§ 26-21. Technical standards.

(a)

Any cable system within the county shall at minimum meet the technical standards of the FCC or other applicable federal or state technical standards, including any such standards as hereinafter may be amended or adopted. All television signals transmitted on a cable system shall include any closed circuit captioning information for the hearing impaired. Antennas, supporting structures, and outside plant used in the system shall be designed to comply with all generally accepted industry practices and standards and with all federal, state, county, and/or utility laws, ordinances, rules, and regulations.

(b)

All construction, installation, and maintenance shall comply with the National Electrical Safety Code, the National Electric Code, and all laws and accepted industry practices, and as hereinafter may be amended or changed.

(c)

As required by FCC rules, the franchisee shall perform at its expense proof of performance tests designed to demonstrate compliance with FCC requirements. The franchisee shall provide, upon written request, the proof of performance test results to the county within 30 days after completion. The county shall have the right to inspect the cable system facilities and a franchisee's records during reasonable business hours to ensure compliance with the requirements of the franchise agreement, this chapter, FCC and other applicable standards. The county may pursue appropriate remedies, including fines pursuant to this chapter, to enforce the FCC's technical standards.

(d)

The county may require any other tests as specified in a franchise agreement or applicable law to be performed at the expense of the franchisee. Upon request, the franchisee shall provide the test results to the county within 30 days of completion of such other tests.

(e)

Upon request, the franchisee shall provide the county ten days advance written notice when a proof of performance or test required in (c) and (d) above is scheduled so that the county may have an observer present.

(f)

A franchisee shall not design, install, or operate its facilities in a manner that will interfere with the signals of any broadcast station, the facilities of any public utility, the cable system of another franchisee, or individual or master antennas used for receiving television or other broadcast signals.

(Ord. No. 02-18, § 2, 7-30-02)