HomeMy WebLinkAboutORD 5995 FRANCHISE CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS
Augusta Richmond GA
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YEAR: Gt6
BOX NUMBER: DL\
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NUMBER OF PAGES:
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JANUARY 20, 1998
ORDINANCE NO. $9?~
AN ORDINANCE GRANTING A FRANCHISE TO CHARTER
COMMUNICATIONS AUTHORIZING IT TO INSTALL,
MAINTAIN AND OPERATE A SYSTEM FOR THE
TRANSMISSION OF AUDIO, DATA AND/OR VIDEO SIGNALS
OVER, ACROSS AND UNDER PUBLIC STREETS AND RIGHTS
OF WAY IN AUGUSTA, GEORGIA UNDER CERTAIN
CONDITIONS AND RESTRICTIONS; TO REPEAL
CONFLICTING ORDINANCES; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
THE AUGUSTA-RICHMOND COUNTY COMMISSION HEREBY ORDAINS:
Section 1.
Definitions.
For the purpose of this ordinance, the following terms, phrases, words and their
derivations shall have the meanings given herein unless more specifically defined within other
sections of this ordinance. When not inconsistent with the content, words used in the present tense
include the future tense, and words in the single number include the plural number. The work
"shall" is always mandatory and not merely directory,
(a) "Augusta" means Augusta, Georgia, a political subdivision of the State of
Georgia.
(b) "CA TV System" means a community antenna television system and related
cable for transmission of audio and/or video signals by cable or other means and such related
services as Grantee may choose to provide.
(c) "Franchise" is the authorization, and any renewal thereof, issued by Augusta
as franchising authority, whether such authorization is designated as a franchise, pennit, license,
resolution, contract, certificate, agreement or otherwise, for Grantee to construct, install and operate
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CA TV System in the public streets, alleys, roads, and rights of way identified in said Franchise.
(d) "Grantee" is Charter Communications.
(e) "Gross Revenues" shall mean revenues collected by Grantee from subscribers
for cable television services provided in Augusta, excluding (i) penalty or other fees received for late
payments or canceled checks, (ii) revenues received from advertising, (iii) taxes, fees, assessments
or similar charges collected by the Grantee on behalf of any governmental agency (including without
limitation the franchise fees collected pursuant to Section 2), (iv) installation, connection,
disconnection or other non-recurring fees charged to subscribers and (v) all revenues from
equipment sold, leased orrented to subscribers upon subscribers' premises.
(f) "Rights of way" shall mean all present and future streets within the limits of
Augusta.
(g) "Street" shall mean the entire width between the boundary lines of every
highway, alley, street, avenue, bridge, viaduct, tunnel, and causeway in Augusta, dedicated or
devoted to public use.
(h) "Person" IS any person, firm, partnership, trust, joint stock company,
association, corporation, company, governmental entity or organization of any kind.
Section 2.
Consideration.
The grant of the right, privilege and franchise under this Ordinance has been
determined to be in the best interest of the citizens of Augusta and shall be in accordance with the
terms and conditions set forth herein. The Grantee shall annually pay to Augusta a fee of three
percent (3%) of Gross Revenues as defined in this Agreement. Said annual fee shall, for each year
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of the term of this Franchise Agreement, be paid quarterly with each quarterly payment becoming
due within 45 days of the end of each of the months of March, June, September and December
hereafter. Within 60 days of the end of each December, the Grantee shall also file a sworn statement
executed lU1der oath by the Grantee's independent certified public accountant and by Grantee's chief
executive officer which shall certify the amount of the Gross Revenues, uncollectible accounts and
the Franchise fee for the previous calendar year. All Franchise payments or fees provided herein
and the sworn statement referred to above shall be considered delinquent if not delivered to Augusta
within ten (10) days of the due date as specified herein and shall be subject to penalty at the rate of
one and one-half percent (1-1/2%) of all amounts due per calendar month or any portion thereof in
which the payment of such amount remains delinquent. In the event any such delinquent fees are
collected through the services of an attorney, Grantee shall pay, in addition thereto, all reasonable
costs of collection including reasonable attorney's fees. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Grantee
agrees that with respect to the CATV System, it will agree to increase the franchise fees for cable
television services (up to any applicable legal limits) if the Commission takes action to increase the
franchise fees for the other CATV companies who sue the Streets of Augusta.
Section 3. Grant of Authority and Term.
(a) Grant of Authority,
1. There is hereby granted, subject to Augusta's prompt receipt of
monetary and services compensation, to Grantee the nonexclusive right and privilege to have,
acquire, construct, expand, reconstruct, maintain, use and operate in, along, across, on, over,
through, above and under the public Streets of Augusta a CATV System.
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3. This Ordinance is granted to Grantee solely for the purpose of directly
serving its end-user customers.
4. This Ordinance does not require Grantee to provide ubiquitous service
throughout all of Augusta as a public service provider. However, Grantee agrees that it shall not
expand its services in Richmond County beyond that shown on the as-built map as of the date of
adoption of this Ordinance, filed with Augusta as provided in Section 4(d) hereof without the prior
consent of the Augusta-Richmond County Commission.
5. Nothing herein contained shall ever be held or construed to confer
upon Grantee, its successors and/or assigns, exclusive rights or privileges of any nature whatsoever.
(b) Term. This Franchise is granted for an initial period of fifteen (15) years
from and after the date this Ordinance is adopted by Augusta. The original term of this Franchise
shall be automatically extended for successive additional five-year periods unless one of the parties
hereto shall give nine (9) months' written notice to the other party of its intention not to extend this
Franchise (or any extension thereof) on these terms and conditions. Notwithstanding such notice,
the City and Grantee agree to renegotiate in good faith changes proposed by either party which
would apply to a renewal or extension of this Franchise so as to insure continuity of service to the
public.
Section 4,
Conditions of Use.
(a) Prior to beginning any work in any public streets or rights of way, the Grantee
shall obtain from the Augusta-Richmond County Engineering Department, the Augusta-Richmond
County License & Inspection Department and the Augusta-Richmond County Trees and Landscape
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Department any permits which may be required by Augusta or any other governing authority for the
construction and operation of a CATV System. The Grantee shall not unnecessarily obstruct or
impair traffic upon any street, road or other public way of Augusta and shall comply with all of
Augusta's rules and regulations designed to prevent damage to trees and shrubbery on or adjacent
to such public streets or rights of way which may be caused by installation and operation of its
CATV System. Upon making an opening in any public way, street, sidewalk or road as authorized
by this Franchise for the purpose of laying, constructing, repairing and/or maintaining said CATV
System and any related facilities or equipment, the Grantee shall, without unnecessary delay, replace
and restore same to its former condition as nearly as possible, and in full compliance with the
provisions of Augusta's policies, rules, regulations and/or ordinances. The Grantee shall re-sod
disturbed grassed areas and replace all excavated areas to their original or better condition in order
to minimize the disruption of public property.
(b) The Grantee shall provide safe passageway for pedestrians and vehicles
through, in and around the work site areas. The Grantee shall meet all local and State requirements
for traffic control and notify Augusta at least 24 hours prior to the commencement of work or the
accessing of Augusta conduit, except in cases of emergency.
(c) In all sections of Augusta where the cables, wires or other like facilities of
public utilities are placed underground, Grantee shall place its cable, wires or other like facilities
underground to the maximum extent that existing technology reasonably permits Grantee to do so.
(d) The Grantee shall file with Augusta-Richmond County Engineering
Department true and correct as-built maps or plats of all existing and proposed cable plant
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construction and the types of equipment and facilities installed or constructed, properly identified
and described as to the type of equipment and facility by appropriate symbols and marks and which
shall include annotations of all public ways, streets, road and conduits where the work is to be
undertaken. Maps shall be drawn in a scale and in such detail so as to allow proper review and
interpretation by the Engineering Department and the Trees and Landscape Department, and the
same will be filed with Augusta not less than ten (10) working days before any excavation or cable
plant construction commences.
(e) If, at any time during the period of this Franchise, Augusta shall lawfully elect
to vacate, relocate, abandon, alter, reconstruct or change the grade of any street, sidewalk, alley or
other public way including any related drainage and utility areas, the Grantee, upon reasonable
notice from Augusta, shall remove, relay and relocate its wires, cables and other fixtures and
equipment at its own expense and within reasonable time schedules established by Augusta. Should
Grantee refuse or fail to remove its equipment or plant as provided for herein within 45 days after
written notification, Augusta shall have the right to do such work or cause it to be done and the full
cost thereof shall be chargeable to the Grantee, or in the alternative, to consider such failure by the
Grantee to remove its equipment or plant as abandonment of all ownership rights in said property.
(f) Grantee shall maintain an office within the present limits of Augusta. Grantee
shall always keep and maintain Augusta-specific books, records, contracts, accounts, documents and
papers for its operation in this office. Additionally, all as-built maps, plats, records, inventories and
books of the Grantee, insofar as they show values and location of existing property, shall be kept
and maintained in said office and preserved for use, if necessary, in connection with any future
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valuation of the property of the Grantee. In lieu of physical custody of the forgoing records in
Grantee's Augusta office, Grantee may hold the records in a corporate office located elsewhere,
provided that any and all records which may be requested by employees or agents of Augusta shall
be delivered to Grantee's Augusta office and made available to the requester within five (5) business
days from the date requested. For the purposes of this Section, the date requested shall be the date
a written request is delivered to the Grantee's Augusta office, and unaltered photocopies of requested
documents may be delivered in lieu of original records.
(g) Grantee shall keep Augusta fully informed as to all material matters in
connection with or affecting the construction, removal, operation and repair of Grantee's CATV
System, Grantee's accounting methods and procedures in connection therewith and the recording
and reporting by Grantee of all revenues and uncollectible accounts.
(h) Grantee shall keep complete and accurate books of account and records of its
business and operations pursuant to this Franchise Ordinance in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles. If required by the FCC, Grantee shall use the system of accounts and the
forms of books, accounts, records, and memoranda prescribed by appropriate FCC regulations, and
as may be further described herein. Augusta may require the keeping of additional records or
accounts which are reasonably necessary for purposes of identifying, accounting for and reporting
Gross Revenues and uncollectible accounts for purposes determining the annual fees to be paid by
Grantee pursuant to this agreement. Grantee shall keep its books of accounts and records in such
a way that breakdowns of revenues are available by type of service within Augusta.
(i) Grantee shall report to Augusta such other reasonable information relating
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to the Grantee as Augusta may consider useful and shall comply with Augusta's determination of
forms for reports, the time for reports, the frequency with which any reports are to be made, and if
reports are to be made under oath.
G) Grantee shall provide Augusta with access at reasonable times and for
reasonable purposes, to examine, audit, review, and/or obtain copies of the papers, books, accounts,
documents, maps, plans and other records of Grantee pertaining to this Franchise Ordinance.
Grantee shall fully cooperate in making available its records and otherwise assisting in these
activities.
(k) Augusta may at any time make inquiries pertaining to Grantee's operation of
its CATV System within Augusta. Grantee shall respond to such inquiries on a timely basis.
(1) Grantee shall, upon request, provide Augusta with copies of notices of all
petitions, applications, commWlications and reports submitted by Grantee to the FCC, Securities and
Exchange Commissions and the Georgia Public Service Commission or their successor agencies,
relating to any matters affecting the use of Augusta's streets and rights of way and/or the CATV
System authorized pursuant to this Franchise ordinance.
(m) Upon termination by any Subscriber of the Grantee's services, Grantee shall
comply with all applicable state and federal laws and regulations regarding the removal of its
facilities and equipment from the premises of said Subscriber upon said Subscriber's request.
(n) Charges for services offered to the public by Grantee shall comply with all
applicable state and federal laws and regulations regarding subscriber rates. Grantee shall provide
notice to the Augusta-Richmond County Commission prior to any rate change, and shall maintain
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on file with said Commission a schedule of the current rates and fees charged for its services offered
to the public.
(0) Grantee shall install and maintain its WIres, cables, fixtures and other
equipment in accordance with the requirements of all applicable Augusta codes, ordinances and
regulations, and in such a manner that they will not interfere with any existing installations of
Augusta or with any existing operations of a public utility serving Augusta.
(P) All structures and all lines, equipment and connections in, over, under and
upon the streets, sidewalks, alleys and public ways or places of Augusta, wherever situated or
located, shall at all times be kept and maintained in a safe and suitable condition, and in good order
and repair.
(q) No poles or other wire-holding structures shall be erected by Grantee without
prior written approval of the Augusta-Richmond County Engineering Department with regard to
location, height, type and other pertinent considerations. Any poles and wire-holding structures of
Grantee erected pursuant to this subsection shall be moved or modified by Grantee at its sole
expense, upon reasonable notice, whenever the Engineering Department has determined that the
public convenience would be enhanced thereby.
Section 5.
Safety Requirements.
(a) The Grantee shall at all times employ ordinary care and shall install and
maintain in use commonly accepted methods and devices for preventing failures and accidents
which are likely to cause damage or injury to the public or to constitute a nuisance. Grantee shall
install such equipment and employ such personnel to maintain its facilities so as to assure efficient
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service, and shall have the equipment and personnel necessary to make repairs promptly. Grantee
shall interrupt service only for good cause and for the shortest time possible.
(b) The Grantee shall install and maintain its CATV System in accordance with
the requirements of applicable building codes and regulations of Augusta and the statutes and
regulations of appropriate Federal and State agencies, including but not limited to the Federal
Communications Commission and the U.S. Am1Y Corps of Engineers, which may now be in effect
or enacted, and in such a manner that will not interfere with any installations of Augusta or with any
existing operations of any public utility serving Augusta.
(c) The Grantee's CATV System, wherever situated, or located, shall at all times
be kept and maintained in a safe, operating condition and in good order and repair.
Section 6.
Liability and Indemnification.
(a) By acceptance of this Franchise and right, Grantee agrees that it shall
indemnify, protect and hold forever harmless Augusta, its elected officials, officers, agents,
representatives and employees, and their successors, legal representatives and assigns, from any and
all claims of every kind and nature whatsoever, and from liabilities, losses, costs, judgments,
penalties, damages and expenses, including reasonable attomey's fees and expenses of litigation
incurred in the defense of any such claim arising out of or relating to the installation, operation or
maintenance by the Grantee of the Grantee's CATV System, or the Grantee's failure to perform any
of the obligations of this Franchise, including but not limited to claims for injury or death to any
person or persons, or damages to any property, as may be incurred by or asserted against Augusta,
its elected officials, officers, agents, representatives and/or employees, directly or indirectly, by
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reason of the installation, operation or maintenance by the Grantee of the Grantee's CATV System
within Augusta.
(b) The Grantee shall pay, and, by acceptance of this Franchise, the Grantee
specifically agrees that it will pay all dan1ages and penalties which Augusta may legally be required
to pay as a result of copyright infringements by Grantee and all other damages and penalties arising
from the installation, operation or maintenance of the CATV System authorized herein, whether or
not any act or omission complained of is authorized, allowed or prohibited by this Franchise.
(c) The Grantee shall pay, and by its acceptance of this Franchise, specifically
agrees that it will pay, all expenses incurred by Augusta in defending itself with regard to all
damages and penalties mentioned in subsection (b) above, unless grantee agrees to assume the
defense of Augusta to such claims or lawsuits, These expenses shall include all out-of-pocket
expenses, including reasonable attorneys fees and expenses of litigation.
(d) The Grantee shall maintain, and by its acceptance of this Franchise,
specifically agrees that it will provide throughout the term of this Franchise, workers compensation
insurance in such amounts of coverage as required by the State of Georgia and liability insurance
coverage with regard to all damages mentioned in subsections (a) and (b) above in the following
minimum amounts, whichever is greater:
1. General Liability Insurance - public liability including premises,
products and completed operations.
(a) Bodily lllJUry liability $1,000,000 each person $2,000,000 each
occurrence
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(b) Property damage liability $1,000,000 each occurrence,
(c) Or, in lieu of (a) and (b) above, bodily injury and property damage-
$2,000,000 combined single limit.
2. Comprehensive - Automobile Liability Insurance including owned,
non-owned and hired vehicles.
(a) Bodily lI1Jury liability $1,000,000 each person $2,000,000 each
occurrence -
(b) Property damage liability $1,000,000 each occurrence,
(c) Or, in lieu of ( a) and (b) above, bodily injury and property damage -
$2,000,000 combined single limit.
(e) Grantee agrees that all lI1surance contracts providing any of the above
required coverage will be issued by one or more insurance carriers duly licensed to do business in
the State of Georgia.
(f) Grantee shall furnish Augusta at least annually (and at such other times as
may be reasonably required by Augusta) a certificate from the insurance carrieres) providing such
insurance coverage certifying that such coverage is in full force and effect. Such certificates shall
be in such form as is approved by Augusta.
Section 7. City Rights in Franchise.
(a) The Grantee shall at all times comply with all reasonable requirements,
regulations, laws and ordinances now in force, and which may hereafter be adopted by Augusta and
be applicable to the construction, repair or maintenance of said CATV System or use of Augusta-
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owned conduit.
(b) The following events shall constitute an "Event of Default" under this
Franchise:
(1 ) Grantee breaches any material covenant set forth in this Franchise;
(2) Grantee becomes insolvent, unable or unwilling to pay its legal debts,
or is adjudged a bankrupt; or
(3) Grantee practices any fraud or deceit upon Augusta.
Augusta's right to terminate this Franchise may be exercised only after delivery of a written notice
of an Event of Default to Grantee and a 60 day period for Grantee to cure such Event of Default
except for any Event of Default involving the payment of Franchise Fees or failing to provide any
insurance coverage required hereunder in which event said 60 day period shall be reduced to five
(5) business days. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Franchise shall not be terminated (i) unless
Grantee has had the opportunity to present its case before a meeting of the Commission and (ii)
Grantee is given a reasonable period of time (not to be less than sixty (60) days to transition toward
the termination of the Franchise and, at its option, to seek a purchaser for the CATV System.
(d) The right is hereby reserved to Augusta to adopt, in addition to the provisions
contained herein and in existing applicable ordinances, such additional regulations of general
application to all similarly situated Franchises as it shall find necessary in the exercise of its police
power; provided, that such regulations, by ordinance or otherwise, shall be reasonable and not in
conflict with the rights herein granted.
(e) The Grantee agrees that to provide Augusta a reasonable amount of program
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time on one channel for governmental or educational purposes, at no charge to Augusta.
(f) Augusta shall have the right during the ternl of this Franchise to install and
maintain, free of charge, upon the poles owned by said CATV System, any wire or pole fixtures
necessary for its police alarm system, on the condition that such wire and pole fixtures do not
interfere with the operations of Grantee.
(g) Augusta shall have the right, when the Augusta-Richmond County
Commission in its sole discretion finds it necessary or appropriate, to hold a public hearing with
regard to this Franchise, and Grantee shall make representatives available to attend any such hearing.
Section 8. Acceptance.
This Franchise and the rights, privileges and authority hereby granted, shall take
effect and be in force from and after enactment of this ordinance and execution by the Mayor and
Clerk of Commission, provided that within 15 days after the date of the enactment of this ordinance,
the Grantee shall file with the person specified in Section 10 herein its unconditional acceptance of
this Franchise, which acceptance shall include its agreement to comply with and abide by all its
provisions, terms and conditions. Such acceptance and agreement shall be in writing, duly executed
by or on behalf of the Grantee and accompanied by an insurance certificate as specified in Section
6 unless these documents or evidence thereof have been previously filed with the Clerk of
Commission.
Section 9.
Transfer of Title.
(a) The Grantee shall not transfer this Franchise to another person without prior
written approval of Augusta, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. This provision shall
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not be construed as requiring Augusta's approval of secured financing arrangements.
(b) Other than routine fiberglass capacity, the Grantee, without the advance
written consent of Augusta, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, shall not lease or sell
any of the Rights of way, CATV System, plant, facilities or conduit space it uses in connection with
its CATV System to any person or entity.
Section 10. Notice.
For the purpose of giving notice as provided for in this Ordinance, the Grantee's
address is declared to be:
Charter Communications
10 Wilson Road
P.O. Box 1470
Stockbridge, GA 30281
Augusta's address shall be:
Augusta-Richmond County Commission
Eighth Floor, Municipal Bldg. (11)
530 Greene Street
Augusta, Georgia 30911
Attention: Charles R. Oliver, Administrator
Unless Augusta is notified in writing to the contrary, the placing of notices in the
United States Mail addressed to the Grantee as set forth above by registered or certified mail, return
receipt requested, shall constitute compliance with the provisions of this Section.
Section 11.
Severability.
If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase or portion of this Ordinance is for
any reason held invalid, unenforceable, or unconstitutional by any court of competent jurisdiction,
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such portion shall be deemed a separate, distinct, independent, and severable provision and such
holding shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions hereof.
Section 12.
Controlling Law
This Franchise shall be interpreted and construed in accordance with the laws of the
State of Georgia.
Section 13.
Venue
All claims, disputes and other matters in question between the Grantee and Augusta
arising out of or relating to the Agreement, or the breach thereof, shall be decided in the Superior
Court of Richmond County, Georgia. The Grantee, by executing this Agreement, specifically
consents to venue in Richmond County and waives any right to contest the venue in the Superior
Court of Richmond County, Georgia.
Section 14.
Repealer.
All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict with this ordinance are hereby
repealed.
APPROVED the /,-a
day of ~~
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, 1998 and the,E;1d day
of
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,1998.
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FRANCHISE GRANTED
CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS II, L.P.
by
AUGUSTA, GEORGIA
on
January 20, 1998
The terms and conditions of the within
franchise accepted and agreed to on
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1998.
II, L.P.
Title:
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JANUARY 20. I'm
ORDINANCE NO. ,5<:1 q 5
AN ORDINANCE GRANTING A FRANCHISE TO CHARTER
COMMUNICATIONS II. L.P. AUTHORIZING IT TO INSTALL,
MAINTAIN AND OPERATE A SYSTEM FOR THE
TRANSNtISSION OF AUDIO. DATA AND/OR VIDEO SIGNALS
OVER, ACROSS AND UNDER PUBLIC STREETS AND RIGHTS
OF WAY IN AUGUSTA. GEORGIA UNDER CERTAIN
CONDITIONS AND RESTRICTIONS; TO REPEAL
CONFLICTING ORDINANCES; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
THE AUGUSTA-RICHMOND COUNTY COMMISSION HEREBY ORDAINS:
Section 1.
Definitions.
For the purpose of this ordinance, the following terms, phrases, words and their
derivations shall have the meanings given herein unless more specifically defined within other
sections of this ordinance. When not inconsistent with the content, words used in the present tense
include the future tense, and words in the single number include the plural number. The work
"shall" is always mandatory and not merely directory.
(a) "Augusta" means Augusta, Georgia, a political subdivision of the State of
Georgia.
(b) "CATV System" means a community antenna television system and related
cable for transmission of audio and/or video signals by cable or other means and such related
services as Grantee may choose to provide.
(c) "Franchise" is the authorization, and any renewal thereof, issued by Augusta
as franchising authority, whether such authorization is designated as a franchise, permit, license,
resolution, contract., certificate, agreement or otherwise, for Grantee to construct, install and operate
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CATV System in the public streets, alleys, roads, and rights of way identified in said Franchise.
(d) "Grantee" is Charter Communications.
(e) "Gross Revenues" shall mean revenues collected by Grantee from subscribers
for cable television services provided in Augusta. excluding (i) penalty or other fees received for late
payments or canceled checks, (ii) revenues received from advertising, (iii) taxes, fees, assessments
or similar charges collected by the Grantee on behalf of any governmental agency (including without
limitation the franchise fees collected pursuant to Section 2), (iv) installation, connection,
disconnection or other non-recurring fees charged to subscribers and (v) all revenues from
equipment sold, leased or rented to subscribers upon subscribers' premises.
(f) "Rights of way" shall mean all present and future streets within the limits of
Augusta.
(g) "Street" shall mean the entire width between the boundary lines of every
highway, alley, street, avenue, bridge, viaduct, tunnel, and causeway in Augusta, dedicated or
devoted to public use.
(h) "Person" is any person, firm, partnership, trust, joint stock company,
association, corporation, company, governmental entity or organization of any kind.
Section 2. Consideration.
The grant of the right, privilege and franchise under this Ordinance has been
determined to be in the best interest of the citizens of Augusta and shall be in accordance with the
terms and conditions set forth herein. The Grantee shall annually pay to Augusta a fee of three
percent (3%) of Gross Revenues as defined in this Agreement. Said annual fee shall, for each year
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of the term of this Franchise Agreement, be paid quarterly with each quarterly payment becoming
due within 45 days of the end of each of the months of March, June, September and December
hereafter. Within 60 days of the end of each December, the Grantee shall also file a sworn statement
executed under oath by the Grantee's independent certified public accountant and by Grantee's chief
executive officer which shall certify the amount of the Gross Revenues, uncollectible accounts and
the Franchise fee for the previous calendar year. All Franchise payments or fees provided herein
and the sworn statement referred to above shall be considered delinquent if not delivered to Augusta
within ten (10) days of the due date as specified herein and shall be subject to penalty at the rate of
one and one-half percent (1-112%) of all amounts due per calendar month or any portion thereof in
which the payment of such amount remains delinquent. In the event any such delinquent fees are
collected through the services of an attorney, Grantee shall pay, in addition thereto, all reasonable
costs of collection including reasonable attorney's fees. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Grantee
agrees that with respect to the CATV System, it will agree to increase the franchise fees for cable
television services (up to any applicable legal limits) if the Commission takes action to increase the
franchise fees for the other CATV companies who sue the Streets of Augusta.
Section 3.
Grant of Authority and Term.
(a) Grant of Authority.
1. There is hereby granted, subject to Augusta's prompt receipt of
monetary and services compensation, to Grantee the nonexclusive right and privilege to have,
acquire, construct, expand, reconstruct, maintain, use and operate in, along, across, on, over,
through, above and under the public Streets of Augusta a CATV System.
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3. This Ordinance is granted to Grantee solely for the purpose of directly
serving its end-user customers.
4. This Ordinance does not require Grantee to provide ubiquitous service
throughout all of Augusta as a public service provider. However, Grantee agrees that it shall not
expand its services in Richmond County beyond that shown on the as-built map as of the date of
adoption of this Ordinance, filed with Augusta as provided in Section 4( d) hereof without the prior
consent of the Augusta-Richmond County Commission.
5. Nothing herein contained shall ever be held or construed to confer
upon Grantee, its successors and/or assigns, exclusive rights or privileges of any nature whatsoever.
(b ) Term. This Franchise is granted for an initial period of fifteen (15) years
from and after the date this Ordinance is adopted by Augusta. The original term of this Franchise
shall be automatically extended for successive additional five-year periods unless one of the parties
hereto shall give nine (9) months' written notice to the other party of its intention not to extend this
Franchise (or any extension thereof) on these terms and conditions. Notwithstanding such notice,
the City and Grantee agree to renegotiate in good faith changes proposed by either party which
would apply to a renewal or extension of this Franchise so as to insure continuity of service to the
public.
Section 4.
Conditions of Use.
(a) Prior to beginning any work in any public streets or rights of way, the Grantee
shall obtain from the Augusta-Richmond County Engineering Department, the Augusta-Richmond
County License & Inspection Department and the Augusta-Richmond County Trees and Landscape
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Department arty permits which may be required by Augusta or any other governing authority for the
construction and operation of a CATV System. The Grantee shall not unnecessarily obstruct or
impair traffic upon any street, road or other public way of Augusta and shall comply with all of
Augusta's rules and regulations designed to prevent damage to trees and shrubbery on or adjacent
to such public streets or rights of way which may be caused by installation and operation of its
CATV System. Upon making an opening in any public way, street, sidewalk or road as authorized
by this Franchise for the purpose of laying, constructing, repairing and/or maintaining said CATV
System and any related facilities or equipment, the Grantee shall, without unnecessary delay, replace
and restore same to its former condition as nearly as possible, and in full compliance with the
provisions of Augusta's policies, rules, regulations and/or ordinances. The Grantee shall re-sod
disturbed grassed areas and replace all excavated areas to their original or better condition in order
to minimize the disruption of public property.
(b) The Grantee shall provide safe passageway for pedestrians and vehicles
through, in and around the work site areas. The Grantee shall meet all local and State requirements
for traffic control and notifY Augusta at least 24 hours prior to the commencement of work or the
accessing of Augusta conduit, except in cases of emergency.
(c) In all sections of Augusta where the cables, wires or other like facilities of
public utilities are placed underground, Grantee shall place its cable, wires or other like facilities
underground to the maximum extent that existing technology reasonably permits Grantee to do so.
(d) The Grantee shall file with Augusta-Richmond County Engineering
Department true and correct as-built maps or plats of all existing and proposed cable plant
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construction and the types of equipment and facilities installed or constructed, properly identified
and described as to the type of equipment and facility by appropriate symbols and marks and which
shall include annotations of all public ways, streets, road and conduits where the work is to be
undertaken. Maps shall be drawn in a scale and in such detail so as to allow proper review and
interpretation by the Engineering Department and the Trees and Landscape Department, and the
same will be filed with Augusta not less than ten (l0) working days before any excavation or cable
plant construction commences.
(e) If, at any time during the period of this Franchise, Augusta shall lawfully elect
to vacate, relocate, abandon, alter, reconstruct or change the grade of any street, sidewalk, alley or
other public way including any related drainage and utility areas, the Grantee, upon reasonable
notice from Augusta, shall remove, relay and relocate its wires, cables and other fixtures and
equipment at its own expense and within reasonable time schedules established by Augusta. Should
Grantee refuse or fail to remove its equipment or plant as provided for herein within 45 days after
written notification, Augusta shall have the right to do such work or cause it to be done and the full
cost thereof shall be chargeable to the Grantee, or in the alternative, to consider such failure by the
Grantee to remove its equipment or plant as abandonment of all ownership rights in said property.
(f) Gnmtee shall m~ >m offic€ 'v;i1'bffi the present limits of AUg~rantee
,
shall always keep and maintain Augusta-specific books, records, contracts, accounts, documents and
papers for its operation in this office. Additionally, all as-built maps, plats, records, inventories and .
books of the Grantee, insofar as they show values and location of existing property, shall be kept
and maintained in said office and preserved for use, if necessary, in connection with any future
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valuation of the property of the Grantee. In lieu of physical custody of the forgoing records in
Grantee's Augusta office, Grantee may hold the records in a corporate office located elsewhere,
provided that any and all records which may be requested by employees or agents of Augusta shall
be delivered to Grantee's Augusta office and made available to the requester within five (5) business
days from the date requested. For the purposes of this Section, the date requested shall be the date
a written request is delivered to the Grantee's Augusta office, and unaltered photocopies of requested
documents may be delivered in lieu of original records.
(g) Grantee shall keep Augusta fully informed as to all material matters in
connection with or affecting the construction, removal, operation and repair of Grantee's CATV
System, Grantee's accounting methods and procedures in connection therewith and the recording
and reporting by Grantee of all revenues and uncollectible accounts.
(h) Grantee shall keep complete and accurate books of account and records of its
business and operations pursuant to this Franchise Ordinance in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles. If required by the FCC, Grantee shall use the system of accounts and the
forms of books, accounts, records, and memoranda prescribed by appropriate FCC regulations, and
as may be further described herein. Augusta may require the keeping of additional records or
accounts which are reasonably necessary for purposes of identifying, accounting for and reporting
Gross Revenues and uncollectible accounts for purposes determining the annual fees to be paid by
Grantee pursuant to this agreement. Grantee shall keep its books of accounts and records in such
a way that breakdowns of revenues are available by type of service within Augusta.
(i) Grantee shall report to Augusta such other reasonable information relating
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to the Grantee as Augusta may consider useful and shall comply with Augusta's determination of
forms for reports, the time for reports, the frequency with which any reports are to be made, and if
reports are to be made under oath.
(j) Grantee shall provide Augusta with access at reasonable times and for
reasonable purposes, to examine, audit, review, and/or obtain copies of the papers, books, accounts,
documents, maps, plans and other records of Grantee pertaining to this Franchise Ordinance.
Grantee shall fully cooperate in making available its records and otherwise assisting in these
activities.
(k) Augusta may at any time make inquiries pertaining to Grantee's operation of
its CATV System within Augusta. Grantee shall respond to such inquiries on a timely basis.
(1) Grantee shall, upon request, provide Augusta with copies of notices of all
petitions, applications, communications and reports submitted by Grantee to the FCC, Securities and
Exchange Commissions and the Georgia Public Service Commission or their successor agencies,
relating to any matters affecting the use of Augusta's streets and rights of way and/or the CATV
System authorized pursuant to this Franchise ordinance.
(m) Upon termination by any Subscriber of the Grantee's services, Grantee shall
comply with all applicable state and federal laws and regulations regarding the removal of its
facilities and equipment from the premises of said Subscriber upon said Subscriber's request.
(n) Charges for services offered to the public by Grantee shall comply with all
applicable state and federal laws and regulations regarding subscriber rates. Grantee shall provide
notice to the Augusta-Richmond County Commission prior to any rate change, and shall maintain
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on file with said Commission a schedule of the current rates and fees charged for its services offered
to the public.
(0) Grantee shall install and maintain its WIres, cables, fixtures and other
equipment in accordance with the requirements of all applicable Augusta codes, ordinances and
regulations, and in such a manner that they will not interfere with any existing installations' of
Augusta or with any existing operations of a public utility serving Augusta.
(P) All structures and all lines, equipment and connections in, over, under and
upon the streets, sidewalks, alleys and public ways or places of Augusta, wherever situated or
,located, shall at all times be kept and maintained in a safe and suitable condition, and in good order
and repair.
(q) No poles or other wire-holding structures shall be erected by Grantee without
prior written approval of the Augusta-Richmond County Engineering Department with regard to
location, height, type and other pertinent considerations. Any poles and wire-holding structures of
Grantee erected pursuant to this subsection shall be moved or modified by Grantee at its sole
expense, upon reasonable notice, whenever the Engineering Department has determined that the
public convenience wo'uld be enhanced thereby.
Section 5.
Safety Requirements.
(a) The Grantee shall at all times employ ordinary care and shall install and
maintain in use commonly accepted methods and devices for preventing failures and accidents
which are likely to cause damage or injury to the public or to constitute a nuisance. Grantee shall
install such equipment and employ such personnel to maintain its facilities so as to assure efficient
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service, and shall have the equipment and personnel necessary to make repairs promptly. Grantee
shall interrupt service only for good cause and for the shortest time possible.
(b) The Grantee shall install and maintain its CATV System in accordance with
the requirements of applicable building codes and regulations of Augusta and the statutes and
regulations of appropriate Federal and State agencies, including but not limited to the Federal
Communications Commission and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which may now be in effect
or enacted, and in such a manner that will not interfere with any installations of Augusta or with any
existing operations of any public utility serving Augusta.
(c) The Grantee's CATV System, wherever situated, or located, shall at all times
be kept and maintained in a safe, operating condition and in good order and repair.
Section 6. Liability and Indemnification.
(a) By acceptance of this Franchise and right, Grantee agrees that it shall
indemnify, protect and hold forever harmless Augusta, its elected officials, officers, agents,
representatives and employees, and their successors, legal representatives and assigns, from any and
all claims of every kind and nature whatsoever, and from liabilities, losses, costs, judgments,
penalties, damages and expenses, including reasonable attorney's fees and expenses of litigation
incurred in the defense of any such claim arising out of or relating to the installation, operation or
maintenance by the Grantee of the Grantee's CATV System, or the Grantee's failure to perform any
of the obligations of this Franchise, including but not limited to claims for injury or death to any
person or persons, or damages to any property, as may be incurred by or asserted against Augusta,
its elected officials, officers, agents, representatives and/or employees, directly or indirectly, by
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reason of the installation, operation or maintenance by the Grantee of the Grantee's CATV System
within Augusta.
(b) The Grantee shall pay, and, by acceptance of this Franchise, the Grantee
specifically agrees that it will pay all damages and penalties which Augusta may legally be required
to pay as a result of copyright infringements by Grantee and all other damages and penalties arising
from the installation, operation or maintenance of the CATV System authorized herein, whether or
not any act or omission complained of is authorized, allowed or prohibited by this Franchise.
(c) The Grantee shall pay, and by its acceptance of this Franchise, specifically
agrees that it will pay, all expenses incurred by Augusta in defending itself with regard to all
damages and penalties mentioned in subsection (b) above, unless grantee agrees to assume the
defense of Augusta to such claims or lawsuits. These expenses shall include all out-of-pocket
expenses, including reasonable attorneys fees and expenses of litigation.
(d) The Grantee shall maintain, and by its acceptance of this Franchise,
specifically agrees that it will provide throughout the term of this Franchise, workers compensation
insurance in such amounts of coverage as required by the State of Georgia and liability insurance
coverage with regard to all damages mentioned in subsections (a) and (b) above in the following
minimum amounts, whichever is greater:
1. General Liability Insurance - public liability including premises,
products and completed operations.
(a) Bodily Injury liability $1,000,000 each person $2,000,000 each
occurrence
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(b) Property damage liability $1,000,000 each occurrence,
(c) Or, in lieu of (a) and (b) above, bodily injury and property damage-
$2,000,000 combined single limit.
2. Comprehensive - Automobile Liability Insurance including owned,
non-owned and hired vehicles.
(a) Bodily InJury liability $1,000,000 each person $2,000,000 each
occurrence -
(b) Property damage liability $1,000,000 each occurrence,
(c) Or, in lieu of (a) and (b) above, bodily injury and property damage -
$2,000,000 combined single limit.
(e) Grantee agrees that all insurance contracts providing any of the above
required coverage will be issued by one or more insurance carriers duly licensed to do business in
the State of Georgia.
(f) Grantee shall furnish Augusta at least annually (and at such other times as
may be reasonably required by Augusta) a certificate from the insurance carrieres) providing such
insurance coverage certifying that such coverage is in full force and effect. Such certificates shall
be in such form as is approved by Augusta.
Section 7. City Rights in Franchise.
(a) The 'Grantee shall at all times comply with all reasonable requirements,
regulations, laws and ordinances now in force, and which may hereafter be adopted by Augusta and
be applicable to the construction, repair or maintenance of said CATV System or use of Augusta-
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owned conduit.
(b) The following events shall constitute an "Event of Default" under this
Franchise:
(1) Grantee breaches any material covenant set forth in this Franchise;
(2) Grantee becomes insolvent, unable or unwilling to pay its legal debts,
or is adjudged a bankrupt; or
(3) Grantee practices any fraud or deceit upon Augusta.
Augusta's right to terminate this Franchise may be exercised only after delivery of a written notice
of an Event of Default to Grantee and a 60 day period for Grantee to cure such Event of Default
except for any Event of Default involving the payment of Franchise Fees or failing to provide any
insurance coverage required hereunder in which event said 60 day period shall be reduced to five
(5) business days. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Franchise shall not be terminated (i) unless
Grantee has had the opportunity to present its case before a meeting of the Commission and (ii)
Grantee is given a reasonable period of time (not to be less than sixty (60) days to transition toward
the termination of the Franchise and. at its option, to seek a purchaser for the CATV 'System.
(d) The right is hereby reserved to Augusta to adopt, in addition to the provisions
contained herein and in existing applicable ordinances, such additional regulations of general
application to all similarly situated Franchises as it shall find necessary in the exercise of its police
power; provided, that such regulations, by ordinance or otherwise, shall be reasonable and not in
conflict with the rights herein granted.
(e) The Grantee agrees that to provide Augusta a reasonable amount of program
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time on one channel for governmental or educational purposes, at no charge to Augusta.
(f) Augusta shall have the right during the term of this Franchise to install and
maintain, free of charge, upon the poles owned by said CATV System, any wire or pole fixtures
necessary for its police alarm system, on the condition that such wire and pole fixtures do not
interfere with the operations of Grantee.
(g) Augusta shall have the right, when the Augusta-Richmond County
Commission in its sole discretion finds it necessary or appropriate, to hold a public hearing with
regard to this Franchise, and Grantee shall make representatives available to attend any such hearing.
Section 8.
Acceptance.
This Franchise and the rights, privileges and authority hereby granted, shall take
effect and be in force from and after enactment of this ordinance and execution by the Mayor and
Clerk of Commission, provided that within 15 days after the date of the enactment of this ordinance,
the Grantee shall file with the person specified in Section 10 herein its unconditional acceptance of
this Franchise, which acceptance shall include its agreement to comply with and abide by all its
provisions, terms and conditions. Such acceptance and agreement shall be in writing, duly executed
by or on behalf of the Grantee and accompanied by an insurance certificate as specified in Section
6 unless these documents or evidence thereof have been previously filed with the Clerk of
Commission.
Section 9.
Transfer of Title.
(a) The Grantee shall not transfer this Franchise to another person without prior
written approval of Augusta, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. This provision shall
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not be construed as requiring Augusta's approval of secured financing arrangements.
(b) Other than routine fiberglass capacity, the Grantee. without the advance
written consent of Augusta, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. shall not lease or sell
any of the Rights of way, CATV System, plant. facilities or conduit space it uses in connection with
its CATV System to any person or entity.
Section 10. Notice.
For the purpose of giving notice as provided for in this Ordinance, the Grantee's
address is declared to be:
Charter Communications II, L. P.
10 Wilson Road
P.O. Box 1470
Stockbridge, GA 30281
Augusta's address shall be:
Augusta-Richmond County Commission
Eighth Floor, Municipal Bldg. (11)
530 Greene Street
Augusta, Georgia 30911
Attention: Charles R. Oliver, Administrator
Unless Augusta is notified in writing to the contrary, the placing of notices in the
United States Mail addressed to the Grantee as set forth above by registered or certified mail, return
receipt requested, shall constitute compliance with the provisions of this Section.
Section 11.
Severability.
If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase or portion of this Ordinance is for
,any reason held invalid. unenforceable, or unconstitutional by any court of competent jurisdiction,
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such portion shall be deemed a separate, distinct, independent, and severable provision and such
holding shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions hereof.
Section 12.
Controlling Law
This Franchise shall be interpreted and construed in accordance with the laws of the
State of Georgia.
Section 13.
Venue
All claims, disputes and other matters in question between the Grantee and Augusta
arising out of or relating to the Agreement, or the breach thereof, shall be decided in the Superior
Court of Richmond County, Georgia. The Grantee, by executing this Agreement, specifically
consents to venue in Richmond County and waives any right to contest the venue in the Superior
Court of Richmond County, Georgia.
Section 14.
Repealer.
All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict with this ordinance are hereby
repealed.
APPROVED the tvt,
j~-<L C,AJ ' 1998.
P
day of ;~~
U<
, 1998 and the .:;:Jd day
of
71fi~
~-:
omey ~C
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