Henderson board considers cable TV panel

      Henderson officials are responding to complaints about Prime Cable's service by considering an ordinance that would allow them to fine the company.
      The city attorney's office is drafting a new ordinance that forms a Cable Television Subscriber Service Board that would rule on subscriber complaints.
      If the appointed three-member board finds a violation of the city's codes or the franchise agreement, a fine of as much as $200 could be imposed against the company.
      The City Council is expected to discuss the ordinance at the April 15 meeting.
      If it's approved, Henderson would be the first city in Southern Nevada to utilize a state law that allows local governments to impose penalties against cable operators.
      The ordinance would provide some temporary relief until the franchise agreement with the company expires in 2001, said Mark Calhoun, public works director.
      "It does affect people's lives," Calhoun said. "I think it's the thing to do."
      But resident Ann Ramirez, who is unhappy with a cable box in her front yard, said, "I think it's a little too late."
      "But I still appreciate it. The only way Prime Cable will feel this is if it's in their pocketbook."
      Among the provisions of the proposed ordinance is a requirement that the cable company notify homeowners by certified letter and a notice on the door that a cable box will be put on their lawn.
      Steve Schorr, spokesman for Prime Cable said "there's a lot of things in the ordinance that we feel would be of benefit to the consumer."
      But he added he was somewhat uncomfortable with some parts of it; namely that the board would serve as "judge and jury" on complaints.
      Assistant City Attorney Ron Sailon said the city's receptionist can receive as many as 100 complaints a day regarding Prime Cable. A "lion's share of the calls" have to do with an $85 million, valleywide cable system upgrade that allows residents to receive fiber optic transmission, Sailon said. The upgrade started in Henderson and is expected to move out through the Las Vegas Valley in the next few years.
      Complaints concerning the upgrade start with the cable company's procedures for notifying customers, Calhoun said.
      Some residents have not been told that they're getting bright, green boxes -- which contain electronic components that upgrade the current system -- on their front lawn. Residents have also complained about the boxes' appearance -- their size, color and their above-ground placement.
      "We are not looking to make enemies of anybody who could become potential subscribers," Schorr said. "But there is no way for a cable system to provide greater quality and more reliable service without putting line extensions above ground."
      City officials have also had their problems with the company.
      In a Feb. 6 letter from Calhoun to a Prime Cable official, he said he hasn't been consulted about where the boxes were going to be placed.
      In addition, City Manager Phil Speight sent a letter dated Jan. 30 stating that he hasn't been receiving a monthly list of service complaints, which is what city codes require.
      Speight has still not received the update, Sailon said.
      Prime Cable serves more than 300,000 customers throughout the Las Vegas Valley.