HomeMy WebLinkAboutordinance.council.064-83RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
100 Leaves
ORDINANCE NO. 64
(Series of 1983)
AN ORDINANCE ENACTING A CHAPTER 25 TO THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF THE
CITY OF ASPEN, COLORADO, PERTAINING TO THE ISSUANCE OF NON-EXCLU-
SIVE, REVOCABLE PERMITS FOR THE OPERATION OF CABLE TELEVISION SYS-
TEMS IN THE CITY OF ASPEN, COLORADO; SETTING FORTH CONDITIONS FOR
THE GRANTING OF SUCH PERMITS; PROVIDING FOR REGULATIONS AND USE OF
CABLE TELEVISION SYSTEMS; AND PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS
THEREOF
WHEREAS, the City Council has deemed it to be in the best
interests of the City of Aspen to establish conditions, criteria,
regulations and penalties with respect to the utilization of pub-
lic rights-of-way for cable television systems purposes; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has established a cable television
advisory committee which has held public hearings and has made
recommendations concerning conditions, criteria, regulations and
penalties pertaining to the use of the public rights-of-way for
cable television systems purposes; and
WHEREAS, having considered the recommendations of the cable
television advisory committee, the City Council desires to enact a
new Chapter 25 to the Municipal Code pertaining to cable televi-
sion systems, all as set forth below.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF ASPEN, COLORADO:
Section 1
That the Municipal Code of the City of Aspen, Colorado, is
hereby amended by adding a Chapter 25, which chapter shall read as
follows:
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
100 Leaves
"Chapter 25. CABLE TELEVISION SYSTEMS.
ARTICLE I.
GRANT OF NON-EXCLUSIVE REVOCABLE
PERMITS AND GENERAL PROVISIONS
Sec. 25-1. Title of Ordinance. This chapter shall be known
and may be cited as the "Aspen Cable Television System Ordin-
ance''.
Sec. 25-2. Definitions. For the purpose of this chapter,
certain words or phrases are defined as follows:
When not inconsistent with the context, words used in the
present tense include the future; words in the singular num-
ber include the plural; words in the plural number include
the singular; and the masculine includes the feminine. The
word "shall" is mandatory; the word "may" is permissive;
words not defined shall be given their common and ordinary
meaning.
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
Additional Subscriber Services (or "Additional Ser-
vice''). Any communication service, other than basic
service provided by a permittee to its subscribers,
directly or as a carrier for its subsidiaries, affili-
ates, or any other person engaged in communication ser-
vices, including, but not limited to, pay television
signals, data or other electronic intelligence transmis-
sion, meter reading, and home shopping.
(6)
Applicant. Any person applying for a permit to operate
a cable television system in the City of Aspen or for
approval when required by this chapter.
Application. Any application to operate a cable televi-
sion system in accordance with the provisions of this
chapter, including all written proposals, in whatever
form, made by an applicant or permittee to the city con-
cerning construction, maintenance, or any other matter
pertaining to the cable television system contemplated
or operating.
Basic Service. Subscriber services provided by a per-
mittee covered by regular monthly charge paid by all
subscribers. Basic service shall not include receipts
for installation fees, converter charges or taxes col-
lected upon the sale of various services, goods or addi-
tional services for which a separate charge is made.
City. When used in this chapter, the term "City" shall
mean The City of Aspen, Colorado, and shall encompass,
when appropriate, its officers and employees, including
the City Council and the designees of the City Council.
Cable Television System (or "CATV", "Cable System" or
"System"). A system of coaxial cables or other electri-
cal signals or conductors and reception and transmission
equipment used or to be used primarily to receive tele-
vision or radio signals directly or indirectly off-the-
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
100 Leaves
(7)
(8)
(9)
(lO)
(11)
(12)
(13)
(14)
(15)
air and transmit them and other electronic intelligence
services to and/or from subscribers for a fee.
Class IV Channel. A signaling path provided by a cable
television system to transmit signals of any type from a
subscriber terminal to another point in the cable tele-
vision system.
Community Channel. A specifically designated non-profit
radio or television channel maintained within any cable
television system for the use of educational and/or
governmental authorities, in addition to the general
public.
Converter. An electronic device capable of receiving
and converting any authorized signal from a cable tele-
vision system to an output frequency compatible with the
receiver of a subscriber.
Equipment and Apparatus. When used in this chapter, the
term "equipment and apparatus" shall mean and include
all manholes, underground conduits, poles, cables,
boxes, wires, fixtures, conductors, or other facilities
necessary, essential or used or useful to and operated
in connection with an authorized cable television sys-
tem.
FCC. The Federal Communications Commission of the
United States government or its lawful successor.
Fair Market Value. The price that a willing buyer under
no compulsion to buy would pay to a willing seller under
no compulsion to sell. Fair market value shall not
include a valuation of "good will" or of any right or
privilege under any permit issued pursuant to this chap-
ter.
Gross Revenues. Ail revenue derived directly or in-
directly by a permittee, its affiliates, subsidiaries,
parent or any person in which the permittee has an
ownership interest, from or in connection with the oper-
ation of a cable television system pursuant to this
chapter; provided, however, all revenues shall include
but not be limited to, basic subscriber service m~nthly
fees, pay cable fees, installation and reconnection
fees, leased channel fees, converter sales and rentals,
and advertising revenues; and provided further that this
shall not include any taxes on services furnished by
permittee imposed directly upon any subscriber or user
by any governmental entity and collected by permittee on
behalf of any governmental entity.
Installation. The
system from feeder
or converters.
connection of any cable television
lines to subscribers' receivers and/
Monitorinq. The observance of a communication signal or
the absence of a signal, where the observer is neither
the subscriber nor the programmer, whether the signal is
observed by visual or electronic means, for any purpose
whatsoever. Monitoring shall also include system-wide,
non-individually addressed sweeps of the system for pur-
3
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
100 Leaves
~6)
17)
poses of verifying system integrity, controlling return
path transmissions, or billing for pay services.
Permit. The non-exclusive, revocable right and fran-
chise to construct and operate a cable television system
along the Streets, alleys, rights-of-way and public ways
of the City.
Permit Area. That area within the boundaries of the
~ity.
18)
Permittee. Any person who has applied for and has
received a permit to operate a cable television system
within the City of Aspen pursuant to the requirements of
this chapter.
(19) Person. When used in this chapter the word "person"
shall include any individual, firm, partnership, associ-
ation, corporation, company or organization of any kind.
(20) Programmer. Any person who is or who produces or other-
wise provides program material for transmission by
audio, video, digital, or other signals, either live or
from recorded tapes, to subscribers by means of a cable
television system.
(21) Public Easement. When used in this chapter the term
"easement" shall be limited in meaning to those rights-
of-way owned by the City, the terms, conditions or
limitations upon which are not inconsistent with the
erection, construction or maintenance of a cable televi-
sion system, its structures or equipment.
(22) Public Way (or Public Ri~ht-of-Wa~). When used in this
chapter, the term "public way (or public right-of-way)
shall mean and include all public property easements,
sidewalks, streets, alleys, trails, and city-owned
utility poles.
(23) Return Signals. A signalling path provided by a cable
television system to transmit signals of any type from
a subscriber terminal to another point in the cable
television system, which may include "Class IV" chan-
nels as defined in this chapter.
Sec. 25-3. Grant of authority.
Any permit to operate a cable television system granted pur-
suant to the provisions of this chapter shall grant to the
permittee the right and privilege to erect, construct, oper-
ate and maintain in, upon, along, across, above, over and
under the streets, sidewalks, easements and dedications
including the right to attach to City-owned poles now in
existence and as may be created or established during the
term of the permit, poles, wires, cable, underground con-
duits, manholes and other television conductors and fixtures
necessary for the maintenance and operation of a cable tele-
vision system for the interception, sale, transmission and
distribution of television programs and other electronic
intelligence and the right to transmit the same to inhabi-
tants of the City.
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
lO0 Leaves
Sec. 25-4. Non-exclusive Revocable Permit. The rights
granted by permit in accordance with this chapter shall be
non-exclusive and revocable pursuant to its terms and the
City shall reserve the right to grant similar permits to such
other applicants as the City Council may deem to be in the
best interest of the City; provided, however, nothing in this
chapter shall be construed or deemed to require the granting
of additional cable television system permits if, in the
judgment of the City Council, such additional permits would
not be in the best interest of the City of Aspen and its
inhabitants.
See. 25-5. Acceptance and Term of Permit. Any permit and
the rights, privileges and authority granted pursuant thereto
shall become effective thirty (30) days after approval of the
electors of the City voting at a special or general election,
provided that within said thirty (30) day period the appli-
cant files with the City Clerk its unconditional acceptance
of and promise to comply with the provisions, terms and con-
ditions of this chapter and the granting of a permit as
approved by ordinance of the City Council and subsequently by
the electors. Acceptance and promise by applicant shall be
in writing duly executed and sworn to by the applicant before
a notary public or other officer authorized by law to admin-
ister oaths and shall contain a provision that the permit, by
its terms, shall be binding on the heirs, successors and
assigns of the applicant. All permits issued hereunder shall
be for a term of not more than fifteen (15) years.
Sec. 25-6. Fees.
For the reason that the streets and public rights-of-way to
be used in the operation of a cable television system are
valuable public properties acquired and maintained by the
City at great expense and that permission to use said streets
and rights-of-way is a valuable property right without which
any permittee would be required to invest substantial capital
in rights-of-way costs and acquisitions and because the City
will incur costs in regulating and administering any permit
issued in accordance with this chapter, compliance with the
following requirements with respect to fees shall be a pre-
requisite to the maintenance of a permit issued in accordance
with this chapter:
(a)
A permit fee shall be paid to the City by the permittee
in an amount equal to 2% of permittee's gross revenue
on an annual basis from all sources attributable to the
operations of the permittee within the boundaries of the
City.
(b)
The permit fee and any other costs assessed to permittee
shall be payable annually at the office of the Finance
Director. The permittee shall file a complete and accu-
rate verified statement of all gross revenue accruing as
a result of its operations within the City during the
permittee's preceding fiscal year, and said annual fees
and charges shall be paid to the City not later than
ninety (90) days from the close of permittee's preceding
fiscal year.
5
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
1 O0 Leaves
(c) The City shall have the right to inspect the permittee's
gross revenue records and the right to audit and to
recompute any amounts determined to be payable as
required by this chapter; provided, however, that such
audit covering any year shall take place within thirty-
six (36) months following the close of such fiscal year.
Any additional amount due to the City as a result of the
audit shall be paid within thirty (30) days following
written notice to the permittee by the City, which
notice shall include a copy of the audit report. The
cost of said audit shall be borne by the permittee if it
is properly determined by the City Council that the per-
mittee's annual payment to the City for the audited year
is increased by more than five percent (5%).
(d) In the event that any payment or recomputed amount, cost
or penalty, is not made on or before the dates said pay-
ments are due and payable, interest thereon shall accrue
and be charged from the date said payments are due, at a
rate of five percent (5%) above the prime interest rate
charged by the Central Bank of Denver, Denver, Colo-
rado during the period the payments are in arrears.
Sec. 25-7. Acknowledgement of Police Power. Acceptance of
any permit issued pursuant to this chapter shall constitute
an acknowledgement by the permittee, its heirs, successors
and assigns that its rights under its permit are subject to
the police power of the City to adopt and enforce general
ordinances necessary for the health, safety and welfare of
the public and an agreement that permittee shall comply with
all applicable general laws and ordinances enacted by the
City pursuant to such power as they may be amended from time
to time.
Any conflict between the provisions of any permit and any
other present or future lawful exercise of the City's police
powers shall be resolved in favor of the latter, except that
any such exercise that is not of general application or
applies exclusively to any cable television system which con-
tains provisions inconsistent with any permit shall prevail
only if upon such exercise the City finds an emergency exists
constituting a danger to health, safety, property or general
welfare or such exercise as mandated by law.
Sec. 25-8. Costs. Every applicant shall bear the costs
attributable to the issuance of a permit pursuant to this
chapter, including, but not limited to, all costs of publica-
tion of any ordinance specifically authorizing a permit, the
costs attributable to any special election scheduled solely
for the purpose of requiring approval by the electors of the
permit, the costs of all notices of any public meeting
required by this chapter, and the costs incurred by the City
in its study, preparation of permit documents, evaluation of
the application, and evaluation of the applicant's qualifica-
tions, not including permanent staff time.
Sec. 25-9. Notices. Ail notices from any permittee to the
City shall be made to the City Manager or such person desig-
nated in writing by the City Manager. Permittee shall main-
tain with the City, throughout the term of its permit, an
address for service of notices by mail. Permittee shall also
6
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
100 Leaves
maintain within the County of Pitkin a local office and tele-
phone number for the conduct of matters related to its permit
during normal business hours.
Sec. 25-10. Financial Guarantees. In order to insure the
faithful performance of all of the provisions of this chapter
and the provisions of any permit issued pursuant to this
chapter, all cable television system permits shall be condi-
tioned upon compliance with the provisions of this section
pertaining to financial guarantees:
(a)
Within ten (10) days after the award and voter approval
of any permit, the permittee shall deposit with the City
a letter of credit from a Colorado financial institution
in the amount of Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000), or
such lesser amount as the City Council may find, by
resolution, to reasonably and adequately insure faithful
performance by permittee. The form and content of such
letter of credit shall be approved in writing by the
City Attorney. The letter of credit shall be used to
insure the faithful performance of all of the provisions
of the permit, and compliance with all requirements of
this chapter, and orders, directions of any agency, com-
mission, board, department, division or office of the
City having jurisdiction over the acts or defaults of
permittee under the permit, and payment by the permittee
of any claims, liens and taxes due the City which arise
by reason of the construction, operation or maintenance
of the system.
(b)
(c)
The letter of credit shall be maintained at an equiva-
lent Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000), or such lesser
amount as may be determined by the City Council, indexed
to 1983 dollars during and continuing for the entire
term of the permit even if amounts have to be withdrawn
pursuant to the provisions of this section.
If the permittee fails to pay the City any compensation
within the time fixed herein or fails, after thirty (30)
days' notice to pay the City any taxes due unpaid; or
fails to repay the City within thirty (30) days any
damages, costs or expenses which the City is compelled
to pay by reason of any act or default of the permittee
in connection with the permit; or, fails, after ten (10)
days' notice by the City of such failure to comply with
any provision of the permit which the City reasonably
determines can be remedied by demand on letter of cre-
dit, the City Manager may immediately request payment of
the amount thereof from the letter of credit, together,
with interest and any penalties. Upon such request for
payment, the City shall notify the permittee of the
amount and date thereof. Permittee may appeal such
demands for payment to the City Council by submitting a
written request for appeal to the City Clerk within ten
(10) days after receipt of the demand.
(d)
Any rights reserved to the City with respect to the let-
ter of credit are in addition to all other rights of the
City, whether reserved by the permit or authorized by
law, and no action, proceeding or exercise of a right
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
100 Leaves
with respect to such letter of credit shall affect any
other right the City may have.
(e)
Ail letters of credit required by this section shall
contain the following endorsement:
"It is hereby understood and agreed that this letter of
credit may not be cancelled by the surety nor the inten-
tion not to renew be stated by the surety until sixty
(60) days after receipt by the City, by registered mail,
a written notice of such intention to cancel or not to
renew."
Sec. 25-11. Indemnification, Liability and Insurance.
In addition to all other requirements of this chapter, any
permit granted shall be conditioned upon full compliance with
the requirements of this section pertaining to indemnifica-
tion, liability and insurance:
(a)
Permittee shall indemnify and save harmless the City of
Aspen, its officers, employees, and agents against any
and all claims for damages to property or injuries to or
death of any person or persons, including property and
employees or agents of the City, its officers, employees
and agents, from any and all claims, costs, demands,
suits, actions or proceedings of any kind or nature
resulting from or arising out of permittee's operations
in connection with the permit, including operations of
subcontractors and acts or omissions of employees or
agents of the permittee.
(b)
Permittee shall pay and by its acceptance of a permit
shall thereby agree that it will pay all reasonable
expenses incurred by the City in defending itself with
regard to all damages and penalties mentioned in subsec-
tion (a) above. These expenses shall include all out-
of-pocket expenses, such as attorney's fees, and shall
also include the reasonable value of any services ren-
dered by the City Attorney or his assistants or any
employees of the City or its agents.
(c)
Permittee shall maintain and by its acceptance of a per-
mit shall specifically agree that it will maintain
throughout the term of the permit, liability insurance
insuring the City and the permittee with regard to all
damages mentioned in subsection (a) of this section, in
the minimum amount of not less than the limits of lia-
bility set forth in C.R.S. 24-10-114, as it may be
amended from time to time and at least in the following
amounts:
(1) $250,000 for property damage to any one person;
(2) $1,000,000 for property damage in any one acci-
dent;
(3) $500,000 for personal injury to any one person;
and
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
100 Leaves
(4) $1,000,000 for personal injury in any one acci-
dent.
(d)
Any insurance policy obtained by permittee in compliance
with this section must be approved in writing by the
City Attorney and such insurance policy, along with
written evidence of payment of required premiums, shall
be filed and maintained with the City Clerk during the
term of the permit, and may be required by the City to
be changed from time to time to reflect changing liabil-
ity limits. The permittee shall immediately advise the
City Clerk and City Attorney of any litigation that may
develop which would affect this insurance.
(e)
Neither the provisions of this section nor the payment
of any damages required by the City hereunder shall
limit or be construed to limit the liability of permit-
tee under any permit issued hereunder.
(f) Ail insurance policies maintained pursuant to this sec-
tion shall contain the following endorsement:
"It is hereby understood and agreed that this insurance
policy may not be cancelled by the surety nor the inten-
tion not to renew be stated by the surety until sixty
(60) days after receipt by the City, by registered mail,
a written notice of such intention to cancel or not to
renew."
Sec. 25-12. Rights of Individuals.
In addition to all other requirements of this chapter, any
permit granted shall be conditioned upon full compliance and
acknowledgement of the of the rights of individuals as
required by this section.
(a)
Permittee shall not deny service, deny access or other-
wise discriminate against subscribers, channel users, or
general citizens on the basis of race, color, religion,
national origin or sex. Permittee shall comply at all
times with applicable federal, state and local laws and
regulations, and all executive and administrative orders
relating to non-discrimination which shall be incor-
porated and made a part of any permit by reference.
(b)
Permittee shall strictly adhere to the equal employment
opportunity requirements of federal, state and local
regulations, as they may be amended from time to time.
(c)
No signals of a Class IV cable communications channel
shall be transmitted from a subscriber terminal for the
purpose of monitoring individual viewing patterns or
practices without the express written permission of the
subscriber. Requests for such permission shall be con-
tained in a separate document with a prominent statement
that the subscriber is authorizing the permission in
full knowledge of this section. The authorization shall
be revocable at any time, in writing, by the subscriber
without penalty of any kind whatsoever. Such authoriza-
tion is required for each type or classification of
Class IV cable communications activity planned for such
9
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
1 O0 Leaves
purpose, provided, however, that the permittee shall be
entitled to conduct system-wide or individually
addressed "sweeps" for the purpose of verifying system
integrity, controlling return-path transmission, or
billing for additional services.
(d)
It shall be unlawful for any person, including permittee
or any of its agents or employees, without the specific
written authorization of the subscriber involved, to
sell or otherwise make available to any party:
(1) A list of the names and addresses of a permittee's
subscribers, or
(2)
Any information which identifies the individual
viewing habits of subscribers, with the exception
of information pertaining to billing which shall be
used for billing purposes only.
Sec. 25-13. Selection of a Permittee.
Ail applications seeking a cable television system permit
shall address the various provisions of this chapter and
prior to being referred to the electors shall be evaluated
and approved by the City Council according to the following
general criteria:
(1)
Installation ~lan. Preference may be given to an
installation plan that would provide flexibility needed
to adjust to new developments, maintenance practices,
and services that would be available to the subscriber
and the community immediately and in the future. Pre-
ference may be given for total system construction in
the shortest time.
(2)
Rate schedule. Preference may be given to companies
with the most reasonable installation and subscriber
rate schedule.
(3)
Financial soundness and capability. The evidence of
financial ability required in any application shall be
such as to assure ability to complete the entire system
within the proposed schedule.
(4)
Demonstrated experience in operatin9 a cable television
system. Preference may be given upon evidence of the
applicant's experience in operating a cable television
system under any City franchise or permit, where such
evidence would show or tend to show or confirm the abil-
ity of the applicant to furnish sufficient and depend-
able service to the potential public and private users.
Prior to accepting any applicant and forwarding the same
to the voters for approval, a public fact-finding hear-
ing shall be held on the application and approval there-
of shall be by ordinance of the City Council. The deci-
sion to approve an application shall be at the discre-
tion of the City Council within the requirements of this
chapter. No permit shall be granted unless approved by
a majority vote of the electors of the City voting
thereon.
10
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
100 Leaves
Sec. 25-14. Permit area.
The requirements of this chapter shall apply to the present
territorial limits of the City and any area hereinafter added
during the period of any permit. The permittee shall be
required to extend service to all sections of the City as
corporate limits of the City now exist and shall be required
to extend service to all sections of the City annexed or
added to the City after the date of final passage of this
chapter, provided that there is a density in such area to be
served of not less than twenty (20) dwelling units per one-
quarter mile if underground installation is utilized, and not
less than fifteen (15) dwellings per one-quarter mile if
aerial installation is utilized.
Secs. 25-15 -- 25-20. Reserved.
ARTICLE II.
SYSTEM CONSTRUCTION, OPERATION, STANDARDS AND PROCEDURES.
Sec. 25-21. Construction map and schedule.
No construction shall occur unless the permittee obtains the
written approval of the City Engineer in accordance with the
following procedures:
(a)
Prior to any construction permittee shall submit a con-
struction plan. The construction plan shall consist of
a map of the entire permit area and clearly delineate
the following:
(1)
The areas within the permit area where the cable
television system will be available to subscribers.
(2)
Those areas within the permit area where extension
of the cable television system system could not
reasonably be constructed due to a lack of present
or planned development. These areas and the rea-
sons for not serving them must be clearly identi-
fied on the map.
(3)
By use of reference to specific areas describe the
construction timetable showing which areas will be
built and the date by which construction and system
activation will occur.
(b)
No permit for construction shall be issued until the
construction plan has been reviewed and approved by the
City Engineer. Any substantial changes in the construc-
tion schedule that involve delaying construction within
any area shall only be permitted pursuant to approval in
accordance with the application procedure of Section 25-
41. The City Manager is authorized to determine in
writing whether a change is substantial thereby requir-
ing approval in accordance with such application pro-
cedure.
(c)
Copies of the approved plan and any changes thereto
shall be filed with the office of the City Engineer and
a copy shall also be made available for public inspec-
tion during normal business hours at the permittee's
local office at permittee's expense.
11
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
100 Leaves
(d)
Nothing in this section shall prevent the permittee from
constructing the system earlier than planned. However,
no construction shall be permitted beyond the time
specified in the plan unless and until an application
therefor and consent has been obtained. Time period
extensions shall be granted upon a showing by the per-
mittee that there is good cause therefor, and the City
Council may attach reasonable conditions to assure per-
formance.
Sec. 25-22. System Construction.
Construction of the cable television system shall only occur
in accordance with the following requirements:
(a) Permittee shall comply with the construction plan in-
cluding the approved construction timetable.
(b)
In those sections of the City where cables, wires or
other like facilities of public utilities are placed
underground, the permittee shall place its cable, wires
or other like facilities underground to the maximum
extent permissible under existing technology. If at any
time the City determines that existing aboveground
wires, cables or other like facilities of public utili-
ties anywhere in the City shall be changed from an over-
head to an underground installation, permittee shall
also, at permittee's sole expense, convert its system to
underground installation. Permittee shall be obligated
to pay only those costs of construction or conversion
associated with the underground installation of
permittee's own equipment.
(c)
In any subdivision approved by the City after the effec-
tive date of this chapter in which telephone and elec-
trical utility lines are placed underground, permittee
shall execute with the subdivider a written purchase
order for the installation of such underground transmis-
sion and distribution of cable television services to
residents of the subdivision. Permittee shall not
charge a subdivider more than permittee's actual cost
for time and materials for the construction and instal-
lation of the underground facilities. The amount due
may be made payable to permittee sixty (60) days prior
to the date that cable television service is actually
made available to the lots (if undeveloped) or dwelling
units in the subdivision.
(d)
Necessary excavation permits shall be obtained from the
City for the installation of all underground lines and
appurtenances installed in any City right-of-way. All
underground installations shall comply with the require-
ments of construction and excavation within public
rights-of-way required by the Municipal Code. Plants
and shrubbery shall be restored or replaced to as near
original state as possible.
(e) Underground installation of distribution lines shall
initially be at a minimum of twelve (12) inch depth.
12
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
100 Leaves
(f)
(g)
(h)
(i)
(j)
(k)
(1)
(m)
(n)
Permittee shall respond to all requests for line loca-
tions within forty-eight (48) hours. If the permittee
fails to respond or fails to locate the line installed
by permittee the requesting party shall not be respons-
ible for damage that may result. Unless the lines are
properly located and marked by permittee in a timely
fashion, the party responsible for any subsequent damage
will not be responsible for the cost of necessary
repairs.
Whether service drops to subscribers are installed by
overhead or underground methods, no permanent service
drops shall be left lying exposed on the ground.
In areas of the City where electrical or telephone sys-
tems are installed on poles above the ground, the per-
mittee shall have the option of installing its system in
like manner above the ground or underground.
Permittee shall construct, install, operate and maintain
its system in a manner consistent with all laws, ordin-
ances, construction standards, governmental require-
ments, FCC technical standards and detailed standards
submitted by permittee. In addition, permittee shall
provide the City, upon request, with a written report of
the results of permittee's annual proof of performance
test conducted pursuant to FCC standards and require-
ments.
Whether performed on private property or public rights-
of-way, all construction, installation and maintenance
of permittee's cable television system shall be per-
formed in an orderly and workmanlike manner. All cables
and wires shall be installed, where possible, parallel
with electric and telephone lines. Multiple cable con-
figurations shall be arranged in parallel and bundled
with due respect for engineering consideratons.
The cable
fere with
mit area.
television system shall not endanger or inter-
the safety of persons or property in the per-
Any antenna structure used in permittee's cable televi-
sion system shall comply with construction, marking and
lighting of antenna structure required by the United
States Department of Transportation.
Incorporated within any cable television system shall be
a capability permitting the City in times of emergency
to override the audio portion of all channels simultane-
ously. Permittee shall also designate a channel which
will be used for emergency broadcasts of both audio and
video. Permittee shall cooperate with the City in the
use and operation of the emergency alert over its sys-
tem.
Ail necessary easements over and under private property
shall be arranged by the permittee. If permittee has
difficulty obtaining necessary easements, the City will
cooperate to assist permittee in obtaining necessary
easements through the use of the City's condemnation
13
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
100 Leaves
powers, to the extent permitted by law and at permit-
tee's expense.
(o)
No poles or other fixtures shall be placed where the
same will interfere with any gas, electric or telephone
facilities, traffic control signalization, street
lights, fire lines or communications lines or obstruct
or hinder in any manner the various utilities serving
the residents of the City. All such poles or other fix-
tures placed in any street, alley or public way shall be
placed as close as possible to the line of the lot
abutting thereupon, and in such manner as not to inter-
fere with the usual traffic on such streets, alleys and
public ways.
Sec. 25-23. Construction bond.
Within thirty (30) days after the award of any permit and
prior to construction, permittee shall obtain and maintain at
its own cost and expense, and file with the City Clerk, a
construction bond provided by a company authorized to do
business in the State of Colorado and in a form acceptable to
the City Attorney, in the amount of Five Hundred Thousand
Dollars ($500,000), or at such lesser amounts as the City
Council may by resolution find to be satisfactory, to guaran-
tee the timely construction, full activiation and proper
installation of permittee's cable television system. Such
bond shall satisfy the following requirements:
a)
There shall be recoverable by the City, jointly and
severally from the principal and surety, any and all
damages, loss or costs suffered by the City resulting
from the failure of the permittee to satisfactorily com-
plete and fully activate the system throughout the per-
mit area.
b)
The bond shall specify that any extension to the pre-
scribed construction time limit shall be authorized by
the City.
c)
The construction bond shall be terminated
City Council finds that the permittee has
completed construction and activation of
suant to the terms and conditions of this
its permit.
only after the
satisfactorily
its system pur-
chapter and
(d)
An acknowledgement shall be contained within the bond
that the rights reserved to the City with respect there-
to are in addition to all other rights of the City,
whether established and reserved pursuant to this chap-
ter or otherwise authorized by law, and no action, pro-
ceeding or exercise of any right with respect to such
construction bond shall affect any other rights the City
may have.
(e) The bond shall contain the following endorsement:
"It is hereby understood and agreed that this bond may
not be cancelled by the surety nor the intention not to
renew be stated by the surety until sixty (60) days
14
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
100 Leaves
after receipt by the City of Aspen,
a written notice of such intent to
renew."
by registered mail,
cancel or not to
Sec. 25-24. Use of streets and public rights-of-wa~.
In addition to all other requirements of this chapter, any
permit granted shall be conditioned upon full compliance with
the following requirements pertaining to use of streets and
public rights- of-way:
(a)
Interference with persons and improvements. Permittee's
system, poles, wires and appurtenances shall be located,
erected and maintained so that none of its facilities
shall endanger or interfere with the lives of persons or
interfere with any improvements the City may deem proper
to make, or unnecessarily hinder or obstruct the free
use of the streets, alleys, bridges, public easements or
public property.
(b)
Minimum interference with public ways. Ail transmission
and distribution structures, lines and equipment erected
by the permittee within the City shall be so located as
to cause minimum interference with the proper use of
streets, alleys, and other public ways and places and to
cause minimum interference with the rights or reasonable
convenience of property owners who adjoin any of the
said streets, alleys or other public ways and places.
(c)
Restoration to prior condition. In case of any distur-
bance by permittee to any public easement, pavement,
sidewalk, driveway, landscaping, street, alley, public
way or other surfacing, the permittee shall, at its own
cost and expense and in a manner approved by the City
Engineer, replace and restore such public easement,
paving, sidewalk, driveway or surface of any street,
alley or public way disturbed, in as good condition as
before said work was commenced in accordance with stan-
dards for such work set by the City Engineer.
(d)
Relocation of facilities. In the event that at any time
during the period of any permit the City shall lawfully
elect to alter, or change the grade of any street, alley
or other public ways, permittee, upon reasonable notice
by the City, shall remove or relocate as necessary its
poles, wires, cables, underground conduits, manholes and
other fixtures at its own expense.
(e)
Cooperation with building movers. Permittee shall, on
the request of any person holding a building moving per-
mit, issued by the City, temporarily raise or lower its
wires to permit the moving of buildings. The expense of
such temporary removal, raising or lowering of wires
shall be paid by the person requesting the same and per-
mittee shall have the authority to require such payment
in advance. Permittee shall be given not less than five
(5) days' advance notice to arrange for such temporary
wire changes.
(f) Tree trimming. Permittee shall have the same right as
may be reserved to the City, subject to the approval of
15
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
100 Leaves
the Director of Parks, to trim trees upon and overhang-
ing the streets, alleys, sidewalks, and public ways and
places of the City so as to prevent parts of such trees
from coming in contact with the equipment and apparatus
of permittee. Permittee shall undertake reasonable
efforts to notify the owner of any property upon which
the trees are located prior to undertaking such work.
At a minimum notice shall be posted on the nearest exit
door of any dwelling unit located on such property at
least twenty-four (24) hours prior to the commencement
of work. If the property is vacant, a reasonable effort
shall be made to locate the owner. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, in the event of any emergency or interference
with the transmission of signals through the system by
reason of a tree having contact with the equipment and
apparatus of the permittee, permittee shall be entitled
to trim the tree as necessary to prevent injuries, dam-
age to property or any person, including permittee or as
necessary to restore or insure continued transmission of
signals through the permittee's equipment.
Sec. 25-25. System maintenance standards.
In addition to all other requirements of this chapter, any
permit granted shall be conditioned upon compliance with the
following maintenance standards.
(a)
Ail parts of the system shall be maintained in good con-
dition throughout the entire permit area and during the
entire term of the permit. In this regard, permittee
shall agree to be bound by and comply with the following
requirements to assure continuity of service:
(1)
It shall be the right of all subscribers to con-
tinue receiving service insofar as their financial
and other obligations to the permittee are honored.
In the event that permittee elects to overbuild,
rebuild or modify the system, permittee shall act
so as to insure that all subscribers receive con-
tinuous, uninterrupted service, regardless of the
circumstances.
(2)
In the event that permittee fails to operate the
system for four (4) consecutive days without prior
approval of the City or without just cause, the
City may, at its option, operate the system and
receive the revenues therefrom or designate an
operator until such time as permittee restores
service under conditions acceptable to the City or
a permanent operator is selected. If the City is
required to fulfill this obligation for the permit-
tee, permittee shall reimburse the City for all
reasonable costs or damages in excess of revenues
from the system received by the City during the
course of its operation that are the result of per-
mittee's failure to perform.
(b)
Permittee shall render efficient service, make repairs
promptly, and interrupt service only for a good cause
and for the shortest time possible. Such interruptions,
16
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
100 Leaves
insofar as possible, shall be preceeded by notice and
shall occur during periods of minimum system use.
(c) The operation of the system shall not interfere with
television reception of persons not served by permittee.
(d)
Throughout the term of any permit, a cable television
system shall comply with the technical standards and
quality of service set forth in this chapter. Should
the City find that the permittee has failed to maintain
substantial compliance with the technical standards and
quality of service required by this chapter and the per-
mit, and should it specifically enumerate feasible cor-
rections to be made, permittee shall make such correc-
tions. Failure to make such corrections within three
(3) months shall constitute a material breach of condi-
tion by permittee.
(e)
RF leakage shall be checked at reception locations for
emergency radio services to prove no interference signal
combinations are possible. Stray radiation shall be
measured adjacent to any proposed aeronautical naviga-
tion radio sites to prove no interference to airborne
navigational reception and normal flight patterns. FCC
rules and regulations shall govern.
Sec. 25-26. Complaint procedure.
In addition to all other requirements of this chapter, any
permit granted shall be conditioned upon full compliance of
the requirements of this section pertaining to complaints
regarding the quality of service, equipment malfunctions, and
similar matters:
(a)
Permittee's office shall be open to receive inquiries or
complaints of subscribers during normal business hours,
Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The
office shall be reachable by local telephone call and
permittee shall provide the means to accept complaint
calls twenty-four (24) hours a day, seven (7) days a
week. Permittee shall designate an agent to receive
complaints and shall provide the City with such agent's
name, address and telephone number.
(b)
Any service complaints from subscribers shall be inves-
tigated and acted upon as soon as possible. All service
complaints shall be resolved within three (3) working
days.
(c)
Upon request by a subscriber, permittee shall credit a
subscriber's account on a pro rata basis for loss of
service commencing forty-eight (48) hours after notifi-
cation.
(d)
Permittee shall keep a maintenance service log which
will indicate the nature of each service complaint, the
date and time it was received, the disposition of said
complaint and the time and date thereof. The log shall
maintain complaints for a minimum period of two years
and shall be made available for periodic inspection by
the City.
17
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
100 Leaves
(e)
As subscribers are connected or reconnected to the sys-
tem, permittee shall, by appropriate means, such as a
card or brochure, furnish information concerning the
procedures for making inquiries or complaints including
the name, address and local telephone numbers of the
agent or agents designated by permittee to whom such
inquiries or complaints may be addressed and furnish
information concerning the City office responsible for
administration of the permit with the address and tele-
phone number of the office.
(f)
Where similar complaints are made, or where there exists
other evidence, which, in the judgment of the City,
casts doubt on the reliability or quality of service,
the City shall have the right and authority to require
permittee to test, analyze, and report on the perfor-
mance of the system. Permittee shall fully cooperate
with the City in performing such testing and shall pre-
pare the results in a report, if requested, within
thirty (30) days after notice. Such report shall
include the following information:
(1) The nature of the complaint or problem which pre-
cipitated the special test.
(2) What system component was tested.
(3) The equipment used and procedures employed in test-
ing.
(4) The method, if any, in which such complaint or
problem was resolved.
(5) Any other information pertinent to said test and
analysis which may be required.
The City may require that the test be supervised at per-
mittee's expense, by a professional engineer who is not
on permittee's permanent staff. The engineer shall sign
all records of special tests and forward to the City
such records with a report interpretting the results of
the test and recommending actions to be taken. The
City's rights hereunder shall be limited to requiring
tests, analyses, and reports covering specific subjects
and characteristics based on complaints and other evi-
dence when and under such circumstances as the City has
reasonable grounds to believe that the complaints or
other evidence require that tests be performed to pro-
tect the public against substandard service.
Sec. 25-27. Transfer of ownership or control.
In addition to all other requirements of
permit granted shall be conditioned upon
the following requirements pertaining to
ship or control:
this chapter, any
full compliance with
transfer of owner-
(a)
No permit shall be assigned or transferred, either in
whole or in part, leased, sublet or mortgaged in any
manner, nor shall title thereto, either legal or equit-
able, or any right, interest or property therein, passed
18
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
100 Leaves
to or vest in any person without the prior written con-
sent of the City Council. The proposed assignee must
demonstrate satisfactory financial responsibility as
determined by the City Council and must agree to comply
with all provisions of this chapter and other related
ordinances. The City Council shall be deemed to have
consented to a proposed transfer or assignment in the
event its refusal to consent is not communicated in
writing to permittee within sixty (60) days following
receipt of a written notice of the proposed transfer or
assignment.
(b)
The City shall be promptly notified of any actual or
proposed change in, or transfer of, or acquisition by
any other party of, control of the permit. The word
"control" as used herein is not limited to major stock-
holders but includes actual working control in whatever
manner exercised. Every change, transfer or acquisition
of control of the permit shall make the permittee sub-
ject to cancellation unless and until the City Council
shall have consented thereto, which consent shall not be
unreasonably withheld. For the purpose of determining
whether it shall consent to such change, transfer, or
acquisition of control, the City Council may inquire
into the qualification of the prospective controlling
party, and the permittee shall assist the City Council
in any such inquiry.
(c)
Assignee must acknowledge that consent or approval of
the City Council to any transfer of permittee shall not
constitute a waiver or release of the rights of the City
in and to the streets, and any transfer shall by its
terms, be expressly subordinate to the terms and condi-
tions of this chapter and any related ordinance.
(d)
In the absence of extraordinary circumstances, the City
Council will not approve any transfer or assignment of
any permit prior to substantial completion of construc-
tion of the proposed system.
Sec. 25-28. Availability of books and records.
As an additional condition to the grant of any permit, per-
mittee shall fully cooperate in making available at reason-
able times, and the City shall have the right to inspect the
complaint, maintenance and technical records, maps, plans and
other like materials of the permittee applicable to the sys-
tem at any time during normal business hours; provided where
volume and convenience necessitate, permittee may require
inspection to take place on permittee's premises. Addition-
ally, copies of all petitions, applications, communications
and reports submitted by the permittee to the Federal Commun-
ications Commission, Securities and Exchange Commission, or
any other federal or state regulatory commission or agency
having jurisdiction in respect to any matters affecting cable
television operations authorized pursuant to this chapter and
related ordinances shall be provided upon request.
19
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
100 Leaves
Sec. 25-29. State of the art.
As an additional condition to the grant of any permit, per-
mittee shall upgrade its facilities, equipment and service
so that its system is as advanced as the current state of
technology as reasonably determined by evaluation of the
permittee's system every two years by the City in accordance
with Section 25-42. Such evaluation shall consist of re-
viewing the current system and comparing it with systems,
excluding pilot or test services or systems, in other commu-
nities of comparable size and density and with comparable
demographic and competitive factors. Nothing herein shall
prevent the City from requesting that the permittee appear
at any time to discuss the state of art technology and make
informal suggestions as may be appropriate.
Sec. 25-30. System Design and Pro~rammin~.
Ail cable television systems operating within the City of
Aspen shall comply, at a minimum, with the following design
and programming requirements:
(a) The system shall be capable of bi-directional signals
and have 300 MHZ design.
(b)
The system shall be capable of operating independently
with complete off-air, headend, and satellite earth
station facilities.
(c)
The system shall be capable of providing thirty-five
(35) video channels, with twenty (20) channels immedi-
ately operational upon activation of the system. The
88-108 MHZ spectrum region shall be devoted to the dis-
tribution of FM/stereo and monaural audio programming.
(d) Permittee shall provide facilities and/or support for
the distribution through its distribution system, for
community channel access, at such time and at such a
level of financial support as shall be prescribed in
its approved permit. Such equipment and/or financial
support so specified shall be provided directly to the
City for allocation, in its sole discretion, for use in
providing community channel access.
(e) Two channels, or ten (10) percent of the systems' chan-
nel capacity, shall be provided for community channel
use. If the designated community channels are not
used, permittee may provide programming on channel or
channels not used, and programming may continue until
such time as commmunity channel access is approved by
the City.
Sec. 25-31. Permittee's services.
As an additional condition to the grant of any permit, all
cable television systems operating within the City shall
provide, at a minimum, the following services in accordance
with a schedule of reasonable rates prepared by permittee:
(a)
Standard installation consisting of an aerial drop, not
exceeding two hundred (200) feet from a distribution
line attachment to the customer's residence.
20
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
100 Leaves
(b) Concealed wiring and underground drops.
(c)
Permittee shall provide service to pre-wired projects
(subject to technical compatibility), shall review and
approve methods and materials, supply specifications,
technical assistance and material, and shall prewire all
projects upon request.
(d) Deposits for materials and services may be required and
collected.
(e) Additional outlets shall be provided as customers may
request.
(f) Service shall be transferred upon request.
(g)
Service shall be restored to customers wishing restora-
tion, provided such customer has satisfied any previous
obligations owed.
(h) Extensions or relocations of current customers' service
shall be made upon request.
(i) Permittee shall provide and maintain system repair ser-
vice to customer's premises to test and repair service.
Secs. 25-32 to 25-39. Reserved.
ARTICLE III.
ADMINISTRATION AND REGULATION
Sec. 25-40. Supplemental Rules and Regulations.
In addition to the powers of the City to regulate and control
cable television systems and those powers especially reserved
by the City and provided for herein, or in any permit issued
pursuant to the authority of this chapter, the right and
power is hereby reserved by the City to promulgate such addi-
tional and supplemental regulations as it shall find neces-
sary for the public health, safety and welfare, in the exer-
cise of its lawful powers and in furtherance of the terms and
conditions of any permit, whether such regulations are initi-
ated by the City or upon request by a permittee.
Sec. 25-41. Application procedure.
Except as provided in Section 25-21 regarding construction
approvals, all applications, including applications for a
cable television system permit, services, construction plans
and schedules, transfer of ownership, proposed changes in
regulations or ordinances, etc. shall be made and processed
according to the following procedure:
(a)
Applications shall be submitted to the City Manager in
written form and shall contain sufficient facts and
information for the City to act thereon, as may be
deemed necessary by the City. In the event an applica-
tion is deemed inadequate, rejection thereof shall be by
written notice which shall state the perceived deficien-
cies. Such notice shall not be construed to limit fur-
21
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
100 Leaves
ther and different difficiencies on subsequent applica-
tions.
(b)
The City Manager shall review all applications for ade-
quacy and shall, within fourteen (14) days of its sub-
mission, determine whether the application, if adequate,
is of such nature to require City Council rather than
City Manager approval. If the City Manager determines
that City Council approval is warranted under the cir-
cumstances of the application, he shall forward it to
the City Council or the City Council's designee for fur-
ther study and reporting as the City Council may deem
reasonably appropriate. To the extent practicable, such
study shall be completed within ten (10) days after the
initial presentation to the City Council at a regularly
scheduled meeting, and such initial period may be
extended an additional thirty (30) days upon the giving
of written notice to the applicant, or such longer
period of time as may be consented to by applicant.
During the study period, the applicant or the permittee,
as the case may be, shall fully cooperate with City
representatives in providing information and documents
related to and reasonably necessary for the proper
evaluation of the application. Failure to cooperate or
unreasonable delay in providing information and docu-
ments shall be grounds for a determination by the City
Council that the application is inadequate.
(c)
The City Council shall review the application and all
attendant studies, information and recommendations as
soon as is practicable after the completion of the
study. In the event a public hearing is deemed appro-
priate or is otherwise required, the City Council shall
schedule and notice a public hearing within thirty (30)
days after the completion of the study. If, in the
course of the public hearing, the City Council deter-
mines that additional information or documents are
necessary to adequately evaluate the application, it may
continue the hearing from time to time pending augmenta-
tion of the record. To the extent practicable, contin-
uances shall not exceed fifteen (15) days at a time. As
soon as practicable after the close of the public hear-
ing, the City Council shall either approve, approve with
modifications, or deny the application. The City Coun-
cil shall indicate the basis of its action for the
record and shall notify the applicant of its decision.
Reasonable conditions in furtherance of the purpose and
intent of the permit or application may be attached by
the City Council to an approval or modification.
(d) Any time limit hereinabove may be waived by consent of
the City Council and applicant.
Sec. 25-42. Performance evaluation sessions.
Performance evaluation sessions shall be held at a minimum of
every two (2) years from the granting of any cable television
system permit or anniversary date thereof, and the City Coun-
cil may direct that such evaluation sessions be conducted by
a Cable TV Advisory Committee. In addition, special evalua-
tion sessions may be held at any time during the term of the
22
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
100 Leaves
permit upon reasonable request of the City or permittee.
Evaluation sessions shall be open to the public and announced
in a newspaper of general circulation within the City at
least ten (10) days prior to the session and permittee shall
notify its subscribers of all evaluation sessions by
announcement on at least one (1) channel of its system
between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m., for five (5)
consecutive days preceding each session. Topics which may be
discussed at any session or special evaluation session may
include, but shall not be limited to, service rate struc-
tures, permit fee, penalties, free or discounted services,
community channel performance, allocation of channels for
community channel use, application of new technologies, sys-
tem performance, services provided, programming offered, cus-
tomer complaints, privacy, amendments to this chapter, judi-
cial and FCC rulings, line extension policies, and permit or
City rules. During a review and evaluation by the City, per-
mittee shall fully cooperate with the City and shall provide
such information and documents the City may need to reason-
ably perform its review. Any performance evaluation session
may be waived by the written consent of the City Council and
permittee.
Sec. 25-43. Monetary penalties.
In addition to all other remedies under this chapter or as
may otherwise be provided by law or the conditions of any
permit, the following penalties may be chargeable against the
permittee for a violation of any of the following provisions
of CATV permit:
(a)
The sum of Three Hundred Dollars ($300.00) per day for
failure to complete system construction in accordance
with the submitted plan, unless the City Council speci-
fically approves the delay, due to the occurrence of
conditions beyond permittee's control, payable per day
for each day, or part thereof, that the deficiency con-
tinues, as determined by the City Council.
(b)
The sum of One Hundred Fifty Dollars ($150.00) for
failure to provide information required pursuant to this
chapter or as may be required in a permit, per day for
each day, or part thereof, that the violation occurs or
continues, as may be determined by the City Council.
(c)
The sum of One Hundred Fifty Dollars ($150.00) for
failure to test, analyze and report on the performance
of the system within a reasonable time following a
request by the City pursuant to any permit, payable for
each day, or part thereof, that such non-compliance
continues as may be determined by the City Council.
(d)
The sum of Three Hundred Dollars ($300.00) for failure
of the permittee to comply with operational maintenance
standards within forty five (45) days following written
notice from the City determining that the permittee has
failed to comply with operational or maintenance stan-
dards, payable for each day, or part thereof, that such
noncompliance continues, as may be determined by the
City Council.
23
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
100 Leaves
Sec. 25-44. Forfeiture and termination.
In addition to all other remedies, rights and powers retained
by the City pursuant to this chapter, law, any permit or
otherwise, the City shall, as a condition to the granting of
a permit, reserve the right to forfeit and terminate any such
permit and all rights and privileges thereunder in the event
of a substantial breach of the terms and conditions of said
permit or the requirements of this chapter. A substantial
breach by permittee shall include, but shall not be limited
to, the following:
(1) Violation of any material provision of this chapter, the
provisions of a permit, or any material rule, order,
regulation or determination of the City made pursuant to
this chapter.
(2) Any attempt at evading or attempting to evade any mater-
ial provision of any permit or perpetrating or attempt-
ing to perpetrate any fraud, deceit or misrepresentation
upon the City or actual or potential subscribers or cus-
tomers of the cable television service.
(3) Failure to begin or complete system construction.
(4) Failure to provide the types of services required by any
permit.
(5)
Failure to restore service after ninety-six (96) con-
secutive hours of interrupted service, except when
approval of such interruption is obtained from the City
Council prior to or subsequent to such interruption.
(6) Material misrepresentation of fact in any application
pursuant to this chapter.
The foregoing shall not constitute a material breach if the
violation occurs without fault of the permittee or its
directors, officers or employees or occurs as a result of
circumstances beyond permittee's control. However, permittee
shall not be excused by mere economic hardship or by misfeas-
ance or malfeasance of its directors, officers or employees.
Sec. 25-45. Procedure for a forfeiture and termination.
In the event that permittee fails to comply with any provi-
sion, rule, order, or requirement or determination under or
pursuant to this chapter or its permit, the City Council may
direct that a written demand for compliance be served upon
the permittee by depositing a copy of the same in the United
States Mail by certified or registered mail addressed to per-
mittee at its local business office. If the violation is not
remedied within a period of thirty (30) days following such
written demand or without satisfactory proof that corrective
action is being actively and expeditiously pursued by permit-
tee, the City Council may schedule a hearing for the purpose
of taking action on the forfeiture and termination of the
permit. Written notice of the City Council's intent to
request such forfeiture and termination and setting forth the
time and place of the hearing shall be served upon permittee
and shall have been published in a newspaper of general cir-
24
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
100 Leaves
culation in the City at least fifteen (15) days prior to the
date of the hearing.
If based on the record adduced at the hearing the City Coun-
cil determines that there is substantial evidence that the
alleged violation was the responsibility or fault of permit-
tee and within permittee's control, the City Council may find
and declare the permit terminated and forfeited, or provide
an additional reasonable period for compliance. No oppor-
tunity for compliance shall be granted by the City Council in
the event of a finding of fraud or misrepresentation on the
part of permittee. The City Council shall again immediately
consider the issue of forfeiture and termination at the
expiration of the time set by it for compliance, at which
time the City Council may terminate the permit forthwith upon
a finding that permittee has failed to achieve compliance or,
in its sole discretion, may further extend said period for
compliance.
Sec. 25-46. Compliance with state and federal laws.
Notwithstanding any of the provisions of this chapter to the
contrary, permittee shall at all times comply with all appli-
cable laws and regulations of the state and federal govern-
ments or any administrative agencies thereof. Should any
such state or federal law or regulation require permittee to
perform any service, or shall purport to permit the perform-
ance of any service or purport to prohibit the performance of
any service, in conflict with the terms of this chapter or
any permit approved pursuant hereto or of any law or regula-
tion of the City, permittee shall, as soon as possible fol-
lowing the knowledge thereof, notify the City Attorney of the
point of conflict believed to exist between such regulation
or law and the laws or regulations of the City or this chap-
ter or approved system permit. The City Attorney shall, as
soon as practicable, refer such conflict to the City Council
and, if the City Council determines that a material provision
of this chapter is affected by any subsequent action of the
state or federal governments, the City Council shall have the
right to modify or amend any of the provisions of this chap-
ter or any permit to such reasonable extent as may be neces-
sary to carry out the full intent and purpose of this chap-
ter.
Secs. 25-47 to 25-49. Reserved.
ARTICLE IV.
CONDITIONS REGARDING TERMINATION, ASSIGNMENT OR
PUBLIC PURCHASE OF CATV SYSTEM
Sec. 25-50. Post-termination Period.
Any permit issued pursuant to this chapter shall be condi-
tioned upon and contain assurances that permittee shall com-
ply with the following requirements with regard to termina-
tion of permit by expiration or lack of extension so that
there will be no interruption of service:
(a) No later than fifteen (15) months prior to the expira-
tion of any permit, the permittee shall serve upon the
25
RECORD OF' PROCEEDINGS
100 Leaves
(b)
Sec.
City a notice of its intention to renew in accordance
with the procedures outlined in Section 25-53 or to
abandon the system upon termination. Should the permit-
tee indicate its intention to abandon the system the
City shall have the option, exercisable within three (3)
months prior to the expiration, to purchase the system
at its fair market value. In the event of dispute in
the matter, the question of fair market value may be
submitted to an independent arbitrator for binding
determination in conformance with the arbitration pro-
cedures of the American Arbitration Association and Rule
109 of the Colorado Rules of Civil Procedure. The
City's right to purchase as hereinabove provided shall
be assignable at the discretion of the City Council, and
upon notice of purchase, purchase or assignment of right
to purchase, permittee shall upon consummation of any
acquisition deliver the system to the City or its
assignee in good operating condition.
In the event that a permit is not extended or renewed or
the system is not purchased by the City as hereinabove
provided, permittee shall, at its own expense, remove
its system from the streets and public ways of the City
and the private property of subscribers within one
hundred eighty (180) days after the expiration of the
permit as set forth in Section 25-52.
25-51. Termination due to permittee's breach of permit
or because of revocation for breach.
Upon termination because of permittee's breach of any permit
or because of revocation for breach, the permittee:
(a)
Shall temporarily continue to operate the system for a
period of up to six (6) months, as may be determined in
the sole discretion of the City Council, so that there
is no interruption of service, and
(b)
May sell its system provided that the sale is expressly
conditioned upon the prospective purchaser applying for
and obtaining a permit in conformance with the require-
ments of this chapter; or
(c)
(d)
Shall sell its system to the City, its assignee, pro-
vided the City is willing to purchase the system for
fair market value in accordance with Section 25-50; or
Shall remove, at its own expense, its system from the
streets and ways of the City and the private property of
the subscribers within one hundred eighty (180) days
after the effective date of the revocation or termina-
tion, and shall forfeit the full value of its faithful
performance bond, provided the City is willing to allow
removal and accept forfeiture of the performance bond.
Sec. 25-52. Removal of the system.
In addition to requirements for the removal of the system as
provided in this article, permittee shall promptly, within
one hundred eighty (180) days, remove its system from public
ways and subscriber private property if the permittee fails
26
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
100 Leaves
or ceases to operate its system for a continuous period of
ninety (90) days. No notice or revocation proceedings shall
be required for this provision to become effective.
If permittee fails to remove all its properties from public
ways and subscriber private property within one hundred
eighty (180) days removal period, permittee shall forfeit its
faithful performance bond, and the City Council may declare
all such property of permittee abandoned, and all such pro-
perty shall become the property of the City, and the permit-
tee shall further agree to execute and deliver an instrument
in writing transferring its ownership interest in any such
property to the City.
Sec. 25-53. Procedures for renewal.
The following procedures shall be applied in the event of
permit renewal:
(a) Permittee shall inform the City in writing of its intent
to seek renewal at least fifteen (15) months prior to
the expiration of any permit and shall include therewith
its proposal for services in accordance with a renewed
permit.
(b) In addition to all of the requirements of this chapter
pertaining to permit applications, in cases of renewal,
the City Council shall also determine whether the per-
mittee has satisfactorily performed its obligations
under its permit. To determine satisfactory perform-
ance, the City Council shall consider technical develop-
ments and performance of the system, programming, other
services offered, cost of services, and any other parti-
cular requirement set forth in this chapter or the per-
mit, and the City Council shall also consider permit-
tee's proposal in its annual reports made to the City
and the FCC.
(c) In the course of making the determination required in
subsection (a) above, the City Council shall provide the
opportunity for public comment at at least one (1) pub-
lic hearing, notice of which shall be published in a
newspaper of general circulation at least ten (10) days
prior to the date of the hearing.
(d) The City shall make its determination with respect to
the permittee's eligibility for renewal within a period
of four (4) months from the date it receives notice of
intent to renew from permittee.
(e) If, based on permittee's performance during its permit
term, permittee's new proposal and the public hearing
held thereon, the City finds that a renewal of the per-
mit with permittee is in the public interest, the City
may enter into a renewal of the permit in accordance
with the provisions of the chapter, as it may be amended
from time to time.
(f) Notwithstanding the foregoing, no requests for renewal
shall be unreasonably denied.
27
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
100 Leaves
Section 2
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 portions thereof.
Section 3
A public hearing on the ordinance shall be
day of ~~L~i~ /~3~._~, 1983, at 5:00 P.M. in
the City Council Chambers, Aspen City Hall, Aspen, Colorado.
INTRODUCED, READ AND ORDERED published as provided by law by
held on the ~
the City Council of
the City of Aspen on the /~ day of
, 1983.
ATTEST:
Kathryn S.~K0ch, City Clerk
FINALLY adopted, passed and approved
this ~ day of
, 194-
William L. Stirling, May r~/
ATTEST:
Kathryn S./Koch, City Cler}~-~
28
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
100 Leaves
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter 25, Article I
Grant of Non-Exclusive Revocable
Permits and General Provisions ·
25-1
25-2
25-3
25-4
25-5
25-6
25-7
25-8
25-9
25-10
25-11
25-12
25-13
25-14
25-15 - 25-20
Title of Ordinance
Definitions
Grant of Authority ·
Non-exclusive Revocable Permit
Acceptance and Term of Permit
Fees
Acknowledgement of Police Power
Costs
Notices
Financial Guarantees
Indemnification, Liability and
Rights of Individuals
Selection of a Permittee
Permit Area
Reserved
Insurance
Chapter 25, Article II
System Construction, Operation,
Standards and Procedures
25-21
25-22
25-23
25-24
25-25
25-26
25-27
25-28
25-29
25-30
25-31
25-32 - 25-39
Construction Map and Schedule
System Construction
Construction Bond
Use of Streets and' Public'Rights-of-Way
System Maintenance Standards
Complaint Procedure
Transfer of Ownership or Control
Availability of Books and Records
State of the Art
System Design and Programming
Permittee's Services
Reserved
Chapter 25, Article III
Administration and Regulation
25-40
25-41
25-42
25-43
25-44
25-45
25-46
25-47
Supplemental Rules and Regulations
Application Procedure
Performance Evaluation Sessions
Monetary Penalties
Forfeiture and Termination
Procedure for a Forfeiture ~n~ ~e~m~n~t~on
Compliance with State and Federal Laws
- 25-49 Reserved .
Chapter 25, Article IV
Conditions Regarding Termination, Assignment
or Public Purchase of CATV System
25-50
25-51
25-52
25-53
Post-termination Period
Termination Due to Permittee's Breach of
Permit or Because of Revocation for Breach
Removal of the System
Procedures for Renewal
2
2
4
5
5
5
6
6
6
7
8
9
10
11
11
11
11
12
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
20
20
21
.21
21
21
22
23
24
24
25
25
25
· 25
· 26
26
· 27
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
100 Leaves
STATE OF COLORADO )
)
COUNTY OF PITKIN )
s s CERT I F I CATE
I, Kathryn S. Koch, City Clerk of Aspen, Colorado, do
hereby certify that the above and foregoing ordinance was'
introduced, read in full, and passed o
reading at a regular meeting of the City Council of the
City of Aspen on1 .~7~Fkc~4~ ~ , 19 ~ ,
and
published
in the Aspen Times a weekly newspaper of general circulation
published in the City of Aspen, Colorado, in its issue of
.~ ~ , 19 ~ , and was finally adopted
and approved at a regular meeting of the City Council on
~J~ ~ , 19 , and ordered published as
Ordinance No. ~ , Series of 19~ , of said City, as
provided by law.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and
the seal of said City of Aspen, Colorado this /~ day
~ Kathryn ~ Koch, C~ty Clerk
SEAL
Deputy City Clerk