms defined above shall have the meanings there indicated, and the following additional terms shall have the following meanings:
ACT OR CABLE TELEVISION ACT
That statute of the State of New Jersey relating to cable television, known as the Cable Television Act, N.J.S.A. 48:5A-1 et seq.
APPLICATION
Cablevision's application for Renewal of Municipal Consent, which application is on file in the Borough Clerk's office and is incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof, except as modified, changed, limited or altered by this Ordinance.
BOARD
The Board of Public Utilities of the State of New Jersey or its successor agency.
BOROUGH
The governing body of the Borough of Neptune in the county of Monmouth, and the State of New Jersey.
COMPANY
Cablevision of Monmouth, Inc. ("Cablevision") the grantee of rights under this ordinance.
FCC
The Federal Communications Commission.
FEDERAL ACT
That federal statute relating to cable communications commonly known as the Cable Communications Policy Act of 1984, 47 U.S.C. Section 521 et seq. and the Telecommunications Act of 1996, or as those statutes may be amended.
FEDERAL REGULATIONS
Those federal regulations relating to cable television services, 47 C.F.R. Section 76.1 et seq. (and, to the extent applicable, any other federal rules and regulations relating to cable television, including but not limited to, those described in 47 C.F.R. Section 76.3), or as such regulations may be amended.
STATE
The State of New Jersey.
STATE REGULATIONS
Those regulations of the State of New Jersey Board of Public Utilities relating to cable television. N.J.A.C. 14:17-1.1 et seq. and N.J.A.C. 14:18-1 et seq., or as such regulations may be amended.
A public hearing concerning the consent herein granted to Cablevision was held after proper public notice pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Act. Said hearing having been held and fully open to the public, and the municipality having received all comments regarding the qualifications of Cablevision to receive this consent, the borough hereby finds Cablevision possesses the necessary legal, technical, character, financial and other qualifications to support municipal consent, and that Cablevision's operating and construction arrangements are adequate and feasible.
The borough hereby grants to Cablevision its nonexclusive consent to place in, upon, along, across, above, over, and under its highways, streets, alleys, sidewalks, public ways, and public places in the municipality poles, wires, cables, and fixtures necessary for the maintenance and operation in the borough of a cable television system, and for the provision of any communication service over the such system as may be authorized by federal or state regulatory agencies. Operation and construction, pursuant to said consent, is conditioned upon prior approval of the Board of Public Utilities.
This consent granted herein shall be nonexclusive and shall be for a term of 10 years from the date of issuance of a certificate of approval by the Board.
If Cablevision seeks a renewal of the consent provided herein, it shall, prior to the expiration of this consent, apply for a municipal consent and certificate of approval in accordance with N.J.S.A. 48:5A-16, and applicable state and federal rules and regulations. The Company shall also petition the Board for approval authorizing continued operation during the period following expiration of the consent granted herein, and until such a time that a decision is made by the borough and the Board relative to the renewal of said consent.
The consent granted under this Ordinance to Cablevision shall apply to the entirety of the borough and any property hereafter annexed.
Cablevision shall be required to proffer video programming service along any public right-of-way to any person's residence located in the franchise territory at tariffed rates for standard and nonstandard installation.
Pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Cable Television Act, Cablevision shall pay to the borough, as an annual franchise fee, a sum equal to 2% of the actual gross revenues received from all recurring charges in the nature of subscription fees paid by subscribers for its cable television reception services in the borough. In the event applicable law hereinafter permits a larger franchise fee to be collected, but does not fix the amount thereof, the borough and Cablevision shall negotiate in good faith with respect to the amount thereof.
Cablevision shall, upon request, provide free of charge, one standard installation and monthly cable television reception service to all state or locally accredited public elementary and secondary schools and all municipal public libraries, as well as municipal buildings located within the borough as set forth in Exhibit A[1] to this Ordinance.
The Company shall provide to the borough, free of charge, one high-speed cable modem and monthly Internet access service, including a standard installation, to the Neptune Borough Community Center located at 117 Third Avenue, Neptune City Borough, NJ 07753. The borough shall be permitted, at its own cost, to network up to three additional personal computer terminals in the designated building (four computers in total) to the cable modem provided by the Company.
Cablevision shall provide, upon request, free of charge, one high-speed cable modem and monthly Internet access service, including a standard installation, to each state accredited public and private elementary and secondary school and the municipal public library within the borough.
[1]
Editor's Note: Exhibit A, referred to herein, is included as an attachment to this chapter.
Cablevision shall perform construction and installation of its plant and facilities in accordance with applicable state and federal law. The Company shall be subject to the following additional construction requirements with respect to the installation of its plant and facilities in the borough:
A. 
In the event that the company or its agents shall disturb any pavement, street surfaces, sidewalks, driveways or other surfaces, the Company shall at its sole expense restore and replace such disturbances in as good a condition as existed prior to the commencement of said work, as determined by the Borough's Engineer under the borough's generally applicable laws, rules and regulations.
B. 
If at any time during the period of this consent the municipality shall alter or change the grade of any street, alley or other way or place, the Company, upon reasonable notice by the borough shall remove or relocate its equipment, at its own expense.
C. 
Upon request of a person holding a building or moving permit issued by the borough, the Company shall temporarily move or remove appropriate parts of its facilities so as to permit the moving or erection of buildings or for the performance of other work. The expense of any such temporary removal or relocation shall be paid in advance to the Company by the person requesting the same. In such cases, the Company shall be given not less than 14 days' prior written notice in order to arrange for the changes required.
D. 
During the exercise of its rights and privileges under this consent, the Company shall have the authority to trim trees upon and overhanging streets, alleys, sidewalks and public places of the Borough so as to prevent the branches of such trees from coming in contact with the wires, cables, conduits and fixtures of the Company. Such trimming shall be only to the extent necessary to maintain proper clearance for the Company's facilities.
Cablevision shall comply with the technical and customer service standards established for the cable industry under applicable federal and state laws, rules and regulations.
Cablevision shall establish and maintain during the entire term of this consent a local area business office or agent for the purpose of receiving, investigating and resolving complaints regarding the quality of service, equipment malfunctions and similar matters. Said office shall be open daily during normal business hours, and in no event less than 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, with the exception of holidays.
The Office of Cable Television is hereby designated as the complaint officer for the borough pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S.A. 48:5A-26. All complaints shall be reviewed and processed in accordance with N.J.A.C. 14:17-6.5.
Cablevision agrees to maintain and keep in force and effect at its sole cost at all times during the term of this consent, sufficient liability insurance naming the borough as an additional insured and insuring against loss by any such claim, suit, judgment, execution or demand in the minimum amounts of $500,000 for bodily injury or death to one person, and $1,000,000 for bodily injury or death resulting from any one accident or occurrence stemming from or arising out of the Company's exercise of its rights hereunder.
Cablevision shall obtain and maintain, at its sole cost and expense, during the entire term of this Agreement, a bond in form acceptable to the municipality in the amount of $25,000. Such bond shall be to insure the faithful performance of its obligations as provided in this franchise.
A. 
The rates of the Company for cable television services shall be subject to regulation to the extent permitted by federal and state law.
B. 
Cablevision shall implement a senior citizen discount in the amount of 10% off the monthly rate of the broadcast basic level of cable television reception service to any person 62 years of age or older who subscribes to the Company's cable television service, subject to the following:
(1) 
Such discount shall only be available to eligible senior citizens who do not share the subscription with more than one person in the same household who is less than 62 years of age; and
(2) 
In accordance with N.J.S.A. 48:5A-11.2, subscribers seeking eligibility for the discount must meet the income and residence requirements of the Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled program pursuant to N.J.S.A. 30:4D-21; and
(3) 
The senior discount herein relates only to the broadcast basic level of cable television service, and shall not apply to any additional service, feature, or equipment offered by the Company, including any premium channel services and pay-per-view services; and,
(4) 
Senior citizens who subscribe to a level of cable television service beyond expanded basic service, including any premium or per channel a la carte service, shall not be eligible for the discount.
Cablevision shall be required to have the capability to override the audio portion of the system in order to permit the broadcasting of emergency messages by the borough pursuant to state and federal requirements. The Company shall in no way be held liable for any injury suffered by the borough or any other person, during an emergency, if for any reason the municipality is unable to make full use of the cable television system as contemplated herein. The borough shall utilize the state-approved procedures for such emergency uses.
In the event that another multi-channel video program provider's service within the borough creates a significant competitive disadvantage to Cablevision, the Company shall have the right to request from the borough lawful amendments to its franchise that relieve it of burdens which create the unfair competitive situation. Should the Company seek such amendments to its franchise, the parties agree to negotiate in good faith appropriate changes to the franchise in order to relieve the Company of such competitive disadvantages. If the parties can reach an agreement on such terms, the borough agrees to support the Company's petition to the Board for modification of the consent in accordance with N.J.S.A. 48:5A-47 and N.J.A.C. 14:17-6.7.
If the parties are unable to reach an agreement on appropriate amendments to the franchise, the borough acknowledges that the Company shall have the right to petition the Board directly for such amendments in accordance with N.J.S.A. 48:5A-47 and N.J.A.C. 14:17-6.7; provided, however, the borough shall be under no obligation to support Cablevision's request for such relief from the Board.
Cablevision represents and acknowledges that as of the date of its acceptance of this municipal consent, competition within the Borough has not yet risen to the level of creating a significant competitive disadvantage sufficient to enable the Company to seek relief under this section.
Upon expiration, termination or revocation of this Ordinance, Cablevision at its sole cost and expense and upon direction of the Board, shall remove the cables and appurtenant devices constructed or maintained in connection with the services authorized herein, unless Cablevision, its affiliated entities or assignees should, within six months after such expiration, termination or revocation obtain certification from the FCC to operate an open video system or any other federal or state certification to provide telecommunications.
A. 
Cablevision shall continue to make available noncommercial public, educational and governmental (PEG) access as described in the application for municipal consent.
B. 
The borough agrees that Cablevision shall retain the right to use the PEG access channel, or portion thereof, for non-PEG access programming, during times when the borough is not utilizing the channel for purposes of providing PEG access programming. In the event that the Company uses said PEG access channel for the presentation of such other programming, the PEG programming shall remain the priority use and the Company's rights with respect to using the channel for non-PEG programming shall be subordinate to the borough's provision of PEG access programming on such channel.
C. 
In consideration for the rights granted in this Ordinance, the Company shall provide the borough with a one-time grant of $10,000, which may be used by the borough for any cable and/or other telecommunications related purpose as the borough, in its discretion, may deem appropriate.
All of the commitments contained in the application and any amendment thereto submitted in writing to the borough by the Company except as modified herein, are binding upon Cablevision as terms and conditions of this consent. The application and any other written amendments thereto submitted by Cablevision in connection with this consent are incorporated in this Ordinance by reference and made a part hereof, except as specifically modified, changed, limited, or altered by this Ordinance, or to the extent that they conflict with state or federal law.
This consent shall be construed in a manner consistent with all applicable federal, state and local laws.
If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase, or portion of this Ordinance is for any reason held invalid or unconstitutional by any court of competent jurisdiction such portion shall be deemed a separate, distinct and independent provision, and such holding shall not affect the validity of the remaining portion thereof.
This Ordinance shall take effect upon issuance of a certificate of approval as issued by the Board of Public Utilities.