The captions to sections throughout this chapter are intended
solely to facilitate reading and reference to the sections and provisions
of this chapter. Such captions shall not affect the meaning or interpretation
of this chapter.
Unless otherwise indicated, when the performance or doing of
any act, duty, matter, or payment is required under this chapter or
any franchise and a period of time or duration for the fulfillment
of doing thereof is prescribed and is fixed herein, the time shall
be computed so as to exclude the first and include the last day of
the prescribed or fixed period of time.
If any term, condition, or provision of this chapter shall,
to any extent, be held to be invalid or unenforceable by a valid order
of any court or regulatory agency, the remainder hereof shall be valid
in all other respects and continue to be effective. In the event of
a subsequent change in applicable law so that the provision which
had been held invalid is no longer invalid, said provision shall thereupon
return to full force and effect without further action by the City
and shall thereafter be binding on the franchisee and the City.
A.Â
Subscriber right to attach. To the extent consistent with federal
law, subscribers shall have the right to attach VCRs, receivers, remote
control devices, converters, and other terminal equipment to a franchisee's
cable system.
B.Â
Removal of existing antennas. A franchisee shall not, as a condition
of providing service, require a subscriber or potential subscriber
to remove any existing antenna or disconnect an antenna, except at
the express direction of the subscriber or potential subscriber, or
prohibit installation of a new antenna, provided that such antenna
is connected with an appropriate device and complies with applicable
law.
A.Â
No retaliatory actions. A cable communications system operator shall
not discriminate among persons or the City or take any retaliatory
action against a person or the City because of that entity's
exercise of any right it may have under federal, state, or local law,
nor may the operator require a person or the City to waive such rights
as a condition of taking service.
B.Â
Employment and hiring practices. A cable communications system operator
shall not refuse to employ, discharge from employment, or discriminate
against any person in compensation or in terms, conditions, or privileges
of employment because of race, color, creed, national origin, sex,
age, disability, religion, ethnic background, or marital status. A
cable communications system operator shall comply with all federal,
state, and local laws and regulations governing equal employment opportunities
and hiring practices, as the same may be amended from time-to-time.
A.Â
Persons holding franchises. Any person holding an existing franchise
for a cable communications system may continue to operate under the
existing franchise to the conclusion of its present term (but not
any renewal or extension thereof) with respect to those activities
expressly authorized by that existing franchise, provided, further,
that such person shall be subject to the other provisions of this
chapter to the extent permitted by law.
B.Â
Persons with pending applications. Pending applications shall be
subject to this chapter. A person with a pending application shall
have 30 days from the effective date of this chapter to submit additional
information to comply with the requirements of this chapter governing
applications.