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LAND DIVISION ORDINANCE
TOWNSHIP OF GENOA
COUNTY OF LIVINGSTON STATE OF MICHIGAN
ORDINANCE NO. 970915
Adopted: September 15, 1997
Effective: OCTOBER 1, 1997
LAND DIVISION ORDINANCE
An ordinance to regulate partitioning or division of parcels or tracts of
land, enacted pursuant but not limited to Michigan Public Act 288 of 1967,
as amended, and Act 246 of 1945, as amended, being the Township General
Ordinance statute; to provide a procedure therefore; to repeal any ordinance
or provision thereof in conflict herewith; and to prescribe penalties and
enforcement remedies for the violation of this ordinance.
TOWNSHIP OF GENOA
LIVINGSTON COUNTY, MICHIGAN,
ORDAINS:
SECTION I
TITLE
This ordinance shall be known and cited as the Genoa Township Land
Division Ordinance.
SECTION II
PURPOSE
The purpose of this ordinance is to carry out the provisions of the State
Land Division Act (1967 PA 288, as amended, formerly known as the
Subdivision Control Act), to prevent the creation of parcels of property
which do not comply with applicable ordinances and said Act, to minimize
potential boundary disputes, to maintain orderly development of the
community, and otherwise provide for the health, safety and welfare of the
residents and property owners of the Township by establishing reasonable
standards for prior review and approval of land divisions within the
Township.
SECTION III
DEFINITIONS
For purposes of this ordinance certain terms and words used herein shall
have the following meaning:
A. "Applicant" - a natural person, firm, association,
partnership, corporation, or combination of any of them that holds an
ownership interest in land whether recorded or not.
B. "Divided" or "Division" - the partitioning or
splitting of a parcel or tract of land by the proprietor thereof or by his
or her heirs, executors, administrators, legal representatives, successors
or assigns, for the purpose of sale or lease of more than one year, or of
building development that results in one or more parcels of less than 40
acres or the equivalent, and that satisfies the requirements of Sections 108
and 109 of the State Land Division Act. "Divide" and
"Division" does not include a property transfer between two or
more adjacent parcels, if the property taken from one parcel is added to an
adjacent parcel; and any resulting parcel shall not be considered a building
site unless the parcel conforms to the requirements of the State Land
Division Act, or the requirements of other applicable local ordinances.
C. "Exempt split" or "exempts division" - the
partitioning or splitting of a parcel or tract of land by the proprietor
thereof, or by his or her heirs, executors, administrators, legal
representatives, successors or assigns, that does not result in one or more
parcels of less than 40 acres or the equivalent.
D. Forty acres or the equivalent" - either 40 acres, a
quarter-quarter section containing not less than 30 acres, or a government
lot containing not less than 30 acres.
E. "Governing body" - the Genoa Township Board.
SECTION IV
PRIOR APPROVAL REQUIREMENT FOR
LAND DIVISIONS
Land in the Township shall not be divided without the prior review and
approval of the Township assessor, or other official designated by the
governing body, in accordance with this ordinance and the State Land
Division Act; provided that the following shall be exempted from this
requirement:
A. A parcel proposed for subdivision through a recorded plat pursuant to
the State Land Division Act.
B. A lot in a recorded plat proposed to be divided in accordance with the
State Land Division Act.
C. An exempt split as defined in this Ordinance, or other partitioning or
splitting that results in parcels of 20 acres or more if each is not
accessible and the parcel was in existence on March 31, 1997 or resulted
from exempt splitting under the State Act.
SECTION V
APPLICATION FOR LAND DIVISION APPROVAL
An applicant shall file all of the following with the Township assessor
or other official designated by the governing body for review and approval
of a proposed land division before making any division either by deed, land
contract, lease for more than one year, or for building development:
A. A completed application form on such form as may be provided by the
Township Board.
B. Proof of fee ownership of the land proposed to be divided.
C. A tentative parcel map drawn to scale including an accurate legal
description of each proposed division, and showing the boundary lines,
approximate dimensions, and the accessibility of each division
for-automobile traffic and public utilities.
D. Proof that all standards of the State Land Division Act and this
Ordinance have been met.
E. If a transfer of division rights is proposed in the land transfer,
detailed information about the terms and availability of the proposed
division rights transfer.
F. A fee of $100.00 to cover the costs of review of the application and
administration of this Ordinance and the State Land Division Act. If an
application is received for more than four land divisions and additional fee
of $25.00 per additional parcel shall be paid by the applicant.
SECTION VI
PROCEDURE FOR REVIEW OF APPLICATIONS FOR
LAND DIVISION APPROVAL
A. The Township shall approve or disapprove the land division applied for
within 45 days after receipt of a complete application conforming to this
Ordinance's requirements and the State Land Division Act, and shall promptly
notify the applicant of the decision, and if denied, the reasons for denial.
B. Any person or entity aggrieved by decision of the assessor or designee
may, within 30 days of said decision appeal the decision to the governing
body of the Township or such other body or person designated by the
governing body which shall consider and resolve such appeal by a majority
vote of said Board or by the appellate designee at its next regular meeting
or session affording sufficient time for a 20 day written notice to the
applicant (and appellant where other than the applicant) of the time and
date of said meeting and appellate hearing.
C. The assessor or designee shall maintain an official record of all
approved and accomplished land divisions or transfers.
D. Approval of a division is not a determination that the resulting
parcels comply with other ordinances or regulations.
E. The Township and its officers and employees shall not be able for
approving a land division if building permits for construction on the
parcels are subsequently denied because of inadequate water supply, sewage
disposal facilities or otherwise, and any notice of approval shall include a
statement to this effect.
SECTION VII
STANDARDS FOR APPROVAL OF LAND DIVISIONS
A Proposed land division reviewable by the Township shall be approved if
the following criteria are met:
A. All the parcels created by the proposed division(s) have a minimum
width as specified by the Genoa Township Zoning ordinance, for the zoning
district in which the subject property is located, as amended from time to
time.
B. All such parcels shall contain a minimum area as specified by the
Genoa Township Zoning Ordinance, for the zoning district in which the
property is located, as amended from time to time.
C. The ratio of depth to width of any parcel created by the division does
not exceed a four to one ratio exclusive of access roads, easements, or
non-development sites. The depth of a parcel created by a land division
shall be measured within the boundaries of each parcel from the abutting
road right-of-way to the most remote boundary line point of the parcel from
the point of commencement of the measurement.
D. The proposed land division(s) comply with all requirements of this
Ordinance and the State Land Division Act.
E. All parcels created and remaining have existing adequate accessibility
or an area available therefor, for public utilities and emergency and other
vehicles.
SECTION VIII
CONSEQUENCES OF NONCOMPLIANCE WITH
LAND DIVISIONS APPROVAL REQUIREMENT
Any division of land in violation of any provision of this Ordinance
shall not be recognized as a land division of the Township tax roll and no
construction thereon which requires the prior issuance of a construction or
building permit shall be allowed. The Township shall further have the
authority to initiate injunctive or other relief to prevent any violation or
continuance of any violation of this Ordinance.
An unlawful division or split shall also be voidable at the option of the
purchaser and shall subject the seller to the forfeiture of all
consideration received or pledged therefor, together with any damages
sustained by the purchaser, recoverable in an action at law.
SECTION IX
SEVERABILITY
The provisions of this ordinance are hereby declared to be severable and
if any clause, sentence, word, section or provision is declared void or
unenforceable for any reason by any court of competent jurisdiction, it
shall not affect any portion of this ordinance other than said part or
portion thereof.
SECTION X
REPEAL
Article 20 of the Genoa Township Zoning Ordinance, as amended is hereby
repealed. This Ordinance shall not be construed to repeal any provision in
any applicable Zoning Ordinances or other ordinances of the Township which
shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding any land division
approval hereunder.
SECTION XI
EFFECTIVE DATE
This ordinance shall take effect upon publication following its adoption.
TOWNSHIP OF GENOA
Paulette A. Skolarus
Genoa Township Clerk
2980 DORR ROAD
810-227 5225
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TOWNSHIP OF GENOA
ORDINANCE NO. 20000417A
AN ORDINANCE REGULATING AND PROVIDING
FOR THE GRANTING OF CABLE TELEVISION FRANCHISES
The Township of Genoa ordains:
CABLE TELEVISION
ARTICLE I. IN GENERAL
Sec. 9-1. Definitions.
For purposes of this chapter the following terms,
phrases, words and their derivations will have these meanings:
Access channel means any noncommercial channel
dedicated by a cable system for local use or programming by persons other
than the Grantee.
Activated or ability means a function, service,
channel, or piece of equipment that is in working order and may be operated
or received by a Grantee, subscriber, programmer, operator, or user.
Basic service means all subscriber services provided
by the Grantee in one (1) or more service tiers, which include the delivery
of local broadcast signals and access channels.
Cable service means (A) the one-way transmission to
subscribers of (i) video programming, or (ii) other programming services,
and (B) subscriber interaction, if any, which is required for the selection
or use of such video programming or other programming service as defined by
17 USC 521.
Cable system
means a facility, consisting of a set of
closed transmission paths and associated signal generation, reception, and
control equipment that is designed to provide cable service which includes
video programming and which is provided to multiple subscribers within a
community, but such terms do not include (A) a facility that serves only to
retransmit the television signals of one or more television broadcast
stations; (B) a facility that serves subscribers without using any public
right-of-way; (C) a facility of a common carrier which is subject, in whole
or in part, to the provisions of subchapter II of Title V of the
Communications Act of 1934, as amended, except that such facility will be
considered a cable system (other than for purposes of section 541(c) of
Title V of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended), to the extent such
facility is used in the transmission of video programming directly to
subscribers, unless the extent of such use is solely to provide interactive
on-demand services; (D) an open video system that complies with Section 573
of Title V of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended; or (E) any
facilities of any electric utility used solely for operation of its electric
utility system.
Cable television regulatory commission means the
public body of the Township whose duties include regulating, monitoring, and
reporting on cable system, if any.
Channel
means the capa City to transport one (1)
video stream or television signal.
Educational access channel means any noncommercial
channel or portion of a channel for which local educational institutions are
the only designated programmers.
FCC
means the Federal Communications Commission and
any legally appointed, designated, or elected agency or successor.
Franchise
means the nonexclusive rights granted by
the Township to a Grantee to construct, operate, and maintain a cable system
in the Township.
Franchise Agreement means an ordinance awarding a
franchise accepted by the Grantee which contains the specific provisions of
the franchise granted, including referenced specifications, an ordinance
awarding the franchise, and other related material.
Grantee
means a person or entity to whom a cable
franchise has been granted under this Chapter.
Government access channel means any noncommercial
channel or portion of a channel for which local governmental agencies are
the only designated programmers.
Gross revenues will be as defined in a Franchise
Agreement and equally applied to all Grantees.
Interconnection
means the linking of separate cable
systems by coaxial, fiber optic cable, or other means.
Lockout device means a device which prevents
reception of one (1) or more channels.
Programmer
means any person or entity who or which
produces or otherwise provides program material or information for
transmission by video, audio, digital, or other signals, either live or from
recorded tapes or other storage media, to users or subscribers by means of
the cable system.
Proposal
means an application or proposal for a
franchise or renewal filed with the Township and any additions or
amendments.
Public access channel
means any channel or portion of
a channel utilized for noncommercial programming, including religious
programming, on a nonprofit basis but, that is available to the general
public.
Service area
means the entire geographic area of the
Township.
Street
means the surface of and the space above and
below a public street, road, highway, freeway, path, public place, sidewalk,
alley, boulevard, parkway, drive, or other easement now held by the
Township, and will include other easements or rights-of-way which will be
now or hereafter held by the Township and which will within their proper use
entitle the Township and a Grantee to the use thereof for the purposes of
installing or transmitting cable service over poles, wires, cables,
conductors, ducts, conduits, vaults, manholes, amplifiers, appliances,
attachments, and other property as may be ordinarily necessary and pertinent
to a cable system.
Subscriber
means a lawful recipient of
services which are delivered over the cable system.
Sec. 2. Intent.
The Township finds that the development of cable systems
has the potential of having great benefit and impact upon the people of the
Township. Because of the complex and rapidly changing technology associated
with cable television, the Township further finds that the public
convenience, health, safety, and general welfare can best be served by
establishing regulatory powers which should be vested in the Township or
such persons as the Township will designate. It is the intent of this
chapter and subsequent amendments to provide for and specify the means to
attain the best possible public interest and public purpose in these matters
and any Franchise issued pursuant to this chapter will be deemed to include
this finding as an integral part.
Sec. 3. Necessity of a Franchise.
No person may occupy or use the streets, sidewalks, or
other public rights-of-way of the Township for the purpose of operating a
cable system, nor operate such a system, without a Franchise. A Franchise
will comply with all the requirements of this chapter.
Secs. 4 — 25. Reserved.
ARTICLE II. GRANT OF FRANCHISE
Sec. 26. Grant of a Franchise.
If the Township grants a nonexclusive, revocable
Franchise to construct, operate, maintain, and reconstruct a cable system
within the Township, the Franchise constitutes both a right and an
obligation to provide the services of a cable system as required by the
provisions of this chapter and the Franchise .
Sec. 27. Use of public streets and rights-of-way.
(a) For the purpose of operating and maintaining a cable
system in the Township, the Grantee may erect, install, construct, repair,
replace, reconstruct, and retain in, on, over, under, upon, across, and
along the public streets and rights-of-way within the Township such wires,
cables, conductors, ducts, conduits, vaults, manholes, amplifiers,
appliances, pedestals, attachments, and other property and equipment
necessary and appurtenant to the operation of the cable system. Prior to
construction or alteration, however, the Grantee will in each case file
plans with the appropriate Township agencies, complete use agreements with
the utility companies, obtain all construction permits, and receive written
approval of the Township before proceeding, which approval may not
unreasonably be withheld.
(b) The grant of authority for use of Township streets,
sidewalks, and other public easements is nonexclusive and does not establish
priority for use over other Franchise holders, permit holders, and the
Township's own use of public property. Additionally, the Grantee will
respect the rights and property of the Township and other authorized users
of streets, sidewalks, and other public easements. Disputes between the
Grantee and other parties over the use, pursuant to this chapter, of the
streets, sidewalks, and other public easements may be submitted to the
Township for resolution.
Sec. 28. Nonexclusivity of a Franchise.
The Board of Trustees may award a nonexclusive Franchise
to construct, erect, operate, and maintain in, upon, along, above, over, and
under the streets, alleys, public ways, and public places, now laid out or
dedicated and all extensions thereof, and additions thereto, within the
Franchise territory such poles, wires, cables, underground conduits,
manholes, and other conductors and fixtures necessary for the operation and
maintenance of a cable system, and to furnish and to sell service from such
system to the inhabitants of the entire Franchise territory pursuant to the
terms of this chapter. The Board of Trustees specifically reserves the right
to grant at any time such additional Franchises for a cable system as it
deems appropriate.
Sec. 29. Term of a Franchise.
The term of a Franchise and all rights, privileges,
obligations, and restrictions pertaining thereto may not be more than
fifteen (15) years from the effective date of the Franchise, as specifically
set forth in a Franchise Agreement. The Franchise may be terminated sooner
pursuant to the provisions of this chapter. No privilege or power of eminent
domain is bestowed by this grant of a Franchise.
Sec. 30. Transfer,
Ownership, and Control.
(a)
Franchise Transfers.
A Franchise, the
cable system, and any portion of a cable system may not be transferred
without the prior written consent of the Township.
(1)
Exclusions.
For the purpose of this
Section, "transfer" and "transferred" does not
include: (a) a transfer solely for security purposes (such as the
grant of a mortgage or security interest) but does include any
realization on the security by the recipient, such as a foreclosure
on a mortgage or security interest; or (b) the replacement of
components of the Cable System in the course of ordinary maintenance
upgrade and day-to-day operation.
(2)
Exception.
A Grantee may, without
additional approval by Township, transfer or assign a Franchise to
an entity controlled and at least 50% owned by Grantee or
Grantee’s parent, where the new entity: assumes all of Grantee's
obligations and liabilities under the Franchise, agrees to comply
with all provisions of a Franchise and Cable Ordinance and becomes a
signatory to the Franchise, has the legal, managerial, technical,
and financial ability to properly perform and discharge such
obligations and liabilities, and such abilities are each at least as
great as those of Grantee. Township shall be advised in writing of
such transfer and of the new entity's qualifications at least sixty
(60) days before such transfer occurs and shall be reimbursed any
reasonable, documented costs it incurs in connection with such
transfer.
(b)
Transfer of Ownership or Control.
Unless
otherwise provided in the Franchise Agreement, there may be no transfer
of or acquisition of control of Grantee or of any entity, at any tier or
level, which directly or indirectly controls Grantee without the prior
written consent of Township.
(1) For the purposes of this Section, ". . .
transfer of or acquisition of control of Grantee . . . " means
any change in the identity of the entities, individuals, or group
which directs, or has the power to direct, the management and
policies of Grantee, whether through the ownership of voting
securities or other equity interest, by contract or otherwise.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, for the purposes
hereof, such a change will be deemed to have occurred at any point
in time when there is (a) a change in working or effective voting
control, in whatever manner effectuated, of Grantee; (b) an
agreement of the holders of voting stock or rights of Grantee which
effectively vests or assigns policy decision-making in any person or
entity other than Grantee; or (c) a sale, assignment, or transfer of
any shares or interest in Grantee which results in a change in the
control of Grantee.
(c)
Applications for Consent/Procedure.
If
Grantee seeks to obtain the consent of Township to any transactions or
matters described in Section 30 (a) or (b) (collectively
"transfer"), Grantee will submit an application for such
consent to Township and will submit or cause to be submitted to Township
such additional documents and information as Township may reasonably
request.
(1) The Township will have 120 days from the date
of submission of an application (such as an FCC Form 394) to act
upon any such application for consent. If the Township fails to act
upon such application for consent within 120 days, such application
will be deemed consented to unless the Township and Grantee
otherwise agree to an extension of time.
(2) The Township will not unreasonably withhold
its consent to any proposed transfer, and may grant its consent
outright, may grant such consent with reasonable conditions which it
finds are in the public interest, or may deny consent but may not
use the transfer to renegotiate the Franchise.
(3) Nothing in any approval by the Township of an
authorization of any transfer will be construed to waive or release
any rights of the Township in and to the streets, public ways, and
public places of the Township, or as a release of any of the
Township's police powers, or as an exercise of eminent domain.
(4) The Township's granting of consent in any one
instance will not require it to grant consent in other instances.
(5) Grantee shall pay and/or reimburse the
Township for all costs reasonably incurred by the Township due to
any proposed transfer reasonable and documented costs, not to exceed
$5,000.00.
Sec. 31. Franchise renewal.
With respect to the renewal of a Franchise, any
proceedings undertaken by the Township that relate to the renewal of
Franchises shall be governed by and comply with applicable federal law,
including the renewal provisions in Section 626 of the Federal Cable Act, as
amended.
32. Defaults.
(a)
Events of Default. Unless otherwise provided
in the Franchise Agreement, the occurrence, at any time during the Term of
the Franchise, of any one or more of the following events, shall constitute
an Event of Default by the Grantee under a Franchise:
(1) The failure of Grantee to pay the Franchise
fee.
(2) The failure of Grantee to pay PEG capital
grants, if any, on or before the due dates specified.
(3) Grantee's breach or violation of any of the
material terms, covenants, representations, or warranties contained
herein or Grantee's failure to perform any material obligation of
its Franchise.
(4) Grantee's failure to pay or cause to be paid
any governmentally imposed taxes of any kind whatsoever, including
but not limited to real estate taxes, income taxes, and personal
property taxes on or before the due date for same. Grantee shall not
be in default with respect to the non-payment of taxes which are
being disputed in good faith in accordance with applicable law.
(5) If Grantee files a voluntary petition in
bankruptcy; is adjudicated insolvent; obtains an order for relief
under Section 301 of the Bankruptcy Code (11 U.S.C. §301); files
any petition or fails to contest any petition filed against it
seeking any reorganization, arrangement, composition, readjustment,
liquidation, dissolution, or similar relief for itself under any
laws relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, or other relief for
debtors; seeks or consents to or acquiesces in the appointment of
any bankruptcy trustee, receiver, master, custodian, or liquidator
of Grantee, or any of Grantee's property and/or Franchise and/or of
any and all of the revenues, issues, earnings, profits, or income;
makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors; or fails to pay
Grantee's debts generally as they become due.
(b)
Uncured Events of Default.
Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default which can be cured by the
immediate payment of money to the Township or a third party, Grantee
shall have thirty (30) days from written notice from the Township to
Grantee of an occurrence of such Event of Default to cure same before
the Township may exercise any of its rights or remedies provided for in
Section 172. Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default by Grantee which
cannot be cured by the immediate payment of money to the Township or a
third party, Grantee shall have ninety (90) days from written notice
from the Township to Grantee of an occurrence of such Event of Default
to cure same before the Township may exercise any of its rights or
remedies provided for in Section 172.
(1) If any Event of Default is not cured within
the time period allowed for curing the Event of Default, as provided
for herein, such Event of Default shall, without additional notice,
become an Uncured Event of Default, which shall entitle the Township
to exercise the remedies provided for in Section 172.
Sec. 33. Extended operation.
At the expiration of the term or any extension thereof,
for which the Franchise is granted, the Township may require the Grantee to
continue to maintain and operate the system for a period not to exceed six
(6) months. The Grantee shall, as trustee for its successor in interest,
continue to operate the cable system under the terms and conditions of this
chapter and the Franchise and to provide the regular subscriber service and
any and all of the services that may be provided at the time. The Township
shall be permitted to seek legal and equitable relief to enforce the
provisions of this section.
Sec. 34. Receivership.
A Franchise will, at the option of the Board of Trustees,
cease and terminate one hundred twenty (120) days after the appointment of a
receiver or receivers or trustee or trustees to take over and conduct the
business of the Grantee whether in a receivership, reorganization,
bankruptcy, or other action or proceeding unless such receivership or
trusteeship is vacated prior to the expiration of the one hundred twenty
(120) days or unless:
(1) Such receivers or trustees have, within one
hundred twenty (120) days after their election or appointment, fully
complied with all the terms and provisions of this chapter and the
Franchise granted pursuant hereto, and the receivers or trustees within
the one hundred twenty (120) days have remedied all defaults under the
Franchise; and
(2) Such receivers or trustees, within one hundred
twenty (120) days, execute an agreement duly approved by the court
having jurisdiction in the premises, whereby such receivers or trustees
assume and agree to be bound by each and every term, provision, and
limitation of the Franchise herein granted.
Secs. 35 — 65. Reserved.
ARTICLE III. SERVICE PROVISIONS
Sec. 66. Services to be provided.
The Grantee will provide, at a minimum, the services
listed in the Franchise, including, but not limited to a basic level of
service to all subscribers which includes all public, educational, and
governmental access channels and local broadcast television stations carried
on the system as required by federal law. The Grantee's cable television
system will initially be capable of carrying at least seventy-eight (78)
television channels on the subscriber network.
Sec. 67. Government access channel.
Upon request by the Township, a Grantee will provide at
least one (1) noncommercial channel for the use of the Township at no charge
to the Township on the subscriber network.
Sec. 68. Educational access channel.
Upon request by the Township, a Grantee will provide at
least one (1) noncommercial channel for the use of the local educational
institutions at no charge on the subscriber network.
Sec. 69. Public access channel.
Upon request by the Township, the Grantee will make at
least one (1) local noncommercial channel available to the public at no
charge on the subscriber network.
Sec. 70. Lockout control devices.
The Grantee will provide a method, such as a lockout
device, to all requesting subscribers which provides the ability to block
video and audio from the channel and which will allow maximum subscriber
control over programming received into the home or place of business, for
which Grantee may charge a fee subject to federal law and regulation.
Secs. 71 — 90. Reserved.
ARTICLE IV. DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS,
CONSTRUCTION PROVISIONS AND CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS
Sec. 91. System design.
The cable system will be constructed in accordance with
the design requirements contained in the Franchise .
Sec. 92. Geographical coverage.
The Grantee will design and construct a cable system in
such a manner as to serve all residential, government, and school buildings
within the area of the Franchise . Service will be provided to subscribers
in accordance with the schedules specified in the Franchise.
Sec. 93. Cable System facilities.
The Grantee will provide facilities in accordance with
the requirements of the Franchise, if any.
Sec. 94. System construction schedules.
(a) A Grantee required to construct a new system in the
Township within ninety (90) days after the effective date of the Franchise,
will apply for all necessary permits and authorizations which are required
to commence construction, including but not limited to any utility joint use
attachment agreements, and any other permits, licenses, and authorizations.
The Grantee will apply for all necessary and required permits and file all
necessary and required statements with the FCC as set forth in the
Franchise. The Grantee will apply for all other necessary permits and
authorizations which are required in the conduct of its business with due
diligence thereafter.
(b) The Grantee will commence construction of the cable
system on a date mutually agreed to between the parties. The Board of
Trustees may grant an extension only for good cause shown. Formal
application for such extension must be filed in writing by the Grantee
within the time for completion of construction.
(c) Prior to the commencement of construction, the
Grantee will submit to the Township a detailed description of the proposed
cable system. Construction status reports will be submitted to the Township
at least once in every calendar quarter until construction has been
completed. The Grantee will, as soon as practicable, prepare a map of the
proposed system and will promptly submit four (4) complete copies, and any
revisions thereto, as soon as they are available to the Township building
and engineering department and one map in GIS format.
(d) After service has been made available to any
particular area of the Township by activating trunk cables, the Grantee will
install individual drops and provide service in accordance with the
Grantee's marketing plan to any requesting subscriber within that area
within ninety (90) days from the date of request.
(e) The Grantee may prepare a timetable of construction
which will make cable television service available sooner than the above
minimum requirements.
Sec. 95. Underground Construction.
(a) In those areas of the Township where transmission or
distribution facilities of all utility companies are underground or are
placed underground, the Grantee will likewise construct, operate, and
maintain all of its transmission and distribution facilities underground.
(b) In cases of new construction or property development
where utilities are underground, the developer or property owner will give
the Grantee reasonable notice of such construction or development, and make
reasonable provision for joint trenching by the Grantee and other utilities.
Developers shall make access available to Grantees on the same terms and
conditions as other public utilities.
(c) In those areas of the Township where the utility
facilities are above ground at the time of installation of the cable system
and are subsequently placed underground by the utility companies or are
required by the Township to be placed underground, the Grantee will likewise
place its facilities underground within six (6) months at its sole cost and
expense.
Sec. 96. Street occupancy.
(a) The Grantee will notify the Township at least ten
(10) days prior to commencing any construction in any streets. The Township
shall cooperate with the Grantee in granting any permits required. Such
construction by the Grantee may not unduly interfere with the use of such
streets or the rights of other parties occupying such streets. That proposed
construction will be done in accordance with the pertinent provisions of the
ordinances of the Township.
(b) It is unlawful for the Grantee or any person acting
on its behalf to open or otherwise disturb the surface of any street,
driveway, public way, or other public place for any purpose whatsoever
without appropriate construction permits from the Township.
(c) All transmission lines, equipment, and structures
will be so installed and located as to cause minimum interference with the
rights and reasonable convenience of property owners and at all times will
be kept and maintained in a safe, adequate, and substantial condition, and
in good order and repair. The Grantee will at all times employ ordinary care
and will install and maintain in use commonly accepted methods and devices
for preventing failures and accidents which are likely to cause damage,
injuries, or nuisances to the public. Suitable barricades, flags, lights,
flares, or other devices will be used at such times and places as are
reasonably required for the safety of all members of the public. Any poles
or other fixtures placed in any public way by the Grantee will be placed in
such a manner as not to interfere with the usual travel on such public way.
(d) The Grantee will, at its own expense, and in a manner
approved by the Township, restore to Township standards and specifications
any damage or disturbance caused to the street or public way as a result of
its operations or construction on its behalf. The Grantee will, at its own
expense, restore property disturbed or damaged to reasonably and
generally applied standards.
(e) Whenever, in case of fire or other disaster, it
becomes necessary in the judgment of the fire chief or police chief to
remove any of the Grantee's facilities, no charge may be made by the Grantee
against the Township for restoration and repair, unless such acts amount to
negligence by the Township.
(f) The Grantee may trim trees or other vegetation owned
by the Township to prevent their branches or leaves from touching or
otherwise interfering with its wires, cables, or other structures.
(1) All trimming or pruning will be done with
Township’s prior approval.
(2) All trimming or pruning will be at the sole cost
of the Grantee.
(3) The Grantee may contract for trimming or pruning
services with any approved contractor.
(4) The Grantee will obtain the permission of the
owner of any privately owned tree or other vegetation before it trims or
prunes the same.
(g) The Grantee at its own expense shall protect,
support, temporarily disconnect, relocate, or remove any property of the
Grantee when in the opinion of the Township the same is required by reason
of traffic conditions, public safety, street vacation, freeway or street
construction, change or establishment of a street grade, installation of
sewers, drains, water pipes, power lines, signal lines, transportation
facilities, railroad tracks, or any other types of structure or improvements
by governmental agencies whether acting in a governmental or a proprietary
capa Township or any other structure or public improvement, including but
not limited to movement of buildings, urban renewal and redevelopment, and
any general program under which the Township will undertake to cause all
such properties to be located beneath the surface of the ground. The
Township has the right upon five (5) days notice to require the Grantee to
remove at its own expense any property of the Grantee or make any other type
of improvement necessary for the public health, safety, or welfare. Nothing
in this Chapter may be deemed a taking of the property of the Grantee, and
the Grantee will be entitled to no surcharge.
(h) Upon 30 days written notice to the Grantee and the
subsequent failure of the Grantee to commence, pursue, or complete any work
required by law or by the provisions of this chapter to be done in any
street, within the time prescribed and to the reasonable satisfaction of the
Township, the Township may, at its option, cause such work to be done and
the Grantee will pay to the Township the cost thereof in the itemized
amounts reported by the Township to the Grantee within thirty (30) days
after receipt of such itemized report.
(i) The Grantee may make no paving cuts or curb cuts
without permission from the Township.
(j) The Grantee will install in conduits all cable
passing under any roadway unless exempted by permit.
(k) The Grantee will, at the request of any person
holding a permit to move a building, temporarily raise or lower its wires to
permit the moving of the building.
(1) Such temporary removal, raising, or lowering of
wires will be at the sole cost and expense of the person requesting the
same. The Grantee may require payment for the same in advance before
complying with such request.
(2) Any person making such a request from the Grantee
will give not less than seven (7) business days' notice of the
contemplated move.
(3) Any interruption in service occasioned by the
temporary removal, raising, or lowering of the Grantee's wire in
accordance with this section will not subject the Grantee to any penalty
provided under this chapter. Any interruption in service occasioned
under the provisions of this subsection will be done, as far as is
practicable, outside of prime time (i.e., other than 7:00 P.M. to 11:00
P.M., local time).
(l) The Township has the right, during the life of the
Franchise and any extensions thereto, to install and maintain free of charge
upon the poles of the Grantee, if any, any wire and pole fixtures that do
not unreasonably interfere or compete with the cable system operations of
the Grantee.
Sec. 97. Construction standards and requirements.
(a) All of the Grantee's plant and equipment, including
but not limited to the distribution system, house connections, structures,
poles, wire, cable, coaxial cable, fixtures, and appurtenances located in
the Township will be installed, located, erected, constructed,
reconstructed, removed, replaced, maintained and operated in accordance with
standard engineering practices and applicable federal, state, and local
codes, performed by experienced maintenance and construction personnel so as
not to endanger or interfere with improvements the Township may deem proper
to make, or to interfere in any manner with the rights of any property
owner, or to unnecessarily hinder or obstruct pedestrian or vehicular
traffic on municipal properties.
(b) All of the Grantee's system, including all plant and
equipment and all construction, will meet the Township code as long as the
foregoing is not preempted by federal law or regulations. The
specifications, construction standards, and performance characteristics will
include but not be limited to the following listed construction and
technical standards:
(1) All construction practices will be in accordance
with all applicable sections of the occupational safety and health act,
and any amendments thereto, as well as all state and local codes where
applicable.
(2) All installation of electronic equipment will be
of a permanent nature, durable and installed in accordance with the
provisions of the National Electrical Safety Code and National
Electrical Code as amended.
(3) Antenna-supporting structures (towers), if any,
located in the Township will be designed for the proper loading as
specified in Electronics Industry Association's Specifications.
(4) Antenna-supporting structures (towers), if any,
located in the Township will be painted, lighted, erected, and
maintained in accordance with all applicable rules and regulations of
the federal aviation administration and all other applicable state or
local codes and regulations. RF leakage will be checked at reception
locations for emergency radio services to prove no interference signal
combinations are possible. Stray radiation will be measured adjacent to
any proposed aeronautical navigational reception in the normal flight
patterns. FC C rules and regulations will govern.
Sec. 98. Technical standards.
The cable system will meet all minimum FCC technical
standards.
Sec. 99. Standby power.
The Grantee will maintain equipment capable of providing
standby power for headend, transportation, and trunk amplifiers for a
minimum of four (4) hours.
Sec. 100. Emergency Alert System.
(a) Grantees without charge will install as a part of its
cable system, and will operate throughout the term, an Emergency Alert
System (EAS) (or successor to that system) in accordance with all
requirements imposed from time to time by the FCC.
(b) In establishing Grantee's EAS system pursuant to this
Section, Grantee will:
(1) Designate a channel (which may be the government
channel) which will be used for emergency broadcasts of both audio and
video.
(2) Inform customers of the designated emergency
channel at least daily on at least one channel (which may be the
government channel) of the multi-channel system.
(3) Test the emergency override system not less than
once every three months.
(4) Provide a full video and audio override
capability which can be activated remotely by security measures deemed
mutually agreeable by the Township and Grantee.
(5) Cooperate with the Township on the use and
operation of the emergency alert override system.
Sec. 101. Interconnection.
(a) The cable system will be capable of interconnecting
with all other cable systems in the Township. The Grantee will use its
reasonable best efforts to interconnect public, educational, and
governmental access channels of the cable system with any or all other cable
systems in the Township, upon the directive of the Township. Interconnection
of systems will permit interactive transmission and reception of program
material, and may be done by directive of the Township.
(b) Upon receiving the directive of the Township to
interconnect, the Grantee will immediately initiate negotiation with the
other affected system or systems. The cost will be divided as appropriate by
both Grantees and may be treated as an external cost.
(c) The Grantee may be granted reasonable extensions of
time to interconnect or the Township may rescind its order to interconnect
upon a petition by the Grantee to the Township. The Township may grant the
request if it finds that the Grantee has negotiated in good faith and has
failed to obtain an approval from the system or systems of the proposed
interconnection, or that the cost of the interconnection would cause an
unreasonable or unacceptable increase in subscriber rates.
(d) The Grantee will cooperate with any interconnection
corporation, regional interconnection authority, or Township, county, state,
or federal regulatory agency which may be hereafter established for the
purpose of regulating, financing, or otherwise providing for the
interconnection of cable systems beyond the boundaries of the Township.
Sec. 102. Technological improvements to the system.
In furtherance of the general policy that services
provided be innovative and modern, the Grantee of a Franchise will pursue a
policy of incorporating new technical developments into the system and will
identify and respond to changing community needs and interests regarding
video programming where economically and technically feasible.
Secs. 103 — 120. Reserved.
ARTICLE V. OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE
Sec. 121. Other reports, petitions, and applications.
(a) Upon request, Copies of all petitions, applications,
communications, and reports submitted by the Grantee to the Federal
Communications Commission, Securities and Exchange Commission, or any other
federal or state regulatory commission or agency having jurisdiction in
respect to any matters will be filed concurrently with the Township.
(b) Upon request, The Grantee will submit to the Township
copies of all pleadings, reports, and documents submitted by the Grantee or
received by the Grantee regarding any lawsuits in any federal, state, or
local courts materially relating to the operation of the cable system
in the Township.
(c) The Township has the right to inspect at any time
during normal business hours all books, records, maps, plans, financial
statements, service complaint logs, performance test results, and other like
materials of the Grantee which relate to the operation of the cable system
in the Township. Access to the aforementioned records may not be denied by
the Grantee on the basis that the records contain confidential, privileged,
or proprietary information. Grantee may request that certain information be
treated as confidential.
Sec. 122. Schedules of rates.
The Grantee will maintain and file with the Township a
complete schedule of subscriber rates.
Sec. 123. Disconnections.
If a subscriber has failed to pay properly due monthly
fees or if a subscriber disconnects for seasonal periods, the Grantee may
require, in addition to a reasonable fee for reconnection, full payment of
any delinquent fees.
Sec. 124. Refunds to subscribers and programmers.
(a) If the Grantee fails to provide any service requested
by a subscriber or programmer, the Grantee will, after adequate notification
and being afforded the opportunity to provide the service, promptly make
adjustments to the subscriber bill.
Sec. 125. Continuity of service.
In the event of a change of the Grantee, or in the event
a new operator acquires the cable system, the Grantee will cooperate with
the Township, new Grantee, or operator in maintaining continuity of service
to all consumers and programmers for a period not exceeding six (6) months.
During such period, the Grantee is entitled to the revenues for any period
during which it operates the system, and will be compensated for reasonable
costs incurred in providing any services when it no longer operates the
system.
Sec. 126. Customer service standards.
(a) The Grantee will (1) maintain a payment location in
the Township or within an adjacent community which will be open during all
usual business hours, (2) have a locally listed or toll-free telephone which
is staffed so that complaints and requests for repairs or adjustments may be
received at any time, (3) designate such office as the place where all
notices, directions, orders, and requests may be served or delivered under
this chapter, and (4) provide for regular billings of accounts.
(b) The Grantee will furnish each subscriber, at the time
service is installed. written instructions that clearly set forth procedures
for placing a service call, requesting an adjustment, and for handling
customer complaints. These instructions will also include the name, business
address, and business telephone number of the person designated by the
Township to whom the subscriber can call or write for information regarding
terms and conditions of a Franchise or to whom the subscriber can call or
write if the Grantee fails to respond to the subscriber's request for
installation, service, or adjustment within a reasonable period of time.
(c) The Grantee will maintain a repair force of
technicians capable of responding to subscriber complaints or requests for
service within twenty-four (24) hours after receipt of the complaint or
request.
Sec. 127. Subscriber privacy.
(a)
Cable Tapping Prohibited. Grantees may not,
nor may a Grantee knowingly permit any person, agency, or entity, without
the customer’s consent or court order to tap, or to arrange for the
tapping of any cable, line signal input device, or customer outlet or
receiver for any purpose except routine maintenance of the system, or for
polling with audience participation or audience viewing surveys to support
advertising research regarding viewers where individual viewer behavior
cannot be identified.
(b)
Invasion of Privacy Prohibited.
In the conduct
of providing its services or pursuit of any collateral commercial enterprise
resulting from its services, Grantee will take all action necessary to
prevent an invasion of a customer’s right to privacy as such right is
defined by applicable law. Grantees will not without lawful court order
utilize the Cable System’s interactive two-way equipment or capability for
surveillance of any customer or general citizen outside the normal course of
business.
(c)
Sale of Personalized Data Restricted.
Grantees
may not sell or otherwise make available lists of the names and addresses of
customers, or any list which identifies, by name, customer viewing habits,
or personalized data pertaining to a customer’s use of any Grantee service
without the express written consent of the customer to whom the personalized
data pertains. For purposes of this Section, "personalized data"
means the name and/or address of an individual customer directly associated
with data obtained on his or her use of specific services provided by or
through Grantee. Nothing in a Franchise may be construed to prevent, as a
normal incident of commercial enterprise, the sale or availability of
"non-personalized" or "aggregate data" which is not
personalized data.
Secs. 128 — 145. Reserved.
ARTICLE VI. ADMINISTRATION AND REGULATIONS OF
FRANCHISE
Sec. 146. Regulatory authority.
The Township may exercise appropriate regulatory
authority under the provisions of this chapter and applicable law. This
authority is vested in the cable television regulatory commission. The Board
of Trustees may, by resolution, appoint a cable television regulatory
commission consisting of five persons to perform such duties and to have
such powers as this chapter and the Board of Trustees may determine.
Sec. 147. Regulatory responsibility.
(a) The Township may regulate rates and services subject
to state and federal law, this chapter, and the Franchise and amendments
thereto. Such regulations may include:
(1) Administration and enforcement of the provisions
of the cable ordinance and Franchise.
(2) Rate regulation, if not preempted by Federal law.
(3) Performance evaluation.
(4) Franchise award or renewal.
(b) The Township also reserves the right to perform the
following functions in coordination with the Grantee:
(1) Oversee and coordinate the operation of access
channels.
(2) Provide technical, programming, and operational
support to public agency users, such as the Township departments,
schools, and health care institutions.
(3) Coordinate plans for expansion and growth of
cable services.
(4) Analyze the possibility of integrating cable
systems with other Township, state, or regional telecommunications
networks.
(5) Formulate and recommend long-range
telecommunications policy for the Township.
(c) The cable television regulatory commission's
decisions, rulings, and policies may be appealed to the Board of Trustees by
any party or person aggrieved. The Board of Trustees may uphold or reverse
the ruling or decision or may remand to the cable television regulatory
commission for rehearing or reconsideration.
Sec. 148. Rates and
charges for service.
Subject to state and federal law, the Township reserves
the right to regulate rates for cable service
Sec. 149. Performance review.
(a) In order to monitor the Grantee's performance and
adherence to this chapter and the Franchise, the Township, through the cable
television regulatory commission, and the Grantee may hold scheduled review
sessions within thirty (30) days of the third, sixth, ninth, and twelfth
anniversary dates of the effective date of the Franchise and each three (3)
years thereafter during the term of the Franchise. Special review sessions
may be held at any time during the term of the Franchise at the request of
the Township and/or Grantee.
Sec. 150. Franchise fees.
A Grantee will pay to the Township an annual fee not
exceeding five (5%) percent of the Grantee's annual gross revenues as
defined in the Franchise.
Sec. 151. Payments.
(a) Payment of the Franchise fee will be made quarterly
at the Township treasurer's office. Each payment will be accompanied by a
form financial statement, a copy of which is attached to the
Franchise, setting forth the basis for the computation and specifically
showing the gross revenues attributable to the Franchise during the
preceding quarter.
(b) Each quarterly payment, and payment of any
adjustments from the previous quarter, and accompanying financial statement
will be filed in the Township treasurer's office within forty-five (45) days
after the last day of the quarter for which the payment is due.
(c) The Grantee will file with the Township, within one
hundred twenty (120) days of the close of the Grantee's fiscal year, an
annual report prepared and certified by an officer of the Franchise
corporation, showing annual gross revenues attributable to Grantee's cable
operation in the Township as well as those other items of information
required by this chapter or Franchise . Extension of such period up to
thirty (30) additional days may be granted by the Board of Trustees upon
written request of the Grantee.
(d) The Township has the right to inspect the Grantee's
financial records for its operations in the Township, and the rights of
audit and recomputation of any amounts that may be determined to be payable
under this chapter; provided, however, that such audit will take place
within twelve (12) months from the filing of the Grantee's annual report
with the Township. Any additional amount due the Township as a result of the
audit will be paid within thirty (30) days following written notice and
agreement by the Grantee that the report is accurate in all respects. The
cost of the Township's audit will be borne by the Grantee if it is properly
determined that the Grantee's annual payments to the Township for the
preceding year are increased by more than five (5%) percent.
(e) In the event that any Franchise fee payment or
recomputed amount is not made on or before the applicable dates heretofore
specified, an interest charge of one (1) percent per month, computed from
the due date, shall accrue, commencing 30 days after the due date upon
written notice.
(f) No acceptance of any payment by the Township will be
construed as a release, or as an accord and satisfaction of any claim the
Township may have for further or additional sums payable as a Franchise fee
under this chapter or for the performance of any other obligation of the
Grantee.
Secs. 152 — 170. Reserved.
ARTICLE VII. GENERAL FINANCIAL
AND
INSURANCE PROVISIONS
Sec. 171. Construction bond.
(a) A Grantee required to build a new system, within
thirty (30) days after the effective date of the Franchise, and prior to the
commencement of any construction work by the Grantee, the Grantee, at its
sole expense, will file with the Township a surety bond, in favor of the
Township. The surety bond will be in the amount of one hundred thousand
dollars ($100,000.00) or in any greater amount specified in the Franchise .
The bond will assure the Township of recovery of any damages, losses, costs,
and expenses sustained or suffered by the Township as a result of the
failure of the Grantee to satisfactorily and timely complete and activate
its cable system throughout the Township, pursuant to this chapter and the
Franchise. This bond will be maintained by the Grantee until the system is
75 percent complete as determined by the Board of Trustees. The performance
and surety bond will be issued by a surety company licensed to do business
in the state and acceptable to the Township and in a form approved by the
corporation counsel.
(b) The Township may, upon completion of construction,
waive or reduce the requirement of the Grantee to maintain the bond.
However, the Township may require a performance bond to be posted by the
Grantee for any construction subsequent to the completion of the service
area, in a reasonable amount and upon such terms as determined by the Board
of Trustees not exceeding $10,000.
(c) The bond will contain the following endorsement:
"It is understood and agreed that this bond may not be canceled by the
surety nor the intention not to renew be stated by the surety until thirty
(30) days after receipt by the Township, by registered mail, of a written
notice of such intent to cancel or not to renew."
Sec. 172. Insurance.
(a) The Grantee will maintain throughout the terms of the
Franchise insurance insuring the Township and the Grantee in the minimum
amount of:
(1)
Workers' compensation: As required by
all applicable federal, state, maritime, or other laws.
(2)
Commercial General liability: Commercial
General Liability with a minimum limit of two million dollars
($2,000,000) per occurrence applying to bodily injury and property
damage policy shall also include coverage for contractual liability
and completed operations.
(b) The insurance policies obtained by the Grantee in
compliance with this section must be approved by the Township attorneys as
in compliance with this chapter within thirty (30) days of the execution of
the Franchise. Certificates of such insurance, along with written evidence
of payment of required premiums, will be filed and maintained with the
Township Clerk during the term of the Franchise. Such certified copies may
be changed from time to time to reflect any increase in liability limits.
There may be no decrease in liability limits. The Grantee will immediately
advise the Township of any litigation that may develop that would affect
this insurance.
(c) Neither the provisions of this section nor any
damages recovered by the Township may be construed to limit the liability of
the Grantee under any Franchise issued hereunder, nor may any provision be
construed to excuse the Grantee from the faithful performance of its
obligations under this chapter or Franchise.
(d) All insurance policies maintained pursuant to this
Franchise will name the Township, its employees, agents, boards, and
officers as additional named insured parties with respect to all actions,
errors, and omissions of the Grantee, its agents, or subcontractors, and
will contain the following endorsement:
"It is understood and agreed that this insurance
policy may not be canceled, replaced, materially altered or changed by the
insurer nor the intention not to renew be stated by the insurer until thirty
(30) days after receipt by the Township, by registered mail, of a written
notice of such intention to cancel or not to renew."
Sec. 173. Indemnification.
(a) The Township will not at any time be liable for any
injury or damage occurring to any person or property from any cause
whatsoever arising out of this chapter, the Franchise, or from the use,
operation, or condition of the Grantee's system.
(b) The Grantee will, at its sole cost and expense, fully
indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the Township, its officers, boards,
commissions, and employees, against any and all claims, suits, actions,
liability, and judgments for dama
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