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HomeMy WebLinkAbout760390.tiff WELD C(lJI 'TY Cr+<<,rcrr,m3 ip''?;'.__1,L_Lt._,__* k i JUN 1419 6 Id! anemia. cow, WELD COUNTY COLORADO GREELEY VIDEO REVISED FRANCHISE (PERMIT) 1976 7 60 39 0 Greeley Video hereby submits a revised Franchise, which meets or exceeds all requirements of the Federal Communications Commission standards , which must be met by March 31 , 1977. TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE ITEM 1. ORDINANCE IDENTIFICATION 2. SECTION 1 - TITLE SECTION 2 - PREA:13LE 3. SECTION 3 - DEFINITIONS 4. DEFINITIONS 5. SECTION 4 - GRANT OF AUTHORITY 6. SECTION 5 - POLICE POWER 7. SECTION 6 - INDEMNIFICATION 8. SECTION 7 - COMPLAINT PROCEDURE 9. SECTION 8 - CONSTRUCTION & VAINTENANCE 10. CONSTRUCTION & MAINTENANCE 11 . SECTION 9 - RATES 12. RATES 13. RATES 14. RATES 15. SECTION 10 - FCC RULES APPLICABLE 16. SECTION 11 - FRANCHISE TERM 17. SECTION 12 - RENEWAL PROCEDURE 18. RENEWAL PROCEDURE 19. SECTION 13 - FORFEITURE 20. SECTION 14 - SURRENDER RIGHT 21 . SECTION 15 - TRANSFERS 22. SECTION 16 - FRANCHISE FEE 23. SECTION 17 - RECEIVER SALES PROHIBITED 24. SECTION 18 - ACCEPTANCE 25. SECTION 19 - UNLAWFUL ACTS 26. SECTION 20 - SEVEPADILITY 27. SECTION 21 - EFFLCTIVE OAT: ORDINANCE NO. AN ORDINANCE GRANTING A REVISED FRANCHISE TO GREELEY VIDEO A [COLORADO] CORPORATION, ITS SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS, TO BUILD, CONSTRUCT, OPERATE AMD MAINTAIN A CABLE TELEVISION SYSTEM IN WELD COUNTY COLORADO AND SETTING FORTH CONDITIONS ACCOMPANYING THE GRANTING OF THIS FRANCHISE: -1- BE IT ORDAINED BY THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF WELD COUNTY, COLORADO SECTION 1 -- TITLE This Ordinance shall be known and may be cited as Greeley Video CABLE TELEVISION AUTHORITY. SECTION 2 -- PREAMBLE This Ordinance was passed after a full , open, and public hearing upon prior notice and opportunity of all interested parties to be heard and upon careful consideration of Greeley Video qualifications , including its legal , character, financial and technical qualifications , and the adequacy and feasibility of its construction arrangements. -2- SECTION 3 -- DEFINITIONS For the purpose of this Ordinance, and when not inconsistent with the context, words used herein in the present tense include the future; words in plural include the singular, and vice versa. The word "shall " is always mandatory. The captions supplied herein for each section are for convenience only. Said captions have no force of law, are not part of the section, and are not to be used in construing the language of the section. The following terms and phrases, as used herein, shall be given the meaning set forth below: (A) "County" is the County of Weld, a legal entity under the laws of the State of Colorado. (B) "Grantee" is Greeley Video , a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Colorado, and it is the grantee of rights under this franchise. (C) "Commission" is the Board of Commissioners of Weld County or its designated representative. (D) "Federal Communications Commission of "FCC" is the present Federal agency of that name as constituted by the Communications Act of 1934, or any successor agency created by the United States Congress. (E) "Person" is any individual , firm, partnership, associa- tion, corporation, company or organization of any kind. (F) "Gross subscriber revenues" shall include any and all compensation or receipts derived by Grantee from installation, dis- connection and re-installation charges and periodic service charges in connection with the carriage of broadcast signals and Federal Communi- cations Commission mandated non-broadcast services within the City, but shall not include any refunds or credits made to subscribers -3- • or any taxes imposed on the services furnished by Grantee. Nor shall it include revenue from "ancillary" or "auxiliary" services , which include, but are not limited to , advertising, loved channels , and programming supplied on a per program or per channel charge basis., if • any. (G) "Regular subscriber services" shall include the carriage of broadcast signals and FCC mandated non-broadcast services , but shall not include "ancillary" or "auxiliary" services , which include, but are not limited to, advertising, leased channels, and programming supplied on a per program or per channel charge basis , if any. - 4 - SECTION 4 -- GRANT OF AUTHORITY There is hereby granted by the County to Grantee the right and privilege to construct, erect, operate and maintain in, upon, along, across, above, over or under the streets, alleys , easements , public ways and public places now laid out or dedicated and all extensions thereof and additions thereto in the County, all poles , wires, cables, underground conduits, manholes and other conductors and fixtures necessary for the maintenance and operation in the County of a cable television system for the transmission of television signals and other signals either separately or upon or in conjunction with any public utility maintaining the same in the County with all of the necessary and desirable appliances and appurtenances pertaining thereto. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, this franchise and grant shall and does hereby include the right in, over, under and upon the streets , sidewalks, alleys, easements, and public grounds and places in the County to install , erect, operate or in any way acquire the use of, as by leasing or licensing, all lines and equipment necessary to a cable television system and the right to make connections to subscribers and the right to repair, replace, enlarge and extend said lines, equipment and connections. The rights herein granted for the purposes herein set forth shall not be exclusive, and the County reserves the right to grant a similar use of said streets, alleys , easements public ways and places to any person at any time during the period of this franchise; provided that nothing contained herein shall be deemed to require the granting of additional CATV franchises if, in the opinion of the Commissioners , it is in the public interest to restrict such franchises to one or more. -5- SECTION 5 -- POLICE POWER Grantee shall at all times during the term of this franchise be subject to all lawful exercise of the police power of the County. The right is hereby reserved to the County to adopt, in addition to the provisions herein contained and any other existing applicable ordinances , such additional applicable ordinances as it shall find necessary in the exercise of its police power; provided that such additional ordinances shall be reasonable, shall not conflict with or alter in any manner the rights granted herein , and shall not conflict with the laws of the State of Colorado, the laws of the United States of America , or the rules of the Federal Communications Commission. -6- SECTION 6 -- INDEMNIFICATION Grantee shall save the County harmless from all loss sustained by the City on account of any suit, judgment, execution, claim or demand whatsoever against the County resulting from negligence on the part of Grantee in the construction, operation or maintenance of its cable television system in the County; and for this purpose Grantee shall carry property damage and personal injury insurance with some responsible insurance company or companies qualified to do business in the State of Colorado. The amounts of such insurance to be carried for liability due to property damage shall be $500,000 as to any one occurrance; and against liability due to injury to or death of persons , $500,000 as to any one person and $1 ,000,000 as to any one occurrance. The County shall notify Grantee, in writing, within ten (10) days after the presentation of any claim or demand, either by suit of otherwise, made against the County on account of any negligence as aforesaid on the part of Grantee. Where any such claim or demand against the County is made by suit or other legal action, written notice thereof shall be given by the County to Grantee not less than five (5) days prior to the date upon which an answer to such legal action is due or within ten (10) days after the claim or demand is made upon the County, whichever notice yields Grantee the larger amount of time within which to prepare an answer. Failure by the County to properly notify Grantee in accordance with the foregoing of any such claim, suit, or demand against the County shall release Grantee from its obligation to indemnify the County as provided herein. -7- SECTION 7 -- COMPLAINT PROCEDURE Grantee shall maintain a business office or a toll -free telephone listing in the County for the purpose of receiving inquiries and complaints from its customers and the general public. Grantee shall • investigate all complaints within five (5) days of their receipt and shall in good faith attempt to resolve them swiftly and equitably. The follow- ing County official shall be responsible for receiving and acting upon any unresolved complaints: . Written notice of this complaint procedure, including the identity of the County official responsible for receiving unresolved complaints, shall be given to each subscriber at the time of initial subscription to the cable system. -8- SECTION 8 -- CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE (A) All structures, lines and equipment erected by Grantee within the County shall be so located as to cause minimum interference with the proper use of streets, alleys , easements and other public ways and places and to cause minimum interference with the rights or reasonable convenience of property owners , and Grantee shall comply with all reason- able, proper and lawful ordinances of the County now or hereafter in force. Existing poles, posts , conduits , and other such structures of any electric power system,telephone company, or other public utility located in the County shall be made available to Grantee for leasing or licensing upon reasonable terms and rates and shall be used to the extent practicable in order to minimize interference with travel and avoid unnecessary dupli- cation of facilities. The County shall actively assist Grantee to the fullest extent necessary in obtaining reasonable joint pole or conduit use agreements from the owners of existing poles or conduits. (B) In case of any disturbance by Grantee of pavement, side- walk, driveway or other surfacing, Grantee shall , at its own cost and expense and in a manner approved by the County, replace and restore all paving, sidewalk, driveway or surface so disturbed in as good condition as before said work was commenced. (C) In the event that at any time during the period of this franchise the County shall lawfully elect to alter or change any street, alley, easement, or other public way requiring the relocation of Grantee's facilities , then in such event Grantee, upon reasonable notice by the County, shall remove, relay and relocate the same at its own expense; provided, however, that where public funds are available for such reloca- tion pursuant to law, Grantee shall not be required to pay the cost. -9- (D) Grantee shall , on the request of any person holding a building moving permit issued by the County, temporarily raise or lower its lines to permit the moving of the building. The expense of such temporary removal shall be paid by the person requesting the same, and Grantee shall have the authority to require such payment in advance. (E) Grantee shall have the authority to trim trees upon and overhanging all streets , alleys , easements, sidewalks and public places of the County so as to prevent the branches of such trees from coming into contact with Grantee's facilities. (F) All poles, lines, structures and other facilities of Grantee in, on, over and under the streets , sidewalks, alleys , easements and public grounds or places of the County shall be kept by Grantee at all times in a safe and substantial condition. (G) Should any construction be necessary for Grantee to provide the cable television service authorized by this franchise, a significant portion of such construction (at least 20%) shall be accom- plished within one (1 ) year after the effective date of this Ordinance, and receipt of approved distant signals , or, if FCC certification is required prior to implementation of the cable television service author- ized by this franchise, within one (1 ) year after the effective date of the grant by the FCC of the necessary certification signals. Thereafter, Grantee shall equitably and reasonably proceed to complete the necessary construction at a rate of not less than 20% per year of the total con- struction authorized by this franchise. -10- SECTION 9 -- RATES The rates for installation of equipment and regular sub- scriber services shall be nondiscriminatory and shall be as set forth below; provided that nothing contained herein shall be deemed to pro- hibit reasonable promotional rates which may, from time to time, be less than the rates set forth herein : (A) RESIDENTIAL SUBSCRIBERS* (Includes Converter) Installation Primary Outlets S9.95 each Additional Outlets (A) installed with 1st outlet 55.00 each (b) installed another time 9.95 each Monthly Service Charge 1 . Primary Outlet $6.95 each 2. Additional Outlets (TV/FM) 2.50 each (B) COMMERCIAL SUBSCRIBERS Installation Time & Materials Master systems for motels , hotels , apartment complex, trailer parks , etc. , will be built on a tine and materials basis , figured at actual cost to Grantee. Monthly Service Charge 1 . Hotels , motels , businesses and other transient rentals (includes converter) $3.00 each 2. Apartments , trailer parks , etc. , billed on bulk basis : 1-5 Outlets $6.95 each 6-49 Outlets 6.00 each 50-99 Outlets 5.50 each 100 and over 5.00 each Bulk Rate Contracts will be utilized for motels , hotels , businesses , apartments , trailer parks , and similar dwelling units. -11 - OTHER CHARGES Reconnect to existing outlet $5.00 Relocate or move outlet in residence 5.00 Transfer from one residence to another 5.00 Reconnect subscriber disconnected for past due account non-payment $2 monthly in advance * Residential installation charges may be waived during con- struction. (C) No increase in rates charged for installation of equipment and regular subscriber services as specified above shall be made effective except as authorized by the Commission within ninety (90) days after public notice of the proposed increase is given by Grantee to the Commission and after a full , open , and public proceeding upon prior notice and op- portunity of all interested parties to be heard; provided that in the event that the Commission fails to formally act upon the proposed rate increase within the 90-day notice period, the proposed increase shall be deemed approved and shall be effective at the end of the 90-day notice period. Approval or disapproval by the Commission of any rate increase proposed by Grantee may be expressed by simple resolution, and this Ordinance need not be amended for that purpose. A request for a rate increase shall not be unreasonably denied, and any denial of a rate increase, in whole or in part, shall be accompanied by a written statement by the Commission, which shall set forth the reasons for denial . In the event that the Commission denied a proposed rate increase, in whole or in part, Grantee shall have the right to request arbitration, in accordance with rules of the American Arbitration Association , to determine the reasonableness of the Commission's action or, at its option, Grantee shall have the right to request review of the denial by any court of competent jurisdiction. -12- (CO Recognizing the pendency of court litigation and Congres- sional legislation at the time of the passing of this Ordinance, which may impose copyright liability upon all or a part of the cable television service rendered by Grantee in the County, and further recognizing the uncertainty and jeopardy into which such potential liability places Grantee, should such copyright liability be imposed upon Grantee by any court or by the Congress , Grantee shall have the right to increase its rates for regular subscriber services in order to offset such copyright liability. Any increase in Grantee's rate schedule pursuant to this paragraph shall be limited to the amount of the copyright liability imposed. Such increase shall not be subject to the procedures specified in the preceding para- graph and shall become effective ten (10) days after notice of such in- crease is given to the Commission together with a certification that the increase is due solely to the imposition of copyright liability and that the increase is limited to an amount necessary to cover the amount of the liability. (E) Prior approval of the Commission need not be obtained for any increase in rates charged for installation of equipment and regular subscriber services resulting from the imposition of, or an increase in taxes or license charges imposed upon cable television facilities , services, operation, or income; provided that any such increase in rates is limited to an amount necessary to offset the aforesaid imposition of, or increase in taxes or license charges. Any such increase shall become effective ten (10) days after notice of such increase is given to the Commission together with a certification that the increase is due solely to the imposition of, or increase in taxes or license charges. (F) Prior approval of the Commission need not be obtained for any increase in rates charged for installation of equipment and regular -13- subscriber services that does not exceed five percent (5%) in any one twelve-month period; provided that any increase in rates pursuant to this provision shall not be in excess of the increase if any, in the Consumer Price Index applicable to the same twelve-month period. Any such increase shall become effective ten (10) days after notice of such increase is given to the Commission together with a certification that such increase is limited to five (5%) or less of Grantee' s existing rate schedule for installation of equipment and regular subscriber services , or that such increase is limited to the increase in the Consumer Price Index for the applicable twelve-month period, whichever is the lesser. (G) Rates for services other than installation of equipment and regular subscriber services shall be established and published by Grantee pursuant to the rules of the Federal Communications Commission. -14- SECTION 10 -- FCC RULES APPLICABLE This franchise is governed by and subject to all applicable rules and regulations of the Federal Communications Commission, specif- ically including Part 76, and by the laws of the State of Colorado. Should there be any modifications of the provisions of Section 76.31 of the Rules and Regulations of the Federal Communications Commission, which must be incorporated into this franchise, the Commission and Grantee agree that such incorporation shall be accomplished within one (1 ) year after the effective date of the FCC's adoption of the modification or upon renewal of this franchise, whichever occurs first. -15- SECTION 11 -- FRANCHISE TERM This franchise shall take effect and be in full force from, and after acceptance by Grantee as provided in Section 18, and the same shall continue in full force and effect for a term of fifteen (15) years; provided, however, that should FCC certification be necessary prior to implementation of the cable television service contemplated under this franchise, then the term shall begin upon the effective date of the grant by the FCC of the necessary certification. -16- SECTION 12 -- RENEWAL PROCEDURE Grantee shall have the option to request renewal of this franchise for an additional period not to exceed fifteen (15) years . Should Grantee desire to exercise this option, it shall so notify the County, in writing, not less than three (3) months prior to ex- piration of this franchise. Upon exercise of this option by Grantee, the Commission shall conduct a full , open and public renewal proceeding upon prior notice and opportunity of all interested parties to be heard. The renewal proceeding shall be held for the purpose of considering Grantee's performance under this franchise in order to determine whether to renew this franchise. Renewal shall not be unreasonably denied, and shall be granted unless Grantee is found to be unqualified to con- tinue operation of this cable television system. If this franchise is renewed by the County, all of the terms and provisions contained herein shall be controlling during the renewal period, except to the extent that said terms and provisions are modified by the County, or unless this franchise is superseded by a new franchise. Should the Commission, for any reason, be unable to"complete the renewal proceeding prior to expiration of this franchise, Grantee shall have the right to continue operation of this cable television system pursuant to the terms of this franchise until such time as the renewal proceeding is concluded. Should the County deny renewal of this franchise, such denial shall be accompanied by a written statement setting forth the reasons for the denial . Grantee shall have the right to request review of any such denial by any court of competent jurisdiction. Furthermore, in the event that the County denies renewal , Grantee shall be afforded a per- iod of six (6) months following denial within which to sell , transfer, or convey this cable television system to a qualified purchaser at fair -17- market value. During this six-month period, which shall run from the effective date of the final order or decision denying renewal , including any appeal , Grantee shall have the right to operate this cable television system pursuant to the terms of this franchise. -18- SECTION 13 -- FORFEITURE If Grantee should violate any of the terms , conditions, or provisions of this franchise or if Grantee should fail to comply with any reasonable provisions of any ordinance of the County regulating the use by Grantee of the streets, alleys , easements or public ways of the County, and should Grantee further continue to violate or fail to comply with the same for a period of thirty (30) days after Grantee shall have been notified in writing by the County to cease and desist from any such violation of failure to comply so specified, then Grantee may be deemed to have forfeited and annulled and shall thereby forfeit and annul all the rights and privileges granted by this franchise; provided that such forfeiture shall be declared only by written decision of the Commission after an appropriate public proceeding before the Commission affording Grantee due process and full opportunity to be heard and to respond to any such notice of violation or failure to comply; and provided further that the Commission may, in its discretion and upon a finding of viola- tion or failure to comply, impose a lesser penalty than forfeiture of this franchise or excuse the violation or failure to comply upon showing by Grantee of mitigating circumstances. Grantee shall have the right to appeal any finding of violation or failure to comply and any resultant penalty to any court of competent jurisdiction. In the event that for- feiture is imposed upon Grantee, it shall be afforded a period of six (6) months within which to sell , transfer, or convey this cable tele- vision system to a qualified purchaser at fair market value. During this six-month period, which shall run from the effective date of the final order or decision imposing forfeiture, including any appeal , Grantee shall have the right to operate this cable television system pursuant to the provisions of this franchise. -19- SECTION 14 -- SURRENDER RIGHT Grantee may surrender this franchise at any time upon filing with the County Clerk of the County a written notice of its intention to do so at least three (3) months before the surrender date. On the surrender date specified in the notice, all of the rights and privileges , and all of the obligations, duties , and liabilities of Grantee in con- nection with this franchise shall terminate. -20- SECTION 15 -- TRANSFERS All of the rights and privileges and all of the obligations , duties , and liabilities created by this franchise shall pass to and be binding upon the successors of the County and the successors and assigns of Grantee; and the same shall not be assigned or transferred without the written approval of the Commission, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld; provided, however, that this Section shall not prevent the assignment of the franchise by Grantee as security for debt without such approval ; and provided further that transfers or assignments of this franchise between any parent and subsidiary cor- poration or between entities of which at least fifty percent (50%) of the beneficial ownership is held by the same person, persons , or entities shall be permitted without the prior approval of the Commission. -21- SECTION 16 -- FRANCHISE FEE In consideration of the terms of this franchise, Grantee agrees to pay the County a sum of money equal to three percent (3%) of Grantee's gross subscriber services in the County. Such annual sum shall be payable one-half (1/2) thereof at the end of each semi- annual period. The semi-annual anniversary shall be the last day of June and last day of December of each year, and each semi-annual pay- ment shall be paid within sixty (60) days thereafter. All other license fees or taxes levied upon Grantee by the County shall be credited against the payment required herein. -22- SECTION 17 -- RECEIVER SALES PROHIBITED As a condition of this franchise, Grantee agrees that it shall not engage in the business of sales or repair of television re- ceivers owned by its subscribers ; nor shall it be responsible for the operating condition of said receivers ; provided, however, that this paragraph shall not apply to converters, decoders , home interactive terminals and other such devices as may be used in furnishing any programming or service via Grantee's cable television system. -23- SECTION 18 -- ACCEPTANCE This Ordinance shall become effective when accepted by Grantee and shall then be and become a valid and binding contract between the County and Grantee; provided that this Ordinance shall be void unless Grantee shall , within ninety (90) days after the final passage of this Ordinance, file with the County Clerk of the County a written acceptance of this Ordinance and the franchise herein granted, agreeing that it will comply with all of the provisions and conditions thereof and that it will refrain from doing all of the things prohibited by this Ordinance. -24- • SECTION 19 -- U'ILA:IFUL ACTS (A) It shall be unlawful for any person to make any unauthorized connection , whether physically , electrically , acoustically, inductively or otherwise, with any part of Grantee' s cable television system for the purpose of enabling himself or others to receive any tele- vision signals , radio signals , pictures , programs , sounds , or any other information or intelligence transmitted over Grantee' s cable system without payment to Grantee or its lessee. (B) It shall be unlawful for any person , without' the consent of the owner, to willfully tamper with, remove, or injure any cable , wires , or other equipment used for the distribution of television signals , radio signals , pictures , programs , sounds , or any other information or intelligence transmitted over Grantee's cable system. (c) It shall be a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) , or by imprisonment for a term not to exceed six (6) months , or both, for any person to violate any of the provisions of this Section. - 25 - SECTION 20 -- SEVERABILITY If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase, or portion of this Ordinance is for any reason held invalid or uncon- stitutional by any Federal or state court or administrative or govern- mental agency of competent jurisdiction, specifically including the Federal Communications Commission, such portion shall be deemed a separate, distinct and independent provision , and such holding shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions hereof. It is the intent of the Commission in that grant of authority heretofore made under Resolution of to Greeley Video shall continue and remain in full force and effect as modified by this agree- ment. Any conflict in the provisions of this Ordinance and, except for the granting of Certificate of Convenience and Necessity to Greeley Video under Resolution of any provision of Resolution of in conflict with this Ordinance is repealed. -26- SECTION 21 -- EFFECTIVE DATE This Ordinance shall become effective upon acceptance by Grantee as provided in Section 18. The effective date shall be the date upon which the written acceptance provided for in Section 18 is received by the County Clerk. Introduced, Read and Ordered Published this day of A.D. 19 Passed and Ordered Published this day of A.D. 19 Mayor Attest: County Clerk -27- FRANK L.GRIGGS FINANCIAL VICE PRESIDENT July 1, 1976 County Commissioner's Office Weld County Courthouse Greeley, Co. 80631 Peat, Marwick, Mitchel) F Co. , 1600 Broadway, Denver, Colorado 80202 are making their usual examination of our accounts . We would appreciate, therefore, if you will please furnish them with the following information in regard to Greeley Video, Inc. as of the close of business on May 31, 1976. 1. Confirmation by signing and returning this letter that Greeley Video Inc. is the holder of a permit or franchise for operations of a cable television system, as set forth in your Ordinance 71967 , adopted on July 19 , 1967 2. The number and date of adoption of any ordinances or resolutions which affect the provisions contained in that permit adopted subsequent to the ordinance granting the permit. Thank you for your immediate attention to this confirmation request. Since , /y Frank L. Griggs Financial Vice President The above is correct ( v"). incorrect ( ) . Exceptions : DATE: 7 / ' 7 (7, SIGNATURE: ' S/�cir—R �_) a.LtAtc Y q ^ llt, DANIELS PROPERTIES INC. I 2930 EAST 3RD AVENUE DENVER,ICOLORADO 80206 I 303 321-755 i G * ' Greeley ti video 2930 east third avenue / denver, colorado 80206 / 303 388-5888 June 10, 1976 Mr. Lee Shehee County Clerk Weld County Colorado P. 0. Box 459 Greeley, CO 80631 Dear Mr. Shehee: Greeley Video is confident now is the time to move forward positively with the development of Cable Television for the Greeley area. In the intervening years since Weld County granted a franchise (permit) to Greeley Video, there have been enormous changes in the technology of the cable communications industry. At the same time, substantial changes have occurred in the areas of Federal , administra- tive, and financial requirements. We are currently in contact with the City of Greeley and would appreciate the opportunity to discuss these developments with you and the County Commissioners. Enclosed please find a brief historical review of the struggle to develop cable television in this area. Also included is (1 ) a revised franchise (permit) , which meets or exceeds all requirements of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) ; (2) a copy of FCC document Subpart C-Federal-State/Local Regulatory Relationships 76.31 . This is the document used as a basis for the revised franchise (permit) submitted. I look forward to discussing this matter with you and the Com- missioners at the earliest convenient time. Sincerely/ /, H. L. Oyler kmw Enclosures cc John Seeman Bob Clark file June 8, 1976 The Board of County Commissioners Weld County Colorado Gentlemen: The following is a brief Historical Review of developments in the quest for Cable Television for Weld County, which began in 1967 and carry forward to this date. Initial Proposal--Greeley Video In 1967, Greeley Video was issued a certificate of incorporation as a Colorado Corporation. Subsequently, Greeley Video submitted a detailed proposal to provide cable television services in Weld County. This proposal was imaginative, innovative, and represented a sizeable investment on behalf of the cable company. Simultaneously with this proposal , similar efforts were underway in the cities of Greeley, Fort Collins, Loveland, and Longmont, and in Larimer County. Discussions led to an area approach to this "new" communications medium by all involved, to derive the best advantages for the total area, including linking together of the communities to share educational and other resources. CATV-Bids Subsequently, in November of 1967, all four communities and the two counties received bids from "Video" , which was the only company to meet all conditions , and shortly thereafter franchises (permits) were awarded. Application to FCC In January of 1968, "Video" made application with the Federal Commun- ications Commission (FCC) to provide latest state-of-the-art, Cable Tele- vision Service to the four communities. That action was never given formal hearing by the FCC. ,ne Commission, that same month , effectively put a freeze on cable television by allowing Broadcast Television Stations to stop cable development, by objecting on the grounds that cable would or might dilute their audiences. The period up until early 1972 , then, was one in which the FCC sought to develop specific rules and regulations to control the develop- ment and operation of the cable television industry. • New FCC Rules • Finally, on March 31 , 1972, the "freeze" ended with the adoption by the FCC of a new set of rules governing the nationwide development of CATV. These rules effectively changed the original applications for Greeley, Fort Collins , Longmont, Loveland, and the two counties , and the company (Video) then set about the task of developing new applications to the FCC to conform with the new regulations. On August 30, 1972 , the new applications were submitted to the FCC, and included such areas as provision of service to every part of the city; color production studios available for local program pro- duction; local access ; educational access; a remote telecasting van; and a newly designed system, which would be able to carry thirty channels , including a new technological innovation called Metro Data to accommodate comprehensive local access , by utilizing a computer and remote keyboards . Other areas in- cluded in the new application included two-way capacity for 'specific uses and experimentation, in particular, educational and city communications ; service to be provided to all public schools, police and fire stations , libraries and other public buildings at no monthly cost; an agreement to pay rental for any city owned utility pole used by the company; a fee payment to the city of between 3 and 5 percent (the FCC now specifies anything over 3% must be justified as being appropriate in the light of the planned lock regulatory program) . There was also a new schedule of monthly subscriber fees to reflect the in- creased amount of services to be provided. • So with the 1972 CATV "thaw" it appeared that Greeley would soon have the services of a professional cable television system. This was not to be so. In June of 1972, the FCC approved a construction permit for a UHF Broadcast Television station (Channel 22) assigned by license to Fort Collins- Greeley. Thus, once again , blocking the development of cable television. According to FCC rules , the granting of a construction permit for Channel 22 prevented the cable company from importing a single distant signal . This sit- uation was finally resolved early in 1975, when the FCC declared the building permit for the television station void, because the declared intent to con- struct the facility had not developed, and did not appear likely to develop, though extensions had been requested and granted. Certificates Granted On March 31 , 1975, the FCC granted to Video Certificates of Compliance (permits) for Greeley, Fort Collins , Larimer and Weld Counties. Loveland and Longmont were held in abeyance. Conditions to Permits In granting the Certificates of Compliance, the Commission set their term at two years , with expiration as of March 31 , 1977; with that date set as the time when all franchises , for existing cable television operations , or unbuilt franchises (permits) , issued by cities prior to March 31 , 1972, were required to be updated to meet the new rules and regulations. Quote from Fort Collins CATV Committee We believe the following quotes from the Fort Collins CATV Committee report states precisely the position of "Video". For eight years , this company has worked diligently to keep us informed on events and to design the system to meet the high expectations for local communications. Video has been the only cable company desirous of providing an area educationalchannel . It has a major investment in this area. It is the unanimous feeling of the Committee that the problems encountered by Video would have similarly been encountered by any other firm. "While great disappointments have ensued in not being able to obtain the service, the Committee recommends that the City Council continue to support Video." Video has , throughout the history of this endeavor, sought its develop- ment in every way possible. Each Application for Certification to the FCC was met with broadcaster objection; each objection was answered, and in turn, each answer received retaliatory objection. Finally, all legal hurdles have been cleared, and it is at this time we are certain we can not proceed in an orderly fashion. Sincerely ---"Wir H. L. 0y1 kmw cc John Saeman Robert M. Clark file SUBPART C -FEDERAL -STATE/LOCAL REGULATORY RELATIONSHIP,' 76.31 Franchise Standards (a) In order to obtain a certificate of compliance, a proposed or existing cable television system shall have a franchise or other appropriate authorization that contains recitations and provisions consistent with the following requirements; (I) The franchisee's legal, character, financial , technical and other qualifi - cations , and the adequacy and feasibility of its construction arrangements , have been approved by the franchising authority as part of a full public proceeding affording due process; (2) The franchisee shall accomplish significant construction within one (I)year after receiving Commission certification, and shall thereafter reasonabl y make cable service available to a substantial percentage of its franchise area each year, such percentage to be determined by the franchising authority ; Ftovided,however, that where a franchise contains a policy of construction requiring less than comp- lete wiring of the franchise area ,such policy shall be adopted only after a full public proceeding (as contemplated by subparagraph (I) of this paragraph) which includes specific notice of the consideration of such a policy. NOTE: The proviso to this paragraph is applicable only to franchises granted after August 1,1975. (3) The initial franchise period shall not exceed fifteen(15) years , and any renewal franchise period shall be of reasonable duration. (4) The franchising authority has specified cr approved the initial rates that the franchisee charges subscribers for installation of equipment and regular subscriber services . No increases in rates charged to the subscriber shall be made except as authorized by the franchising authority after an appropriate public proceedirg affording due process; (5) The franchisee shall:(i) specify that proceedures have been adopted by the franchisee and franchisor for the investigation and resolution of all complaints regarding cable television operations ;(ii) require that the franchisee maintain a local busines s office or agent for these purposes;(iii) designate byhitle the office or official of the franchising authority that has primary responsibility for the continuing administration of the franchise and implementation of complaint procedures and (Iv) specify that notice of the procedures for reporting and resolving complaints will be given to each subscriber at the time of initial subscription to the cable system. NOTE: Subparagraps (iii) and (iv) of this paragraph are applicable only to franchises granted after Augustl,1975 (6) Any modificatio-m of the provisions of this section resulting from amendment by the Commission shall be incorporated into the franchise within one(l) year of adoption of the modification, or at the tine of franchise renewal , whichever oceurc first. Provided , however, That , in an application for certificate of compliance, consistency with these requirements shall not be expected of a cable television system that was in operation prior to March 31,1972, until the end of its current franchise period , or March 31 ,1977, whichever occurs first; and provided , further, That on a petition filed pursuant to 76.7 , in connection with an application for certificate of compliance the commission may waive consistency with these requirements for a cable system that was not in operation prior to March 31,1972 , and that, relying on an existing franchise , made a significant financial investment or entered into binding contracture] agreements prior to March 31,1972 until the end of its current franchise period , or March 31,1977, whichever comes first. (b) The franchise fee shall be reasonable (e.g. ,in the range of 3 to 5 percent of the franchisees gross subscriber revenues per year from cable television operations in the community (including all forms of consideration, such as initial lump sum payments)). If the franchise fee exceeds three percent of such revenues, the cable television system shall not receive Commission certification until the reasonable: ass of the fee is approved by the Commission on showings by the franchisee that it will not interfere with the effectuation of federal regulatory goals in the field of cable television,and, by the franchising authority that it is appropriate in the light of the planned local regulatory program. The provisions of this paragraph shall not be effective with respect to a cable television system that was in operation prior to March 31,1972, until the end of a systems current franchise period , or March 31,1977, whichever occurs first. Hello