HomeMy WebLinkAboutord1990-026WIMTCOM COUNTY COUNCIL AGENDA BILL NO. U
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SUBJECT.•
WHATCOM COUNTY
COUNCIL
2/15/90 Council -Intro
3/13 Ord. introduced
4/10/90 Council /PS /Hearing
Petition for cable television franchise, filed by Country Cable, Inc.
ATTACHMENTS.
- Petition and map
- Ordinance
Public Hearing Needed? Yes /x No
SUMMARY STATEMENT.•
The petition was received in .the Council Office on 2/6/90. The 25 -year franchise would
allow Country Cable to install the cable tv system in the following areas: Cain Lake Road;
South Bay Drive; all roads within Glenhaven Lake Development; T371V R4E Secs. 31,32,33,34,35
26,27,28,29,30
19,20,21,22,23
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Recommend receipt of petition; then referral to Public Works for ordinance preparation.
A hearing later will be scheduled on the ordinance.
COMMITTEE ACTION (including dates):
COUNCIL ACTION (including dates):
4/10/90 Passed unanimously
Related File Numbers:
Ordinance or Resolution Number. • Ord 90-26
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INTRODUCED BY: Consent
PROPOSED BY: Public Works Dept.
DATE INTRODUCED: 2/15/90
ORDINANCE NO. 90 -26
IN THE MATTER OF GRANTING A NON- EXCLUSIVE FRANCHISE
TO COUNTRY CABLE, INC., FOR A PERIOD OF 25 YEARS
PURSUANT TO STATE LAW AND SECTION 9.30 OF THE WHAT -
COM COUNTY HOME RULE CHARTER, TO OPERATE AND MAIN-
TAIN A CABLE COMMUNICATION SYSTEM WITHIN SPECIFIED
AREAS OF WHATCOM COUNTY.
WHEREAS, the Home Rule Charter for Whatcom County, Section 9.30 autho-
rizes the County Council to grant non - exclusive franchises for a fixed term not
to exceed 25 years for the use of any street, road or public place; and
WHEREAS, R.C.W. Chapter 36.55 provides that the County Council may
grant franchises to persons or private or municipal corporations to use that
right -of -way of County roads in their respective counties for the construction
and maintenance of water works, gas pipes, telephones, telegraph and electrical
light lines, sewers and other such facilities and including cable television
wires and other cable television facilities; and
WHEREAS, Country Cable, Inc., a sole proprietorship, hereinafter refer
to as "the grantee," has applied for a 25 -year non - exclusive franchise to
operate and maintain coaxial cable along certain roads in Whatcom County,
Washington, and notice of this hearing having been duly published on the 21st
and 28th days of March , 1990, in the official newspaper
for Whatcom County, and that it appearing to the County Council that notice of
said hearing having been given as required by law and that it is in the public
interest to grant the franchise for a period of 25 years; and
WHEREAS, in consideration of granting of the non - exclusive franchise,
Whatcom County shall receive a sum equivalent to four (4) percent ( %) of all
gross subscriber revenues from the operation and installation of cable facili-
ties and services and has agreed to the addition of certain administrative pro-
visions to the franchise as provided herein:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Council of Whatcom County,
Washington:
Section 1. Franchise Granted.
(a.) A non - exclusive franchise for Country Cable, Inc., its successors
and assigns, referred to as the grantee, is hereby granted for a
ORDINANCE - 1.
Date drafted: 02/22/90
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period of 25 years commencing on the date this ordinance shall become effective,
the non - exclusive rights and privileges to construct, erect, operate and main-
tain coaxial cable in, upon, along, across, above, over and under public County
roads, highways, alleys and other public ways and public properties of Whatcom
County now laid out or dedicated, and including all extensions thereof and addi-
tions thereto, the poles, wires, cables, underground conduit, manholes, and
other cable conductors and fixtures necessary for the maintenance and operation
of a cable communication system for the distribution of cable service,
including, but not limited to the carriage of television and radio signals and
the cable casting of programing.
(b) The rights and privileges granted herein shall apply to all roads
and public ways identified in Attached Map, and upon the following express
terms and conditions, to wit:
Section 2. Acceptance of Franchise.
(a) No franchise hereunder shall become effective for any purpose
unless and until written acceptance therefore shall have been filed with the
Whatcom County Council and County Director of Public Works and such written
acceptance shall be in form and substance as shall be prescribed and approved by
the County Prosecuting Attorney and operate as an acceptance of each and every
term and condition and limitation contained in this ordinance, and in such
franchise;
(b) Such written acceptance shall be filed by Grantee not later than
the thirtieth day following the effective date of the ordinance granting such
franchise; and in default of the filing of such written acceptance as herein
required, Grantee shall be deemed to have rejected the same.
Section 3. Entering Rights of Way.
The Grantee, its successors and assignees, shall have the right and
authority to enter upon the above - mentioned County roads, rights -of -way and
other County property as designated hereinbefore, for the purposes of
constructing its transmission lines and all necessary facilities connected
therewith, and for repairing all such lines and facilities, and for operating
and maintaining said lines and facilities.
Section 4. Construction Standards.
All construction and installation work along, under or over County
roads or rights -of -way or other County property outside the corporate limits of
any incorporated town shall be subject to the approval and pass the inspection
of the Director of Public Works and shall conform to all applicable County,
State and Federal minimum standards, codes or regulations, and the County
expressly reserves the right to prescribe how and where mains, poles, lines, and
wires shall be installed and may from time to time upon reasonable notice,
require the removal and replacement thereof in the public interest.
ORDINANCE - 2.
Date drafted: 02/22/90
Section 5. Construction Application.
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(a) Prior to commencement of construction of said transmission lines or
3 acilities, Grantee shall first file with the Director of Public Works its
pplication for permit to do such work, together with plans and specifications
4 in duplicate showing the position and location of all such lines and facilities
ought to be constructed, laid, installed or erected at that time, showing their
5 elative position to existing County roads, rights -of -way or other County pro -
erty upon plans drawn to scale, hereinafter collectively referred to as the
6 'map of definite location."
7 (b) The lines and appurtenant facilities shall be laid in substantial
ompliance with said map of definite location, except in instances in which
8 leviation may be allowed thereafter in writing by the Director of Public Works
ursuant to application by Grantee. The plans and specifications shall specify
g he class and type of material and equipment to be used, manner of excavation,
onstruction, installation, backfill, erection of temporary structures, erection
10 f permanent structures, traffic control, traffic turnouts and road obstruction,
Ac. No such construction shall be commenced without the Grantee first securing
11 1 written permit from the Director of Public Works, including approval endorsed
n one set of plans and specifications returned to the Grantee. All such work
12 hall be subject to the approval of and shall pass the inspection of the
irector of Public Works. Any and all approvals required of the Director of
13. ublic Works, pursuant to this section, shall not be unreasonably withheld. The
rantee shall, in compliance with Whatcom County Ordinance No. 88 -79 (an ordi-
14 ance providing for the issuance of revocable encroachment permits for work in
ounty roads and rights -of -way) and County Development Standards, pay all permit
15 ees as required. The Grantee shall pay all actual and necessary costs of and
xpenses incurred in the examination, inspection and approval of such work on
16 pccount of granting the said permits.
17 11 Section 6. Construction on Roadways /Other County Property.
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(a) In any work which requires breaking of soil of the County roads,
ights -of -way or other County property subject to this Franchise for the purpose
f laying, relaying, connecting, disconnecting and repairing the said
ransmission lines and facilities, and making connections between the same to
tructures and buildings of consumers or making connections to other facilities
f the Grantee now in existence or hereafter constructed, the Grantee shall be
overned by and conform to the general rules adopted by the officers charged
ith the supervision and care of such County roads, rights -of -way, and other
ounty property; and the Grantee at its own expense and with all convenient
peed shall complete the work for which the soil has been broken and forthwith
eplace the work and make good the County road, rights -of -way or other County
roperty and leave the same in as good condition as before the work was com-
enced.
ORDINANCE - 3.
Date drafted: 02/22/90
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(b) Applications for permits referred to in Section 5 above shall be
accompanied by specifications for the restoration of the County road, rights -of-
way or other County property and to the same or better condition as it was prior
to such breaking, and such specifications must be approved by the Director of
Public Works before such breaking of the soil is commenced. Provided, that the
Director of Public Works shall require compliance with the Whatcom County
Revocable Encroachment Ordinance ( Whatcom County Ordinance No. 88 -79) and County
Development Standards to insure that such County roads, rights -of -way or other
County property shall be restored to the same or better condition as it was
prior to the breaking of the soil. The Grantee, in addition to any other such
requirements contained herein, shall be subject to the conditions and penalties
as provided in Whatcom County Ordinance No. 88 -79.
(c) The Director of Public Works may at any time, do order, or have
done any and all work that is considered necessary to restore to a safe con-
dition any such County road, rights -of -way or other County property left by the
Grantee or its agents in a condition dangerous to life or property, and the
Grantee upon demand shall pay to the County all actual costs of such work.
Section 7. Construction - Other Lines and Facilities.
(a) All construction or installation of such lines and facilities,
service repair or relocation of same, performed over, above, along or under the
County roads, rights -of -way or other County property subject to this Franchise
shall be done in such a manner as not to interfere with the construction and
maintenance of other utilities lines, public or private, drains, drainage
ditches and structures, irrigation ditches and structures located therein, nor
with the grading or improvement of such County roads, rights -of -way or other
County property.
(b) The owners of all utilities, public or private, installed prior in
time to the line and facilities of the Grantee shall have preference as to the
positioning and location of such utilities so installed with respect to the
Grantee. Such preference shall continue in the event of the necessity of relo-
cating or changing the grade of any such County road or right -of -way.
Section 8. Construction - Public Safety and Inconvenience.
All work done under this Franchise shall be done in a thorough and
workmanlike manner. In the laying of transmission lines and the construction of
other facilities and the opening of trenches, the tunneling under County roads,
rights -of -way or other County property, the Grantee shall leave such trenches,
ditches and tunnels in such a way as to interfere as little as possible with
public travel and shall take all due and necessary precautions to guard the
same, so that damage or injury shall not occur or arise by reason of such work;
and where any of such trenches, ditches, or tunnels are left open at night, the
Grantee shall place warning lights and barricades at such a position as to give
adequate warning of such work. The Grantee shall be liable for any injury to
person or persons or damage to property sustained through its carelessness or
neglect, or through any failure or neglect to properly guard or give warning of
any trenches, ditches or tunnels dug or ma'inta'ined by the Grantee.
ORDINANCE - 4.
Date drafted: 02/22/90
1 Section 9. County Rights Reserved.
2 The County of Whatcom in granting this Franchise, does not waive any
rights which it has now or may hereafter acquire with respect to County roads,
3 rights -of -way or other County property and this Franchise shall not be construed
4 to deprive the County of any powers, rights or privileges which it now has or
may hereafter acquire to regulate the use of and to control the County roads,
5 rights -of -way or other County property covered by this Franchise. This
Franchise shall be subject to the power of eminent domain, and in any proceeding
6 under eminent domain, the Franchise itself shall have no value.
7 11 Section 10. Relocation of Lines and Facilities.
8 (a) If at any time, the County of Whatcom shall improve or change any
County road, right -of -way or other County property subject to this Franchise by
9 grading or regrading, planking or paving the same, changing the grade, altering,
changing, repairing or relocating the same or by constructing drainage facili-
ties, or in the event that such County road, right -of -way or other County pro-
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perty subject to this Franchise shall become a Primary State Highway as provided
11 by law, the Grantee upon written notice from the Director of Public Works or the
Director of Highways, shall at its sole expense, within thirty (30) working days
change the location or readjust the elevation of its transmission lines and
12 other facilities so that the same shall not interfere with such County work and
13_ so that such lines and facilities shall conform to such new grades or routes as
1-nay be established. The County of Whatcom shall in no wise be held liable for
any damages to said Grantee that may occur by reason of any of the County's
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improvements, changes or works above enumerated.
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(b) All work to be performed by the Grantee under this section shall
be under the direction and approval, and shall pass the inspection of the
Director of Public Works. The Grantee shall pay all actual and necessary costs
and expenses incurred in the examination, inspection and approval of such work.
Section 11. County Road Work Permitted.
The laying, construction, operation and maintenance of the Grantee's
transmission lines and facilities authorized by this Franchise shall not
preclude the County of Whatcom, its agents or its contractors from blasting,
grading, excavating or doing other necessary road work contiguous to the said
lines and facilities of the Grantee provided that the Grantee shall be given
forty -eight (48) hours notice of said blasting or other work in order that the
Grantee may protect its lines and facilities.
Section 12. Monuments and Survey Markers.
(a). Before any work is performed under this Franchise which may affect
any existing monuments or markers of any nature relating to subdivisions, plats,
roads and all other surveys, the Grantee shall reference all such monuments and
markers. The reference points shall be so located that they will not be
disturbed during the Grantee's operations under this Franchise. The method of
ORDINANCE - 5.
Date drafted: 02/22/90
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referencing these monuments or other points to be referenced shall be approved
by the Director of Public Works. The replacement of all such monuments or other
points to be referenced shall be approved by the Director of Public Works. The
replacement of all such monuments or markers disturbed during construction shall
be made as expeditiously as conditions permit, and as directed by the Director
of Public Works. The cost of monuments or other markers lost, destroyed or
disturbed, and the expense of replacement by approved monuments shall be borne
by the Grantee.
(b) A complete set of reference notes for monuments and other ties
shall be filed with the Whatcom County Director of Public Works.
Section 13. Vacations.
If at any time the County of Whatcom shall vacate any County road,
right -of -way or other County property which is subject to the rights granted by
this Franchise and said vacation shall be for the purpose of acquiring the fee
of other property interest in said road, rights -of -way or other County property
for the use of Whatcom County, in either its proprietary or governmental capa-
city, then the Council of Whatcom County may at its option and by giving sixty
(60) days written notice to the Grantee, terminate this Franchise with reference
to such County road, rights -of -way or other County property so vacated, and the
County of Whatcom shall not be liable for any damages or loss to the Grantee by
reason of such termination.
Section 14. Indemnification.
(a) The Grantee by acceptance of the privileges granted hereunder,
does hereby agree and covenant to indemnify, defend, and save harmless Whatcom
County and those persons who were, are now, or shall be duly elected or
appointed officials or members or employees thereof, against and from any loss,
damage, costs, charges, expenses, liability, claims, demands or judgments what-
soever kind or nature whether to persons or property, arising wholly or par-
tially out of any act, action, neglect, omissions or default on the part of the
Grantee, his sub - contractors and /or employees which may occur by reason of
construction, operation and maintenance of the Grantee's said transmission lines
and facilities. In case that suit or action is brought against the County of
Whatcom for damages arising out of or by reason of the above - mentioned causes,
the Grantee will upon notice to him of the filing of a claim or the commencement
of said action, appear and defend the same at its sole cost and expense, and in
case judgment shall be rendered against the County of Whatcom in suit or action,
the Grantee will fully satisfy said judgment within ninety (90) days after said
suit or action shall have finally been determined, if determined adversely to
Whatcom County. Upon the Grantee's failure to satisfy said judgment within a
ninety (90) day period, this Franchise shall at once cease and terminate and the
County of Whatcom shall have a lien upon the tramsission lines and all other
facilities used in its construction, operation and maintenance of the Grantee's
transmission system which may be enforced against the property for the full
amount of any such judgment so taken against Whatcom County.
ORDINANCE - 6.
Date drafted: 02/22/90
1 (b) Acceptance by the County of any work performed by the Grantee at
2 the time of completion shall not be grounds for avoidance of this covenant.
3 Section 15. Non - Exclusive Franchise.
4 This Franchise shall not be deemed to be an exclusive franchise. It
hall in no manner prohibit the County of Whatcom from granting other franchises
5 f a like nature or franchises for other public or private utilities, under,
long, across, over and upon any of the County roads, rights -of -way, or other
6 ounty property subject to franchise, and shall in no wise prevent or prohibit
he County of Whatcom from construction, altering, maintaining, using or
7 vacating any of said roads, rights -of -way, drainage structures or facilities,
irrigation structures or facilities, or any other County property or affect its
8 jurisdiction over them with full power to make all necessary changes, reloca-
tions, repairs, maintenance, as the County may deem fit.
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Section 16. Successors and Assignees.
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All the provisions, conditions, regulations and requirements herein
11 ontained shall be binding upon the successors and assignees of the Grantee, and
11 privileges, as well as all obligations and liabilities of the Grantee shall
12 inure to its successors and assignees equally as if they were specifically men -
ioned wherever the Grantee is mentioned herein.
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Section 17. Transferability.
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Neither this Franchise nor any interest therein shall be sold, trans -
15 erred or assigned without the previous consent in writing of the Council of
[hatcom County, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld.
16 Section 18. Incorporation.
17 Whenever any of the County roads, rights -of -way or other County prop -
18 2rty as designated in this Franchise, by reason of the subsequent incorporation
f any town or city, or extension of the limits of any town or city, shall fall
19 Othin the city or town limits this Franchise shall continue in force and effect
p n to all County roads, rights -of -way or other County property not so included
20 city or town limits.
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Section 19. Construction /Extension Plan.
22 Five (5) years from the date of this Franchise, the rights conferred
ereby to the Grantee may, at the election of the Council of Whatcom County and
23 ursuant to notice, be terminated with respect to those County roads, rights -of-
ay and other County property or portions thereof upon which the Grantee has not
24 aid, constructed and placed in operation its lines and facilities. The Grantee
hall extend its facilities and offer its services to all areas within the
25 ranchise area which are contiguous to existing service areas, but which are not
urrently served, provided there are 30 assured subscribers per mile of aerial
26 istribution cable (60 potential subscribers per mile of underground distribu-
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DI NANCE - 7
to drafted: 02/22/90
1 ion cable) of new construction required. Such construction and services ren-
t ered in new building areas will be subject to and governed by the provisions of
his franchise ordinance. If Grantee does not so extend its facilities and ser-
a ices within a reasonable time, upon request made by subscribers, the County's
pele remedy shall be to terminate Grantee's rights as to such area not served as
4 t forth in the first sentence of this section.
5 Section 20. Installation Specifications.
6 In preparing plans and specifications for the installation of trans -
iission lines along or across County roads and rights -of -way, the Grantee shall
use as a guide the standards and specifications contained in the National
Electrical Safety Code (National Bureau of Standards); National Electrical Code
8 National Bureau of Fire Underwriters); Bell System Code of Pole Line Construc-
ion; applicable FCC or other Federal, State or local codes and regulations;
9 State and municipal construction standards.
10 Section 21. Enforcement /Remedies.
11 (a) If the Grantee shall willfully violate, or fail to comply with
ny of the provisions of this franchise through willful or unreasonable neglect,
12 r fail to heed or comply with any notice given the Grantee under the provisions
f this franchise, then the said Grantee shall forfeit all rights conferred
13. ereunder, and this Franchise may be revoked or annulled by the Council of
hatcom County. In addition to any rights implied or set out elsewhere in this
14 rdinance, the Council reserves the right to apply, at its sole option, any one
r combination of the following in the event the company violates any provisions
15 f the franchise:
16 (1) Levy an assessment of actual damages.
17 (2) Reduce the duration of the franchise on such basis as the
rbitrator may deem reasonable and justified.
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(3) Require a reduction in the company's rates by such amount or
19 mounts as may be necessary to remedy the violation.
20 (4) Require the company to make payments or refunds to its custo-
ers or classes of customers in such amount as may be necessary to remedy the
21 iolation.
22 (5) Require the company to correct or otherwise remedy the viola -
ion prior to any consideration of implementation of rate increase if the viola -
23 ion relates to rates.
24 (6) Require the company to specifically comply with the terms and
onditions of the franchise ordinance.
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ate drafted: 02/22/90
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1 (b) In the event of a dispute over a violation of the provisions o,
his franchise either party may submit resolution of the violation to arbitra-
2 ion. The matter shall be determined by a board of three (3) arbitrators, all
f whom shall be citizens and taxpayers of the State of Washington, and shall be
3 elected as follows: One by the County Council, one by the Grantee, and one by
he two so appointed. Should the two arbitrators be unable to name a third,
4 uch third arbitrator shall be named by a judge of the Superior Court for
hatcom County. Said board shall make its decision in writing and file its
5 Jecision with the parties within sixty (60) days from the date of the appoint -
ent of the final arbitrator. The decision of the board shall be by a majority
6 vote and signed by at least two arbitrators. The written decision shall be
final and binding upon the parties.
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Section 22. Eminent Domain /Reservation of Home Rule Charter Rights.
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This franchise shall be subject to the power of eminent domain and the
g fight of the Council or the people acting for themselves through the initiative
r referendum to repeal, amend or modify the franchise in the interest of the
10 ublic. In any proceeding under eminent domain the franchise itself shall have
o value. This section sets forth the requirements of Section 9.30 of the
11 hatcom County Home Rule Charter and shall remain in affect so long as the
harter provision is valid.
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Section 23. Compliance with Laws and Regulations.
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This franchise is subject to, and the Grantee shall comply with all
14 applicable Federal, State, County or municipal laws, regulations and policies
affecting performance under this franchise.
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Section 24. Franchise Payments to County.
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(a) In consideration of the granting of this Franchise and to compen-
sate Whatcom County for the Grantee's occupancy of County roads, rights -of -way
and other County property, as well as the expenses incurred in processing this
rant and to be incurred in connection with pedriodic inspections and control as
rovided herein, the Grantee shall pay to Whatcom County, annually a sum
quivalent to four (4) percent ( %) of the gross subscriber revenues received
From the installation and operation of its facilities and /or services to patrons
erved from lines, wires, cables or other devices installed along, under or over
public rights -of -way or across County property as herein granted. Said sum
shall be due and payable in United States dollars. The term "gross subscriber
revenues" is meant to include only those revenues derived from the supplying of
basic subscriber service; that is, the installation fees, disconnect and recon-
nect fees, and fees for regular cable benefits including the transmission of
broadcast signals and access and origination channels if any. It does not
include revenues derived from per - program or per- channel charges, leased channel
revenues, advertising revenues, or any other income derived from the system nor
shall such term include any taxes on ser vices furnished by the Grantee which
are imposed directly on any subscriber or user by the State, County or any
other governmental unit and collected by the Grantee on behalf of such govern-
mental unit.
ORDINANCE - 9
Date drafted: 02/22/90
I (b) The Grantee's annual payments shall be remitted no later than the
2 0th day following the end of the annual period covered by the payment. The
rantee shall be subject to a penalty of ten percent (10 %) per annum of the sum
3 delinquent, during the term delinquent; and further provided that this franchise
and all rights and privileges granted hereunder shall terminate and be forfeited
4 'f Grantee should exceed three months delinquent in the submission of the annual
ayments hereunder required, after receiving written notice from Whatcom County
5 f the delinquency to the local systems office by certified mail.
6 Section 25. Franchise Payments to County Not In Lieu of Other Taxes.
7 Any franchise payments to the County by Grantee shall not be in lieu
f any occupation, income, license, or property tax or similar levy, assess -
8 ent, fee, or charge which would otherwise apply to and be payable by Grantee.
o privileges or rights granted hereunder shall exempt Grantee from any future
9 niform rent, license, tax charge, or impost which may hereafter be required
y the Grantor, for revenue or as reimbursement for use and occupancy of
10 ublic ways, and failure to timely remit any sums properly due thereby, shall
e cause for forfeiture of rights hereunder.
11 11 Section 26. Inspection and Information.
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ary to carry out the provisions of this ordinance, permit any duly -
uthorized agent or representative of the County to examine all franchise
roperty of Grantee, together with any appurtenant property of Grantee
ituated within or without the County, and to examine and transcribe all maps
nd other records kept or maintained by Grantee, or under the control or
irection, or at the request of Grantee, which treat of the franchise opera -
ions, affairs, transactions, or property of the Grantee.
(b) Any of such maps or such other records which are not situated
ithin the County and which are not made available in the County within a reaso-
able time after written request therefor by the Council or the Prosecuting
ttorney, shall be produced for examination wherever the same shall be situated
nd Grantee shall pay all travel and other expenses necessary or reasonably
ncurred by the County, its agents, and representatives in making such examina-
ion.
(c) Grantee shall prepare and furnish to the Director of Public Works,
t such times and in such form as prescribed by the Director, references and
aterials with respect to the operations, affairs, transactions or property of
rantee, as may be reasonably necessary or appropriate to the performance of any
f the duties of the County of Whatcom.
Section 27. Services to Consumers /Public.
(a) The Grantee shall:
RDINANCE - 10.
ate drafted: 02/22/90
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(1) Correct malfunctions promptly, but in no event later than
twenty -four (24) hours after occurrence except for Acts of God and other con-
ditions beyond the control of the Grantee, in which cases the Grantee shall
correct the malfunctions with all deliberate speed.
(2) Promptly answer complaints by users.
(3) Give 24 -hour notice to users of planned interruptions of
service, insofar as is possible, and attempt to have such interruptions occur
during periods of minimum use of the system.
(4) Maintain an office within Whatcom County, which office shall
be open during all usual business hours, with its telephone listed in direc-
tories of the telephone company serving the County, which office shall be so
operated that complaints and requests for repairs or adjustments may be received
at any time, day or night, seven days a week; and provide notice of such office
and the Grantee's complaint procedure to each user at the time of initial
subscription to the system.
(5) Maintain a written record, or log, listing date of customer
complaints identifying the user and describing the nature of the complaint, and
when and what action was taken by Grantee in response thereto. Said record
shall be kept at Grantee's local office, for a period of five (5) years, and
shall be available for inspection during regular business hours, without further
notice or demand, by the manager.
(6) Provide services to consumers as delineated in the rate
schedule as provided herein.
(b) County Complaint Procedures. The Director of Public Works shall
have the primary responsibility for the administration of complaints regarding
franchises and the County Executive shall approve procedures to be followed by
the Director in resolving and processing such complaints. In the event that
the parties cannot resolve the subscriber complaint to their mutual satisfac
tion, the subscriber is free to pursue all remedies available to him.
(c) To promote the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of
Whatcom County, the County Council may request, and the Company shall provide,
the following:
(1) At least one special designated non - commercial local origi-
nation channel available on a first come, non - discriminatory basis for the
purpose of public service programming and for use by local educational,
governmental and emergency authorities.
(2) The company shall provide, without charge, one service drop
(line) at each public facility designated by the County, that is passed by
existing cable up to a maximum of five (5) drops.
ORDINANCE - 11
Date drafted: 02/22/90
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Section 28. Insurance.
(a) Upon acceptance of such franchise, the Grantee shall file with
the Whatcom County Council, and shall thereafter, during the entire term of
such franchise, maintain in full force and effect, a corporate insurance
policy or other adequate surety agreement in the amount of FIVE HUNDRED
THOUSAND DOLLARS ($500,000.00) for property damage coverage, and THREE HUNDRED
THOUSAND DOLLARS ($300,000.00) for public liability coverage, so as to protect
the County against damages or costs as set forth in Section 14 above, and
there shall be recoverable, jointly and severally from the principal and
surety, any such damages or costs suffered or incurred by the County, includ-
ing attorneys' fees and costs of any action, or proceedings, and including the
full amount of any compensation, indemnification, cost of removal of any pro-
perty or other costs which may be incurred up to the full principal amount of
such insurance policy; and said condition shall be a continuing obligation
during the entire term of such franchise and thereafter until Grantee shall
have satisfied in full any and all obligations to the County and any user
which arise out of or pertain to said franchise. Neither the provisions of
this section, nor any insurance policy accepted by the County pursuant hereto,
nor any damages recovered by the County thereunder, shall be construed to
excuse faithful performance by the Grantee, or limit the liability of the
Grantee under any franchise issued pursuant to this ordinance.
(b) The Prosecuting Attorney, at the request of the County Council,
may review the dollar amount of said insurance policy and adjust the amount of
coverage as deemed appropriate within each five years of the length of the
franchise.
Section 29. Repealers.
All other prior existing franchises granted to Country Cable, Inc.
shall be repealed, and the terms of the franchise granted hereunder shall become
effective at such time as an acceptance of franchise is filed by the Grantee
with the County in accordance with Section 2 herein.
Section 30. Severability.
If any portion of the ordinance is deemed invalid, the remainder will
remain in effect.
Section 31. Titles.
The section titles used herein are for reference only and should not
be used for the purpose of interpreting this ordinance.
Section 32. Force Majeure Clause.
The Grantee shall not be deemed in default of any provisions of this
franchise or subjected to any penalties hereunder where performance or
ORDINANCE - 12
Date drafted: 02/22/90
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2 ompliance is prevented by Acts of God, civil emergencies, national disasters
r acts of third parties that are neither agents, employees, nor affiliates of
3 he Grantee which are beyond the Grantee's reasonable abilities to control.
4 APPROVED this loth day of April 1990
5 TTEST: WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
6 WHATCOM COIF WA INGTON
7 r
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�afnona Reeves onald G e
lerk of the Council Chairperson
9 ( ✓) APPROVED
( ) VETOED
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SHIRLEY VAN Z NTEN
12 PP. 0 FORM: County Executive
Aq
13. Date: ��G
�, Civil
14 eputy Prosecuting Attorney
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Date drafted: 02/22/90
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