The City of Rockwood, in the County of Wayne, State of Michigan,
referred to as "City," grants to Michigan Consolidated Gas Company,
(the "company") a franchise to lay and maintain gas lines, pipes and
mains and all other equipment in the public right-of-way necessary
to convey, supply and sell natural gas to the citizens and residents
of the City of Rockwood.
The franchise is granted for a term of 30 years commencing no
less than 30 days after publication hereof, upon acceptance in writing
from the company, and shall continue for a period of 30 years thereafter,
subject to revocation at will of the City of Rockwood at any time
during said thirty-year period.
The company shall file a written acceptance of the franchise
with the City Clerk within 60 days after the effective date of this
article. The franchise shall go into effect only when said written
acceptance has been filed with the City Clerk.
No road, street, alley, or highway shall be opened for the laying
of trunk lines or lateral mains except upon application to the Highway
Commissioner or the City of Rockwood or other authority having jurisdictions
in the premises, stating the nature of the proposed work and the route.
Upon receipt of such applications, it shall be the duty of the Highway
Commissioners or the City Council, or such other authority as may
have jurisdiction, to issue a permit to the company to do the work
proposed. Issuance of such permit shall not be unreasonably withheld.
The company is now under the jurisdiction of the Michigan Public
Service Commission to the extent provided by law; and the rates to
be charged for gas, and the standards and conditions of service and
operation hereunder, shall be no more or less than as set forth in
the company's schedule of rules, regulations and rates in other
cities, villages and townships in which the company is now rendering
gas service, or as shall hereafter be validly prescribed for the City
of Rockwood under orders, rules and regulations of the Michigan Public
Service Commission or other governmental authority having jurisdiction
in the premises.
The authority given herein shall not in any way impair the right
or ability of the City to use, control and regulate the use of its
streets, alleys, bridges and other public places, including the space
above and below said public rights-of-way.
The word "Michigan Consolidated Gas company," "company," "City
of Rockwood" or the "City," wherever used herein, are intended and
shall be held and construed to mean and include any successors and
assigns whether so expressed or not.