No person, firm or corporation shall drill any well for gas
or oil within the limits of the City of Buffalo or erect any derrick,
building or other structure or place any machinery or equipment for
such purpose without having obtained the consent of the Council and
the permit hereinafter referred to.
Any applicant for permission to drill such a gas or oil well
shall file, with the City Clerk for presentation to the Council, a
verified petition giving the name, address and business of the petitioner,
the location of the proposed well and the kind and nature of the drill,
derrick, machinery, equipment and power proposed to be used and the
kind and size of any buildings to be erected.
Before granting its consent for such drilling, a public hearing
shall be held by the Council or one of its Committees upon such notice
as the Council deems appropriate, and the application may be referred
to the Commissioners of Fire and Public Works for their recommendations.
In granting its consent for such drilling, the Council may impose
conditions in the interest of public safety and health governing the
drilling operations and the placing, maintenance and removal of buildings
and equipment and may limit the hours during which such drilling may
be done.
Upon receiving the consent of the Council, as aforesaid, the
petitioner shall obtain a permit from the Commissioner of Public Works
expiring six months after the same is issued. Said permit may be renewed
annually thereafter providing all building, fire and health regulations
and all ordinances have been complied with.
Before said permit shall be valid, the petitioner shall file
a bond with the Comptroller in the penal sum of $1,000,000, conditioned
to indemnify and save harmless the City of Buffalo against all loss,
cost, damage or expense which may accrue against said City because
of any happening or circumstance arising from or in connection with
such drilling or erection, installation and maintenance or operation
of any building, structure, machinery or equipment used therefor.
After the well has been completed and all unnecessary buildings,
structures, machinery and equipment have been removed and the premises
placed in condition to be approved by the Commissioner of Public Works,
the permittee, in lieu of said bond, may file a certificate with the
Comptroller evidencing the issuance to the permittee of a policy of
public liability insurance in the sum of $1,000,000 indemnifying the
City of Buffalo, among others, against all loss, cost, damage or expense
which may accrue by reason of the use or maintenance of such gas or
oil well.