§ A226-1. Purpose.

A. 

The City of Pottsville finds that the development of cable television and communications systems has the potential of having great benefit and impact upon the people of Pottsville. 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 power which should be vested in the City or such persons as the City shall designate pursuant to a new ordinance replacing Ordinance No. 215-76 which presently regulates cable television in the City of Pottsville. It is the intent of this ordinance to provide for and specify the means to attain the best possible public interest and public purpose in these matters, and any franchise issued pursuant to this ordinance shall be deemed to include this finding as an integral part thereof.

B. 

Further, it is recognized that cable systems have the capacity to provide not only entertainment and information services to the City's residents, but can provide a variety of broadband, interactive communications services to institutions and individuals. Many of these services involve City agencies and other public institutions by providing governmental, educational or health care communications.

C. 

It is further recognized that cable systems and services are rapidly changing and will continue to change in the future.

D. 

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

(1) 

Communications services should be provided to the maximum number of City residents.

(2) 

The cable system should be capable of accommodating both the present and reasonably foreseeable future cable-related needs of the City.

(3) 

The cable system authorized by this ordinance 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.