§ 3-3-1805. MISCELLANEOUS POWERS AND DUTIES.

(a)

Powers.

(1)

For the proper and effective performance of its advisory functions, the Telecommunications Advisory Panel may request through the County Council:

(i)

The appearance of witnesses; and

(ii)

The production of testimony, exhibits, records, documents, and other items reasonably necessary for the performance of its duties.

(2)

A request under this subsection shall:

(i)

Provide reasonable notice of the time and place for compliance with and the purpose of the request; and

(ii)

Specify with reasonable certainty, the witnesses or items requested.

(b)

Duties. The Panel shall:

(1)

Subject to the approval of the County Council, adopt rules of procedure for the conduct of its meetings and hearings and necessary for the performance of its duties and functions;

(2)

Keep a record of all business transacted at its meetings and hearings;

(3)

Advise, assist, investigate, report on, review, and make recommendations to the County Council in connection with the following matters relating to cable franchisees and their operations established under Article 25 of the Code:

(i)

Customer service and consumer protection;

(ii)

Construction and installation of a cable system;

(iii)

Operational standards, including programming;

(iv)

Maintenance of a cable system;

(v)

Annual fees paid to the county;

(vi)

Improving or upgrading a cable system;

(vii)

Construction plans and timetable for construction and extension of a cable system;

(viii)

Financial reports of franchisees;

(ix)

Financial reports of applicants for a franchise;

(x)

FCC rules and regulations;

(xi)

Proposed rules and regulations relating to franchisees and applicants;

(xii)

Violations or alleged violations by a franchisee of federal, state, or county laws, ordinances, regulations, or orders, relating to a franchisee or its cable system, including provisions contained in the Code or FCC rules and regulations;

(xiii)

Use of public, educational, and government access channels;

(xiv)

Local origination programming;

(xv)

Subscription rates to customers; and

(xvi)

Other matters required by the County Council;

(4)

Endeavor to resolve disagreements among subscribers and public and private users of a cable system through nonbinding mediation;

(5)

Regulate subscriber rates as permitted by federal law and FCC regulations and, at least once every three years, calculate the per subscriber grant payment required to be paid to the county by any franchisee;

(6)

Advise the County Council periodically on rate regulation; and

(7)

Report to the County Council on all business transacted, all investigations, and all other matters as directed by the Council or as the Panel considers advisable.

(1988 Code, §§ 8-52, 8-55, 8-58) (Bill No. 134-97, §§ 1, 2, 12-15-1997; Bill No. 31-99, § 3, 7-1-2004; Bill No. 17-07, § 1, 3-16-2007)