§ 1-10-183. Operation of franchise; minimum service standards; programs presentation; delay of programs; preferential treatment.

(a)

General duties. Throughout the life of its franchise, a franchised cable operator shall:

(1)

Maintain all parts of its system in good condition and in accordance with standards generally observed by the cable television industry. Sufficient employees shall be retained to provide safe, adequate and prompt service for all of its facilities;

(2)

Permit the county to inspect and test the system's technical equipment and facilities upon reasonable (twelve (12) to twenty-four (24) hours) notice; and

(3)

Maintain a local telephone line which the subscribers may telephone without incurring the added message units or toll charges. The franchised cable operator shall at its own expense and at all times maintain and furnish telephone answering service and system maintenance service to subscribers both during and after regular business hours. In addition to having its telephone listed in the local telephone directory, the franchised cable operator shall advise each of its subscribers in writing of such a telephone number. When the cable television system reaches a level of service of two thousand five hundred (2,500) subscribers in the county, the franchised cable operator shall open and maintain a conveniently located business office and service center in the county for the use of such subscribers.

(b)

Preferential treatment. The franchised cable operator shall not, as to rates, charges, service, service facilities, rules, regulations or any other respect, make or grant any undue preference or advantage to any person or subject any person to any undue prejudice or disadvantage; provided, however, connection charges may be waived or modified during promotional campaigns of the franchised cable operator. Also, this provision shall not apply to bulk rate discounts which a franchised cable operator may choose to make available to residents of condominiums or apartment buildings or other residential locations where the number of residents reduces the costs incurred by the franchised cable operator.

(c)

FCC standards. With respect to technical requirements, the cable television system to be constructed by the franchised cable operator shall be installed, maintained and operated at all times in full compliance with technical standards of the FCC. The results of annual performance tests conducted in accordance with FCC rules shall be retained for a period in accordance with applicable law but not less than three (3) years and available for inspection by the county.

(d)

Map. Every franchised cable operator shall file annually with the county a current map showing the exact location of the transmission and distribution facilities and equipment in the county used by it in providing cable communication service.

(e)

Quality of service. The franchised cable operator shall render efficient service, make repairs promptly and interrupt service only for good cause and for the shortest time possible. Interruptions for system maintenance insofar as possible shall be preceded by notice and shall occur during periods of minimum use of the system.

(Ord. No. 97-023, § 1, 4-22-97)