Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 50, December 13, 2024
Section 187-1-7 - Requirement for public hearing on reasonable notice7.1. The franchising authority shall conduct a public hearing prior to awarding any cable television franchise. The hearing shall be preceded by reasonable notice to each of the franchise applicants and to the public and shall be conducted by the franchising authority in accordance with the following procedures: 7.1.1. There shall be an agenda for the hearing which shall- specify the proposals to be considered at the hearing.7.1.2. Every person who has applied for a cable television franchise shall appear at the hearing either in person or by authorized representative. The application of the applicant who does not appear will not be further considered except for good cause shown for the applicant's absence.7.1.3. All persons shall be given full opportunity to participate in the hearing and to ask questions of any applicant or participant in the hearing, but nothing contained herein shall limit the power of the presiding officer to establish reasonable time limits and otherwise limit repetitive statements or questions.7.1.4. The notice of hearing shall; 7.1.4.a. Conform to all relevant state and local laws and ordinances;7.1.4.b. Describe the agenda to be considered at the public hearing; and7.1.4.c. Indicate that copies of all franchise applications are available for public inspection during normal business hours at a place to be specified in the notice. 7.1.5. Where the franchising authority has received more than one application for a cable television franchise, the hearing required by this section shall be convened not sooner than thirty (30) days following the closing date specified for the filing of such applications.7.1.6. Notwithstanding the number of applications for a cable television franchise which have been received, the hearing required by this section shall be convened within one hundred twenty (120) days of the later of the following dates: 7.1.6.a. The closing date specified for the filing of such applications; or7.1.5.b. The earliest date upon which the franchising authority may convene such a hearing pursuant to local law or charter.7.1.7. The franchising authority shall provide the West Virginia Cable Television Advisory Board with a copy of the Notice of Public Hearing at the time it is published.