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HomeMy WebLinkAboutC.054.93009_1014 (2)(3) MOTION by Commissioner Johnson to grant the request from GB, General Business to RA, Residential Agricultural District with the exception of 151 feet deep (back from the road) and 50 feet across, measured along the northwestern property line, which is currently, and will remain, General Business. VOTING: Ayes - 5; Nays - 0. DISCUSSION OF PROPOSED ORDINANCE AND FRANCHISE AGREEMENTS FOR CABLE TELEVISION (PRESTIGE CABLE TV OF NC): The county manager stated that this matter encompasses two items. The first would be an ordinance that applies to all cable television companies doing business in Iredell County. The second item would be a franchise agreement for all cable TV companies. The purpose of presenting the two documents was for review and discussion; plus, it will allow the staff time to make necessary revisions. The manager said he hoped to bring an amended ordinance back to the August 15 meeting. Next, in September, the county would enter into agreements with the various cable companies. At the present time, there is an ordinance that establishes a five -percent rate for subscriber revenues that each cable company submits to Iredell County on an annual basis. There are no agreements with the cable companies that allow the county to address problems or concerns voiced by subscribers. Mr. Mashburn said that there isn't a monopoly going on in Iredell with the cable companies, but it is unlikely that more than one company will be serving an area at the same time. The ordinance that Mr. Mashburn is proposing specifies what the county expects from the cable companies. It will require that cable companies provide service if they are within 150 ft. of the residence of the citizen requesting service. It gives the county some authority to take some action if the cable companies are not responsive to the concerns of the subscribers. County Attorney Bill Pope said he had looked at the documents on a legal perspective; however, he had not reviewed them in a technical perspective. He mentioned he was concerned with government regulating business and that he doesn't know if Iredell County should become involved. The cable system is pretty close to a monopoly. Overall, the ordinance seems to be pretty good -- it's sound and broad, but it needs to be modified in several places. Television is becoming so vital, especially the educational aspects. The communities that don't have cable systems, that are technically sophisticated, are going to be like communities that are not located on a highway. Commissioner Stewart asked if copies of other ordinances from other counties could be requested and reviewed. Commissioner Johnson said that basically there is a geographic monopoly. If you start regulating this business, you need someone who has some in-depth knowledge on rate -setting. Commissioner Boone stated he was in agreement with the county attorney and that the individual/group setting the rate needs to be competent enough to do so. He further mentioned that one justification to enact an ordinance was to give people with poor service an avenue for help. However, what has been proposed doesn't. MOTION by Commissioner Madison to refer the ordinance/ franchise documents back to the county manager and county attorney for further study. VOTING: Ayes - 5; Nays - 0. REQUEBT FROM HEALTH DEPARTMENT FOR APPROVAL OF: 1. 1995-1996 Fee Schedule These fees were adopted by the Board of Health on July 20, 1995.