Chapter 1.32
CABLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Sections:
1.32.010 Cable advisory committee created—Duties.
1.32.020 Appointment and term of members.
1.32.030 Appointment of the chairperson, vice-chairperson, and secretary.
1.32.040 Meetings—Removal of members.
1.32.010 Cable advisory committee created—Duties.
A cable advisory committee is hereby created as an advisory body to make recommendations to the city council on issues affecting the operation of the access channel capacity of the cable television communications system franchised by city of Yakima Ordinance No. 93-115 and hereinafter called access channel capacity. (Ord. 97-49 § 1 (part), 1997: Ord. 2316 § 1 (part), 1979).
1.32.020 Appointment and term of members.
A. The city council shall, by simple majority, appoint ten residents of the city of Yakima as members of the committee.
B. Each member shall serve for three years and shall be eligible for reappointment; provided, that original terms shall be designated by the city council as follows: three members shall serve one year, three members shall serve for two years, and four members shall serve for three years. Any vacancy shall be filled for the unexpired term in the same manner as original appointments.
C. Members shall be selected from various backgrounds and the overall committee composition shall reflect the diversity of population of the city of Yakima, including its racial, sexual, ethnic, cultural, educational and work force segments as well as other aspects of the community; provided, no member shall be in any way affiliated with a local cable franchise. (Ord. 97-49 § 1 (part), 1997: Ord. 2316 § 1 (part), 1979).
1.32.030 Appointment of the chairperson, vice-chairperson, and secretary.
A. At the first meeting of the committee after January 1st of each year, the members of the committee shall appoint one of their number as the chairperson, one as vice-chairperson, and one as secretary, which persons shall hold office for one year and until their successors are appointed. (Ord. 97-49 § 1 (part), 1997: Ord. 2316 § 1 (part), 1979).
1.32.040 Meetings—Removal of members.
A. The committee shall hold a regular meeting at least once each calendar month. If a member of the committee does not attend two consecutive regular monthly meetings, unless excused by vote of the committee, his or her membership shall automatically terminate. Special meetings may be called at any time by the chairperson, vice-chairperson or by three members requesting a special meeting. Minutes of each meeting shall be kept by the secretary and sent to the city manager and city council.
B. Any member of the committee may be removed from office by a vote of the majority of the members of the city council. (Ord. 97-49 § 1 (part), 1997: Ord. 2316 § 1 (part), 1979).
1.32.050 Duties.
The committee shall:
A. Meet together with the board of regents of Yakima Community College, the boards of the local public television and radio broadcasting licensees, and the grantee to develop a plan for maximum community involvement and utilization of the access channel. Said plan shall include appropriate safeguards against direct and indirect program censorship and governmental interference with, or control of, program content and shall be presented to the city council for approval within twelve months of the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter.
B. Submit annually a written advisory report to the city council reviewing said plan, recommending changes in it, and describing fully the actions of the committee for the preceding year.
C. Assure that the operation of the access channel capacity remains free from direct or indirect program, censorship, and governmental interference with, or control of, program content.
D. Consider unresolved complaints and disagreements between franchises and subscribers or users of the cable communications system and make recommendations to the council thereon.
E. Advise the council on the regulation of rates in accordance with the provisions of Section 7.4 of city of Yakima Ordinance No. 93-115.
F. Receive and evaluate reports from local cable franchises and the cable communications division and advise the council regarding the general policy relating to the cable services provided subscribers and the operation of access and leased access (if any), with a view to maximizing the diversity and usefulness of programs and services to subscribers.
G. Assist the council in its consideration of applications for new, transfer and renewal franchises.
H. Perform such other advisory duties as the council may from time to time assign the cable advisory committee. (Ord. 97-49 § 1 (part), 1997: Ord. 2316 § 1 (part), 1979).