A franchisee shall construct a cable television system that shall have not fewer than 24 video channels or an equivalent amount of band-width capacity, including any local origination franchisee-operated station which may also serve as the public access channel required by §
41-19 of this chapter.
The construction of trunk, feeder and drop cable may be constructed
overhead where utility poles now exist and electric or telephone lines, or
both, are now overhead, but where no overhead poles exist, all trunk, feeder
and drop cable shall be constructed underground. Where present overhead utility
poles, electric lines and telephone lines are moved from overhead to underground
placement, all cable television distribution system cables located above ground
within the affected area shall be similarly moved and located underground
at the same time, and the cost of the movement of the cable shall be solely
the obligation of the franchisee.
The franchisee shall design and construct the cable television system
to provide for an audio override of all channels simultaneously, except those
involved in retransmission of television broadcast programming, in case of
public emergencies.
Applicants for a franchise under this chapter will be required to submit
the cable system design as a part of the franchise application process. The
system design will be one of the factors evaluated during consideration of
any franchise awarded.
Nothing in this chapter shall be in the preference or hindrance to the
right of the City to perform any public works or public improvements of any
description, and should the system in any way interfere with the construction,
maintenance or repair of such public works or public improvements, a franchisee
shall, at its own cost and expense, protect or relocate its system, or part
thereof, as reasonably directed by the City.
The franchisee shall comply with all existing and future requirements
of the FCC or its successor's governing technical standards. The City
reserves the right to adopt its own technical standards when permitted to
do so.