§ 11-3-1. Purpose.

The City of High Point finds that the development of cable television system has the potential of having great benefit and impact upon the people in the incorporated area of the City of High Point. Because of the complex and rapidly changing technology associated with cable television, the city further finds that the public convenience, safety and general welfare can best be served by establishing regulatory powers which should be vested in the city or such persons as the city shall designate. It is the intent of this chapter and subsequent amendments to provide for and specify the means to advance and protect the public interest in these matters, and any franchise issued pursuant to this chapter shall be deemed to include this finding as an integral part thereof.

Further, it is recognized that cable television systems have the capacity to provide entertainment and information services to the city's residents, and may have the capacity to provide a variety of broad-band, interactive communications services to institutions and individuals.

For these purposes, the following goals underlie the regulations contained herein:

(1)

Cable television services should be provided to the maximum number of city residents at the most reasonable cost;

(2)

The system should be capable of accommodating both the present and reasonably foreseeable future state-of-the-art cable television needs of the city;

(3)

The system authorized by this chapter shall be responsive to the needs and interests of the local community, and shall provide the widest possible diversity of information sources and services to the public;

(4)

Each of the goals enumerated in subsections (1)—(3) above shall be sought, taking into account the costs and benefits to the residents of the city.

(Ord. No. 98-66, 7-2-98)