No franchise which is not revocable at the will of the City
shall be granted or become operative until approved by 3/5 of the
electors voting thereon at a general or special election.
No franchise shall be granted for a longer period than 30 years.
No exclusive franchise or grant of right to occupy or use the
streets or public places of the City shall ever be granted.
No public utility not possessing a valid franchise shall have
the right to the use of the highways, streets, alleys or other public
places for wires, poles, pipes, tracks, conduits or the like without
first obtaining a proper permit from the Council, which permit shall
be revocable at any time.
All contracts granting, renewing, extending or amending a franchise
shall be made by ordinance and not otherwise, and shall not be effective
until a written acceptance is filed by the grantee with the City Clerk.
The grant of every franchise shall be subject to the right of
the City to make and enforce all regulations which shall be necessary
to secure adequate and efficient service from all public utilities
operating in the City, and to protect the health, safety and welfare
of the public.
