[MC 1997-10, § 1, July 7, 1997; MC 1998-21, § 1, July 6, 1998; MC 2002-01, § 1, February 4, 2002]
There is hereby established and confirmed within the City of Plainfield the Cable Television Board which shall be solely comprised of eleven (11) residents of the City of Plainfield consisting of the following six (6) classes:
Class I. The Mayor or his designee.
Class II. One (1) of the officials of the City of Plainfield other than a member of the City Council to be appointed by the Mayor.
Class III. Three (3) members of the City Council.
Class IV. One (1) member representing officials of the Board of Education.
Class V. One (1) member representing the Plainfield Public Library.
Class VI. Four (4) members who are citizens of the City of Plainfield. Such members of Class VI shall not be employees of the City.
Class VI Alternate Members: Not more than three (3) Alternate Members designated Alternate No. 1, Alternate No. 2 and Alternate No. 3 shall be appointed and so designated at the time of appointment by the Mayor and shall meet qualifications of Class VI. Alternate Members may participate in discussions of the proceedings but may not vote except in the absence or disqualification of a regular member of any class. A vote shall not be delayed in order that a regular member may vote instead of an Alternate Member. In the event that a choice must be made as to which Alternate Member is to vote, Alternate No. 1 shall vote unless unavailable or disqualified, in which event Alternate No. 2 shall vote unless unavailable or disqualified, in which event Alternate No. 3 shall vote.
[MC 1997-10, § 1, July 7, 1997; MC 1998-21, § 1, July 6, 1998; MC 2002-01, § 1, February 4, 2002]
All appointments to the Cable Television Board shall be made by the Mayor with the advice and consent of the City Council. The term of the Class I member shall correspond with his/her official tenure. The terms of the Class II and III members shall be for their respective terms of office. The terms of Classes IV and V members shall be for a period of three (3) years or will terminate at the expiration of their terms of office or employment, whichever occurs first. The term of a Class VI member shall be for a period of three (3) years. The terms of the Alternate Members shall be for three (3) years, except that the terms of the Alternate Members shall be such that the term of not more than one (1) member shall expire in any one (1) year. Alternate No. 1 shall initially be appointed for a one (1) year term. Alternate No. 2 shall initially be appointed for a two (2) year term. Alternate No. 3 shall initially be appointed for a three (3) year term. Thereafter, the terms of each Alternate Member shall be for a three (3) year term.
[MC 1997-10, § 1, July 7, 1997; MC 1998-21, § 1, July 6, 1998; MC 2002-01, § 1, February 4, 2002]
If a vacancy of any class shall occur otherwise than by expiration of terms, it shall be filled by appointment as above provided for the unexpired term. A vacancy of any Alternate occurring otherwise than by expiration of term, shall be filled by the Mayor with the advice and consent of the City Council for the unexpired term only.
[MC 1997-10, § 1, July 7, 1997; MC 1998-21, § 1, July 6, 1998; MC 2002-01, § 1, February 4, 2002]
(a) 
The members of the Board shall organize annually. The Board shall elect a Chairman and Vice Chairman from the members of Class VI and select a Secretary who shall be a City employee designated by it. The Board shall adopt bylaws and regulations for the conduct of the business of the Board. All members shall serve without financial compensation.
(b) 
For each month during the three (3) years preceding the renewal of any franchise, the Cable Television Board shall meet at least once a month.
[MC 1997-10, § 1, July 7, 1997; MC 1998-21, § 1, July 6, 1998; MC 2002-01, § 1, February 4, 2002]
The Board shall also have the following powers and duties:
(a) 
To establish, amend and supplement its own bylaws to govern its structure, operations and activities to the extent not inconsistent with this section or any other Federal, State or local regulation or law;
(b) 
To make recommendations to the Mayor and the Council with respect to any matters relating to cable television or telecommunications and video facilities within the City of Plainfield or the County of Union;
(c) 
To prepare an annual report of its activities with recommendations to the Mayor and Council and, at such times as the Mayor or the Council shall request or the Board shall deem advisable;
(d) 
To act as liaison between the Council and all other entities involved in cable or telecommunications activities and/or programming in the community;
(e) 
To review the cable television system franchise in the City of Plainfield and see to the compliance thereof by the franchise holder;
(f) 
To encourage and promote the full utilization of the cable television system resources by its residents, schools, public bodies, citizen organizations and the general public;
(g) 
To encourage and coordinate the use of all available technical equipment and expertise needed by the public and private organizations and private individuals to produce cable television programs;
(h) 
To examine all possible means of attracting public and private funding which would enhance the public's opportunity to fully benefit from the use of the cable television system including, but not limited to, the Plainfield Cable Television Municipal Access Channel(s);
(i) 
To apply for or work with other entities to apply for and receive public and private funds for the purpose of performing responsibilities under this section. The Board may disburse, with the advice and consent of the Council, such stipulated funds as may be donated to the City of Plainfield for the advancement of specific projects or the general purpose of the Board;
(j) 
To propose appropriate procedures to the cable television franchise holder regarding the scheduling and programming of public access, municipal government and educational channels. Any procedures should be so designated as to facilitate the free and open use of these channels, and they shall not be in conflict with any existing or future Federal, State or local laws or regulations regarding the public use of the CATV System;
(k) 
To serve as an advisory body to the Council and the cable television system franchise holder in resolving disputes and citizen complaints relating to the service and the use of public access, municipal or educational channels of the cable television system;
(l) 
To prepare an annual operating report to the Council in cooperation with the franchise holder as to the status and progress of the cable television system for the previous twelve (12) months;
(m) 
To recommend any changes and improvements in the Municipal Consent Ordinance, provided that such changes are acceptable to the Council as well as the franchise holder;
(n) 
To report regularly to the Mayor and the Council regarding the Board's performance of its responsibilities; and
(o) 
To perform such other duties as are assigned to it by ordinance or resolution of the City Council for the aid and assistance of the City Council or other agencies.
(p) 
Work with, interact with, oversee (if applicable) and coordinate with any entity that operates, oversees and/or administers the operations of the Plainfield Cable Television Access Channel(s) as may be authorized by the Governing Body.
[MC 2002-01, § 1, February 4, 2002]
All of the cable television franchise fees received by the City from the subcommittee franchise holder shall be dedicated and appropriated for operational costs and expenses of the municipal cable television access channel(s).
[MC 1997-10, § 1, July 7, 1997; MC 1998-21, § 1, July 6, 1998; MC 2002-01, § 1, February 4, 2002]
If any of the provisions of this section are inconsistent with, or contrary to, the provisions of any Federal or State law or regulation regarding the subject matter hereof, the provisions of such Federal or State law or regulations shall govern and control.