[Ord. of 11-17-1998, § 1]
(a) 
The purpose of this article is to regulate the access to and ongoing use of public rights-of-way by telecommunications providers to ensure and protect the public health, safety and welfare, and to exercise reasonable control of the public rights-of-way pursuant to the City Charter, the Michigan Telecommunications Act (Public Act No. 179 of 1991 (MCL 484.2101 et seq.) and other state statutes, including, but not limited to, MCL 247.183 and Mich. Const. Art. VII, § 29 by:
(1) 
Minimizing disruption of the public rights-of-way by regulating the access to and ongoing use of the public rights-of-way by telecommunications providers, and the construction and installation of facilities in the public rights-of-way to provide telecommunication services;
(2) 
Ensuring that the City and the public are protected from liability for use of the public rights-of-way by telecommunications providers;
(3) 
Providing for the payment of nondiscriminatory permit fees which do not exceed the fixed and variable costs of granting permits and maintaining the rights-of-way used by telecommunications providers; and
(4) 
Assisting telecommunications providers in understanding the City's requirements for use of the public rights-of-way, and providing a fair and nondiscriminatory policy for permitting the use of the public rights-of-way by such providers.
[Ord. of 11-17-1998, § 2]
(a) 
The issuance of a permit under this article and the access to and use of the public rights-of-way by a telecommunications provider shall not constitute a waiver of or otherwise adversely affect the following reserved rights:
(1) 
Right to require a franchise. Mich. Const. Art. VII, § 29, and the City Charter require that all public utilities obtain a franchise to conduct a local business within the City. The applicability of this requirement to telecommunications providers may be challenged under Section 102(dd) of the Michigan Telecommunications Act (MCL 484.2102(dd)) which purports to define telecommunications services as not constituting public utility services. Due to this and other legal and regulatory issues, and to avoid the expense and delay of litigation that may be unnecessary, the City determines that telecommunications providers shall not be required at this time to obtain franchises for the transaction of local business within the City. Telecommunications providers shall be required to obtain and maintain a permit for access to and ongoing use of the public rights-of-way, and to otherwise comply with the terms of this article. Such permit shall not constitute a franchise. The City reserves the right to require telecommunications providers to obtain a franchise in the future to transact local business within the City.
(2) 
Rights regarding takings claim. Certain cable or telecommunications providers have initiated or supported legal proceedings in which they contend that federal law grants them the right to physically occupy the rights-of-way and other property of a municipality for the purpose of providing telecommunications service without compensating the municipality for the use or value of the property so occupied or the cost of acquiring and maintaining such property. Municipalities dispute such claim. The City believes that if such a claim were sustained it would, among other things, constitute an unlawful taking by the United States in violation of the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution. The legal issues involved in such disputes have not been finally decided. The City desires to act on applications for permits granting access to its public rights-of-way at this time rather than wait for determination of these issues, provided this can be done without waiver or loss of any rights of the City or a permittee. Therefore, notwithstanding any other provision of this article, a permittee is not precluded by this article from seeking relief from the fee provisions of § 34-81 from any court or agency of competent jurisdiction. If a permittee seeks such relief, the City reserves the right to assert a takings claim, and to take all action it deems necessary in support of such action. Neither this article, nor the issuance or acceptance of a permit under this article, constitutes or will be claimed to constitute, a waiver or relinquishment of any rights or defenses of either the City or the permittee in connection with the disputed issues, and the acceptance of a permit constitutes an acknowledgment and agreement thereto by the permittee.
(3) 
Option to obtain consent agreement. The City finds that legislative, legal and regulatory issues in connection with use of the public rights-of-way by telecommunications providers and the resulting potential for litigation and delay are likely to have an adverse affect on the development of a healthy, competitive telecommunications infrastructure in the City. This would be detrimental to the City and its residents, as well as to the telecommunications providers. The issues affect, among other things, both the cost to telecommunications providers and compensation to the City for the maintenance and use of its public rights-of-way. In order to promote certainty, encourage competition and avoid litigation, the City will, at the request and sole option of an applicant or permittee, consider entering into a consent agreement for use of the public rights-of-way for the provision of telecommunications services on terms and conditions mutually acceptable to the City and the telecommunications provider. It is the City's intent that such an agreement would satisfy the requirement for a permit under this article, and would include, among other things, the permit fee; an extended term of up to 15 years; authorization to conduct a local business in the City pursuant to Mich. Const. Art. VII, § 29; and a covenant to abide by the terms of the agreement as a compromise of disputed issues and uncertain outcomes, notwithstanding the resolution of these legislative, regulatory and legal requirements in the future. A permittee may request a consent agreement at any time.
[Ord. of 11-17-1998, § 3]
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
AFFILIATE, AFFILIATED
Any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with a permittee.
CITY COUNCIL
The City Council of the City of Ithaca or its designee. This article does not authorize delegation of any decision or function that is required by law to be made by the City Council. In any case in which a hearing is held pursuant to this article, the City Council may conduct the hearing or, in its sole discretion, may by resolution appoint a committee or subcommittee of the City Council or a hearing officer to conduct the hearing and submit a proposal for a decision to it pursuant to procedures established by resolution.
CONTROL, CONTROLLING and CONTROLLED
Effective control, by whatever means exercised, such as those described in the Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rule Making in MM Docket 92-264, 8 FCC Rcd 6828 (1993) at Paragraphs 22 — 28 (adopting broadcast transfer of control standards as then in effect).
LOCAL EXCHANGE SERVICE
The provision of an access line and usage within a local calling area for the transmission of high quality two-way interactive switched voice or data communication.
PERMIT
A nonexclusive permit issued pursuant to this article for access to and ongoing use of public rights-of-way by telecommunications providers for wires, poles, pipes, conduits or other facilities designed or used to provide telecommunications services. This term does not include any other permits, licenses or approvals required by the City or other governmental entities.
PERMITTEE
A telecommunications provider which has been issued a permit pursuant to this article.
PUBLIC RIGHTS-OF-WAY
The public rights-of-way, easements, highways, streets and alleys within the City.
TELECOMMUNICATIONS ACT
Public Act No. 179 of 1991 (MCL 484.2101 et seq.).
TELECOMMUNICATIONS PROVIDER
A person who provides one or more telecommunications services for compensation.
TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES
Regulated and unregulated services offered to customers for the transmission of two-way interactive communication and associated usage. This term does not include one-way transmission to subscribers of video programming or other programming services and subscriber interaction for the selection of video programming or other programming services. A telecommunications service is not a public utility service.
TELECOMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM
Facilities designed or used to provide telecommunications services.
VIDEO PROGRAMMING
Programming provided by, or generally considered comparable to programming provided by, a television broadcast station.
[Ord. of 11-17-1998, § 4]
(a) 
Required. No person shall use the public rights-of-way to provide telecommunications services without a permit issued pursuant to this article. For purposes of this article, use of the public rights-of-way includes the installation, construction, maintenance or repair of a telecommunications system within the public rights-of-way. Failure to comply with the permit requirements set forth in this section shall constitute a violation of this article. A person who violates the requirements of this section shall comply with all requirements of this article applicable to a permittee and shall pay the annual fee, plus late payment charges, as provided in § 34-81 for the time period in which the violator did not have a permit, plus the actual costs incurred by the City in enforcing this article against such person. Receipt of a permit under this article does not supersede a permittee's obligation to obtain all other necessary permits or authorizations under any applicable City ordinance, resolution, regulation or policy.
(b) 
Consent agreement. If a telecommunications provider negotiates a consent agreement with the City under the provisions of § 34-77(a)(3), and the City determines that the consent agreement substantially satisfies the obligations of a telecommunications provider under this article, giving due regard to any special circumstances involving the telecommunications provider, the consent agreement will be deemed to satisfy the requirement of a permit under this article and under the Telecommunications Act. When a consent agreement is no longer in effect, the telecommunications provider shall be required to comply with all terms and conditions of this article as amended from time to time.
[Ord. of 11-17-1998, § 5]
(a) 
Form. A telecommunications provider shall apply for a permit pursuant to this article. The application shall be made on an application form provided by the City. Three copies of the application shall be filed with the City Clerk, and two additional copies each shall simultaneously be filed with the City Manager and City Attorney.
(b) 
Required information. In addition to other information required by the application form, or otherwise required by the City or this article, the permit application shall include, but not be limited to, the following information:
(1) 
The name and address of the applicant and each person exercising control over the applicant, and if the applicant or any person exercising control is not a natural person, each of its officers, directors and stockholders beneficially holding more than 25% of the outstanding voting shares, or the managers, general partners, limited partners and/or members holding an equity interest of more than 25%.
(2) 
Copies of the most recent financial statements of the applicant.
(3) 
A description of the applicant's existing and proposed telecommunications system and telecommunications services in the City, the types of existing and proposed wires and other facilities in the public rights-of-way, a general description of the applicant's existing and proposed telecommunications system and telecommunications services in the City and the type of existing and proposed wires and other facilities proposed to be placed in the public rights-of-way.
(4) 
A map setting forth the specific location of the facilities in the public rights-of-way. The map shall completely and accurately identify the location and dimensions of aboveground and underground facilities in sufficient detail to the satisfaction of the City Manager or his designee.
(5) 
Proof of applicable federal and state authority, if needed, to operate a telecommunications system in the City.
(c) 
Application fee. The permit application shall be accompanied by a nonrefundable application fee in an amount established by ordinance or resolution of the City Council. The nonrefundable application fee shall be designed to reimburse the City for the costs of reviewing a permit application and issuance of a permit in accordance with the procedures set forth in this article.
(d) 
Administrative completeness. An permit application shall not be deemed to be filed for purposes of the ninety-day permit application review period in Section 251(3) of the Telecommunications Act (MCL 484.2251(3)) unless and until the application is determined by the City Manager to be administratively complete. A determination whether the application is administratively complete shall be made by the City Manager within 15 business days after the application is received by the City. If the City Manager determines that the application is not administratively complete, he shall advise the applicant in writing of such determination and shall identify the items which must be furnished by the applicant for an administratively complete application.
(e) 
Additional information.
(1) 
The City Manager may request an applicant for a permit under this article to submit such additional information which the City Manager deems reasonably necessary or relevant to review the application. The applicant shall comply with all such requests in compliance with reasonable deadlines for such additional information established by the City Manager. If the applicant fails to provide the additional information requested by the deadline established by the City Manager, the ninety-day period for acting on the application as set forth in Subsection (f) of this section shall be extended by the number of days after the deadline that the information was provided to the City Manager.
(2) 
A person who provides information to the City in connection with a permit application or any other matters under this subsection which contains an untrue statement of a material fact or omits a material fact necessary to make the information not misleading shall be in violation of this article, and shall be subject to all remedies for violation of this article including, but not limited to, denial of the requested action and permit revocation pursuant to § 34-88. Each day that a person fails to correct an untrue statement of a material fact or the omission of a material fact necessary to make the information not misleading shall constitute a separate violation of this article.
(f) 
Approval or denial. Within 75 days after the City Manager determines that the application is administratively complete, subject to any adjustments for delays in providing additional information as provided for in Subsection (e) of this section, the City Council shall hold a public hearing on the application. Notice of the public hearing shall be published in a newspaper in general circulation not less than 10 days before the public hearing. Notice of the public hearing shall also be mailed to the applicant not less than 10 days before the public hearing. Any report or recommendation on the application obtained or prepared by the City Manager shall be mailed to the applicant not less than 10 days before the public hearing. The applicant and any other interested parties may appear in person, by agent or by letter at such hearing to submit comments on the application. Following the public hearing, the City Council shall approve, approve with conditions or deny the application within 90 days after the City Manager has determined that the application is administratively complete pursuant to Subsection (d) of this section, subject to any adjustments for delays in providing additional information as provided in Subsection (e) of this section. The City Council shall not unreasonably deny an application for a permit. The failure of the City to strictly comply with the procedural requirements of this section for the review of permit applications shall not invalidate the decision or proceedings of the City.
(g) 
Conditions. The City Council may impose conditions on a permit to protect the public health, safety and welfare. Without limitation, such conditions may include the posting of a bond by the telecommunications provider in an amount which shall not exceed the reasonable cost to ensure that the public rights-of-way are returned to their original condition during and after the telecommunications provider's access and use. The City Council may require a telecommunications provider to maintain a letter of credit, cash bond or other financial guarantee with a local financial institution in an amount proportionate to the size of such telecommunications provider's system, including approved expansions, if any, but not in excess of the reasonable cost to ensure that the public rights-of-way are returned to their original condition, which can be drawn upon by the City due to the telecommunications provider's failure to cure, to the reasonable satisfaction of the City Manager or his designee, any violation of this article, or breach or default under a permit, after 30 days' notice.
(h) 
Modification. The City Council may, in its discretion, grant a modification to a specific requirement set forth in § 34-82, 34-83, 34-84 or 34-86 if the applicant requests such modification in its application for a permit, and if the applicant demonstrates that:
(1) 
There are circumstances which warrant a modification;
(2) 
The modification will not be detrimental to the public health, safety and welfare; and
(3) 
The modification will not impair the intent and purposes of this article and its several sections.
The application shall describe the applicant's request for a modification and the reasons for the request with specificity. A modification granted by the City Council pursuant to this section shall expire upon the expiration of the permit or earlier, as determined by the City Council. A modification shall modify only those requirements expressly set forth in the approval of the City Council, and shall not modify any other provisions of this article. If a request for a modification is denied by the City Council, the telecommunications provider shall comply with all requirements of this article without exception.
(i) 
Waiver. The City Council shall grant a waiver of any requirement of this article, except § 34-83(a), (c), (f) — (h), if an applicant or permittee requests a waiver and the City Council finds that:
(1) 
Unless waived, the requirement will prohibit or have the effect of prohibiting the ability of the applicant or permittee to provide a telecommunications service within the meaning of Section 253(a) of the Federal Telecommunications Act, 47 U.S.C. § 253(a);
(2) 
The requirement is not within the scope of any state or local authority referenced in Section 253(c) of the Federal Telecommunications Act, 47 U.S.C. § 253(c); and
(3) 
The requirement is not necessary to protect the public safety and welfare or safeguard the rights of consumers.
A request for a waiver may be included in an application for a permit. A request for a waiver shall include a detailed statement of the facts and circumstances forming the basis for the request. If the request is made in connection with an application for a permit, the provisions of Subsection (d) through (g) of this section shall apply to the request, except that submission of a request for a waiver shall constitute consent that the time periods provided in Subsection (f) of this section for holding a public hearing and acting on an application are extended by 90 days. Subsections (a), (c) and (g) of this section shall apply to a waiver request that is not made in connection with a permit application, and the request may be denied for violation of or failure to comply with any of those provisions. Subsection (f) of this section shall also apply to such a request, with the exception of the seventy-five- and ninety-day time periods set forth in such section, but the City Council may, by resolution, establish different or additional procedures for conducting the public hearing and acting on the request.
[Ord. of 11-17-1998, § 6]
(a) 
Establishment. In addition to the nonrefundable application fee as set forth in § 34-80(c), and any other fees for other permits or authorizations required by the City, a permittee under this article shall pay an annual fee in an amount established and modified from time to time by ordinance or resolution of the City Council. The amount of the annual fee shall not exceed the fixed and variable costs to the City in maintaining the public rights-of-way used by a telecommunications provider, unless otherwise permitted by law. The annual fee shall be payable quarterly, as follows:
Quarter
Fee Payable
First quarter (January 1 — March 31)
April 30
Second quarter (April 1 — June 30)
July 31
Third quarter (July 1 — September 30)
October 31
Fourth quarter (October 1 — December 31)
January 31
When a permit is issued during a calendar year, the annual fee shall be prorated for the balance of the calendar year. If a quarterly payment is not paid when due, the permittee shall pay a late payment charge of the greater of $100 or interest at the rate of 1% over the prime rate then charged by First Bank, and computed monthly. A person who violates this article by failing to obtain a permit shall pay the annual fee, plus late payment charges, as required by this section, for the time period in which the violator did not have a permit, plus the actual costs of the City in enforcing this article against such person.
(b) 
Records. All records, including those of affiliates, which are reasonably necessary to verify the accuracy of annual fees paid by the permittee under Subsection (a) of this section shall be made available by a permittee at a location within the City or within 20 miles of the City's boundaries. The City, by itself or in combination with other municipalities, reserves the right to audit a permittee or its affiliate to verify the accuracy of annual fees paid or to be paid to the City. Any additional amount due the City shall be paid within 30 days of submission of an invoice. If the additional amount due exceeds 2% of the total annual fee which the audit determines should have been paid for a calendar year, the permittee shall pay the City's costs in connection with the audit within 30 days of submission of an invoice.
(c) 
Other payments.
(1) 
The nonrefundable application fees and annual fees established pursuant to this article shall be in addition to any tax, charge, fee or payment due, or to become due, to the City by a permittee under any City ordinance or the laws of the state.
(2) 
A person who provides information to the City in connection with any matter under this section which contains an untrue statement of a material fact, or omits a material fact necessary to make the information not misleading, shall be in violation of this article, and shall be subject to all remedies for violation of this article including, but not limited to, permit revocation pursuant to § 34-88. Each day that a person fails to correct an untrue statement of a material fact, or the omission of a material fact necessary to make the information not misleading, shall constitute a separate violation of this article.
[Ord. of 11-17-1998, § 7]
A permit issued under this article shall remain in effect until June 30 following the ten-year anniversary from the date of the issuance of the permit, unless the permit expires pursuant to § 34-83(j), or the permit is revoked earlier pursuant to § 34-88. Applications for renewal of permits shall be filed in the same manner as original applications as set forth in § 34-81, and shall be filed with the City not less than 120 days before the expiration of the permit. The City expressly reserves all rights to approve, approve with conditions or deny applications for permit renewals pursuant to this article and to impose additional conditions on renewed permits.
[Ord. of 11-17-1998, § 8]
(a) 
Nonexclusive; additional permits. A permit under this article shall be nonexclusive. The City expressly reserves the right to approve, at any time, additional permits for access to and ongoing use of the public rights-of-way by telecommunications providers, and to enter into agreements and grant franchises for such access and use. The issuance of additional permits, entry into agreements or the grant of franchises shall not be deemed to amend, modify, revoke or terminate the terms and conditions of any permits previously issued to telecommunication providers.
(b) 
Expansion requests. A permit under this article approved by the City Council shall authorize access to and ongoing use of the public rights-of-way described in the permit, subject to compliance with the conditions of the permit, the requirements of this article and any other applicable requirements of a City ordinance or applicable state and federal law. The permittee shall not use any public rights-of-way not expressly authorized by the permit. Any use of the public rights-of-way, including any installation, construction, maintenance or repair of a telecommunication system within the public rights-of-way, to provide telecommunications services shall be performed only as authorized by the permit. A permittee may, however, expand or modify its telecommunications system to public rights-of-ways not described in its permit by obtaining approval of an amended permit from the City. Such approval may be granted in writing by the City Manager in response to a written request from the permittee for expansion or modification to specific portions of named public rights-of-way. The City Council may establish, by resolution, a nonrefundable application fee for such a request. Within one week, the City Manager may grant, grant with conditions or deny such request. The City Manager shall not unreasonably deny any request for an amended permit. A denial of any request may be appealed to the City Council, which shall make the final decision on such request. Any expansion or modification into additional public rights-of-way shall be subject to all terms and conditions of the original permit and this article including, but not limited to, the application of the annual fee to the expanded or modified public rights-of-way used by the permittee.
(c) 
Construction permit. A permittee under this article shall not commence construction, excavation, street opening, tree trimming or maintenance of, upon, over, across or under the public rights-of-way in the City without first obtaining all necessary construction, excavation, street opening, tree trimming or other applicable permits as required under applicable City ordinances for construction, excavation, street opening, tree trimming or maintenance within the public rights-of-way.
(d) 
Lease or use of facilities; overlashing. A permittee under this article shall not lease, sublease, license or otherwise allow the use of wires, conduits, poles or facilities in the public rights-of-way by a person without securing from such person a representation that he has secured all necessary governmental approvals required to occupy space in the public right-of-way. A permittee shall not allow the property of a third party or nontelecommunications system wires or any other facilities to be overlashed, affixed or attached to any portion of a permittee's telecommunications system located in the public right-of-way, or allow other actions with a similar result without securing from such person a representation that all governmental approvals have been secured in order to occupy space in the public right-of-way.
(e) 
As-built maps.
(1) 
Without expense to the City, a permittee under this article shall provide the City with as-built maps, records and plans showing its telecommunications system, or portions thereof within the City, including those of affiliates used by the permittee, and maps and descriptive information of facilities of other persons used by the permittee. The City Manager may waive part or all of this requirement if satisfactory records of the location of the telecommunications system were previously provided to the City. The as-built maps, records and plans shall be provided within 30 days of the completion of the telecommunications system and any extensions, additions or modifications to the telecommunications system. In addition, a permittee, without expense to the City, shall, upon 48 hours' notice, give the City access to all as-built maps, records, plans and specifications showing its telecommunications system, or portions thereof, within the City. Upon request by the City, a permittee shall inform the City, as soon as possible, but no more than one business day after the request, of any changes from previously supplied maps, records or plans, and shall mark up maps provided by the City to show the location of its telecommunications system.
(2) 
A permittee shall have no recourse against the City for any loss, cost, expense or damage arising out of the failure of the City to have the authority to grant all, or any part of a permit or the authority to grant permission to use all or part of, the public rights-of-way. A permittee expressly acknowledges that upon accepting a permit, it did so relying on its own investigation and understanding of the power and authority of the City.
(f) 
No inducement. By acceptance of a permit under this article, a permittee acknowledges that it has not been induced to obtain the permit by any understanding, promise or other statement, whether verbal or written, by or on behalf of the City or a third person concerning any term or condition of a permit not expressed in this article.
(g) 
Acceptance of terms and conditions. A permittee under this article acknowledges by the acceptance of a permit that it has carefully read the terms and conditions of the permit, and does accept all of such terms and conditions.
(h) 
No priority. A permit under this article does not establish any priority of use of the public rights-of-way by a permittee over any present or future permittees or parties having agreements with the City or franchises for such use. In the event of any dispute as to the priority of use of the public rights-of-way, the first priority shall generally be to the public, the second priority shall be to the City, the third priority shall be to the state and its political subdivisions in the performance of their various functions, and thereafter as between permittees, other permit holders, parties having agreements with the City and franchisees, as determined by the City in the exercise of its powers, including the police power and other powers reserved to and conferred on it by the state.
(i) 
Future use by City. A permittee under this article acknowledges, by accepting a permit, that it obtains no rights to, or further use of, the public rights-of-way, other than those expressly granted in this article. Each permittee acknowledges and accepts as its own risk that the City may make use in the future of the public rights-of-way which a permittee is using or in which a permittee's telecommunications system is located in a manner inconsistent with the permittee's use of such public rights-of-way, and that in such event the permittee will not be entitled to compensation from the City.
(j) 
Expiration of permit. Unless the City grants an extension of a permit under this article, such permit shall expire one year from the date of issuance, unless prior to such time the permittee either:
(1) 
Commences construction, installation or operation of its telecommunications system within the public rights-of-way authorized by the permit and diligently pursues completion of construction or installation; or
(2) 
Commences use of the public rights-of-way to provide telecommunications services as authorized by the permit.
[Ord. of 11-17-1998, § 9]
(a) 
No burden on public rights-of-way. A permittee under this article and its contractors, subcontractors and telecommunications system shall not unduly burden or interfere with the present or future use of any of the public rights-of-way within the City. A permittee shall erect and maintain its telecommunications system so as to cause minimum interference with the use of the public rights-of-way, and with the rights and reasonable convenience of property owners. The permittee's cables and wires shall be suspended or buried so as not to endanger or injure persons or property in the public rights-of-way. If the City, in its reasonable judgment, determines that any portion of the telecommunications system located in the public right-of-way constitutes an undue burden or interference, the permittee, at its sole cost and expense, shall modify its telecommunications facilities or take such other actions as the City may determine are in the public interest to remove or alleviate the burden, and the permittee shall do so within a reasonable time period established by the City.
(b) 
Restoration of property. A permittee under this article, its contractors and subcontractors shall immediately restore, at the permittee's sole cost and expense, and in a manner approved by the City, any portion of the public rights-of-way that is in any way disturbed, damaged or injured by the construction, operation, maintenance or removal of the telecommunications system to as good or better condition than existed prior to the disturbance. If the permittee, its contractors or subcontractors fail to make such restoration within the time specified by the City, the City shall be entitled to complete the work and the permittee shall reimburse the City for the costs of such work, or the City may draw upon the letter of credit or bond posted by the permittee, at the City's sole option.
(c) 
Easements. Upon the request of the City, a telecommunications provider shall submit evidence of any easement or authorization to use private property for the construction or operation of its telecommunications system. Any easements over or under private property which necessary for the construction or operation of a telecommunications system shall be arranged for and obtained by the permittee. Any use or intrusion on private property without an easement or other instrument evidencing permission of the property owner to use such property shall constitute a trespass by the permittee and a violation of this article. Any easements over or under property owned by the City, other than the public rights-of-way, shall be separately negotiated with the City.
(d) 
Tree trimming. Subject to all applicable City ordinances, if any, a permittee under this article may trim trees upon and overhanging the public rights-of-way to prevent the branches of such trees from coming into contact with its telecommunications system. The permittee shall minimize the trimming of trees to trimming only those trees that are essential to maintain the integrity of its telecommunications system. No trimming shall be done in the public rights-of-way without previously informing the City. The permittee will use reasonable efforts to notify all affected property owners in advance of trimming trees on or adjacent to their properties.
(e) 
Pavement cut coordination; additional fees.
(1) 
A permittee under this article shall coordinate all construction work in the public rights-of-way with the City's program for street construction, rebuilding, resurfacing and repair, which shall be collectively known as "street resurfacing." A permittee shall meet with the official of the City primarily responsible for the public rights-of-way at least twice per year in order to comply with the requirement of this subsection.
(2) 
The goals of such coordination shall be to require a permittee to conduct all work in the public rights-of-way in conjunction with, or immediately prior to, any street resurfacing planned by the City, and to prevent the public rights-of-way from being disturbed by a permittee for a period of years after such street resurfacing.
(3) 
In addition to any other fees or payments required by this article, a permittee shall pay to the City the sum set from time to time by City Council resolution or ordinance for each foot cut into or excavation of any public rights-of-way, or portion thereof, which was subject to street resurfacing within 18 months prior to such cut or excavation. This fee is in addition to, and not in lieu of, the obligation to restore the public rights-of-way, and is in addition to all other fees required by this article.
(f) 
Marking. A permittee under this article shall mark any installations of its telecommunications system which occur after the effective date of the ordinance from which this article is derived, as follows:
(1) 
Aerial portions of its telecommunications system shall be marked with a marker on its lines on alternate poles which shall state the permittee's name and provide a toll-free telephone number to call for assistance.
(2) 
Direct buried underground portions of its telecommunications system shall have:
a. 
A conducting wire placed in the ground at least several inches above the permittee's cable, if such cable is nonconductive;
b. 
At least several inches above the conducting wire, a continuous colored tape with the permittee's name and toll-free telephone number and a statement that there is buried cable beneath; and
c. 
Stakes or other appropriate aboveground markers with the permittee's name and toll-free telephone number indicating that there is buried telephone cable below.
(3) 
Portions of its telecommunications system located in conduit, including facilities of others used by a permittee, shall be marked at each manhole with the permittee's name and toll-free telephone number to call for assistance.
(g) 
Compliance with laws. A permittee under this article shall comply with all laws, statutes, ordinances, rules and regulations regarding the installation, construction, ownership and use of its telecommunications system, whether federal, state or local, now in force or which may be promulgated, including, but not limited to, any ordinance requiring the installation of additional conduit when a permittee installs underground conduit for its telecommunications system. Before any installation is commenced, the permittee shall secure all necessary permits, licenses and approvals from all appropriate departments, agencies, boards or Councils of the City, or other governmental entities as may be required by law, including, but not limited to, all utility line and highway permits. A permittee shall comply in all respects with applicable codes and industry standards, including, but not limited to, the latest edition of the National Electrical Safety Code and the latest edition of the National Electrical Code. A permittee shall comply with all zoning and land use ordinances and historic preservation ordinances.
(h) 
Street vacating. If the City vacates or consents to the vacating of public rights-of-way within its jurisdiction, and such vacating necessitates the removal and relocation of a permittee's facilities in the vacated right-of-way, the permittee shall, as a condition of the permit, consent to the vacating and move its facilities, at its sole cost and expense, when ordered to do so by the City or a court of competent jurisdiction. The permittee shall relocate its facilities to such alternate route as the City, acting reasonably and in good faith, shall designate.
(i) 
Relocation. A permittee under this article may request to relocate its facilities above, below or within a public way. The City Manager may grant, grant with conditions or deny such request. If the City requests a permittee to relocate, protect, support, disconnect, place underground or remove its facilities because of street or utility work, or other public projects, the permittee shall relocate, protect, support, disconnect, place underground or remove its facilities, at its sole cost and expense, to such alternate route as the City, acting reasonably and in good faith, shall designate. The work shall be completed within the time period designated by the City.
(j) 
Public emergency. The City shall have the right to sever, disrupt, dig up or otherwise destroy facilities of a permittee under this article, without any prior notice, if such action is deemed necessary by the Mayor, City Manager, Police Chief, Fire Chief or their designees because of a public emergency. "Public emergency" means any condition which, in the opinion of an officer named in this subsection, poses an immediate threat to life, health or property, caused by any natural or man-made disaster, including, but not limited to, storms, floods, fires, accidents, explosions, major water main breaks, hazardous material spills, etc. The permittee shall be responsible for repair, at its sole cost and expense, of any of its facilities damaged pursuant to any such action taken by the City.
(k) 
MISS DIG system. If eligible to join, a permittee under this article shall subscribe to and be a member of MISS DIG, the association of utilities formed pursuant to Public Act No. 53 of 1974 (MCL 460.701 et seq.), and shall conduct its business in conformance with the statutory provisions and regulations promulgated under such act.
(l) 
Use of existing facilities; undergrounding. A permittee under this article shall utilize existing poles, conduits and other facilities, whenever practicable, and shall not construct or install any new, different or additional poles or other facilities unless expressly authorized by the permit. Where utility wiring is located underground, either at the time of initial construction or subsequent thereto, a permittee's telecommunications system shall also be located underground, unless otherwise expressly authorized by the permit. All undergrounding shall be at the sole cost and expense of the permittee.
(m) 
Underground relocation. If a permittee under this article has its facilities on poles of a municipal electric utility or any other public utility company, and such utility relocates its facilities underground, the permittee shall relocate its facilities underground in the same location at the permittee's sole cost and expense.
(n) 
Pole/conduit/trench license agreement; notification. If a permittee under this article forfeits or otherwise loses its rights under a pole/conduit/trench license agreement with any entity, the permittee shall notify the City Manager of such agreement in writing within 30 days.
(o) 
Identification. All personnel of a permittee under this article and its contractors or subcontractors who have as part of their normal duties contact with the general public shall wear on their clothing a clearly visible identification card bearing their name and photograph. A permittee shall account for all identification cards at all times. Every service vehicle of a permittee and its contractors or subcontractors shall be clearly identified as such to the public with the permittee's name.
(p) 
9-1-1 emergency service. As a condition of a permit under this article, a permittee providing local exchange service shall arrange to have 9-1-1 service provided within the City in accordance with the provisions of the applicable 9-1-1 service plan and the rules and orders of the state public service Council.
[Ord. of 11-17-1998, § 10]
(a) 
The City and its officers, agents, elected or appointed officials, employees, departments, boards and Councils shall not be liable to a permittee under this article or its affiliates or customers for any interference with or disruption in the operation of a permittee's telecommunications system or the provision of telecommunications services, or for any damages arising out of a permittee's use of the public rights-of-way.
(b) 
As a condition of a permit under this article, a permittee shall defend, indemnify, protect and hold harmless the City, its officers, agents, employees, elected and appointed officials, departments, boards and Councils from any and all claims, losses, liabilities, causes of action, demands, judgments, decrees, proceedings and expenses of any nature, including, but not limited to, attorneys' fees, arising out of or resulting from the acts or omissions of the permittee, its officers, agents, employees, contractors, successors or assigns, but only to the extent of the fault of the permittee, its officers, agents, employees, contractors, successors or assigns.
[Ord. of 11-17-1998, § 11]
(a) 
A permittee under this article shall obtain and maintain in full force and effect for the duration of its permit the following insurance covering all insurable risks associated with its ownership or use of its telecommunications system:
(1) 
A comprehensive general liability insurance policy, including completed operations liability, independent contractors' liability, contractual liability coverage and coverage for property damage from perils of explosion, collapse or damage to underground utilities, commonly known as XCU coverage, in an amount as adopted by resolution of the City Council from time to time.
(2) 
An automobile liability insurance policy covering vehicles used in connection with its activities under its permit in an amount as adopted by resolution of the City Council from time to time.
(3) 
Workers' compensation and employer's liability insurance with statutory limits.
(b) 
The City shall be named as an additional insured in all applicable insurance policies under this section. All insurance policies shall provide that such policies shall not be canceled or modified unless 30 days' prior written notice is given to the City. A permittee under this article shall provide the City with a certificate of insurance evidencing such coverage as a condition of issuance of the permit and shall maintain on file with the City a current certificate of insurance. All insurance shall be issued by insurance carriers licensed to do business by the state, or by surplus line carriers on the state insurance bureau's approved list of companies qualified to do business in the state. All insurance and surplus line carriers shall be rated A+ or better by A.M. Best Company or another rating agency approved by the City.
(c) 
If the insurance policies required by this section are written with deductibles in excess of $50,000, the deductibles shall be approved in advance by the City. A permittee under this article shall agree to indemnify and save harmless the City from and against the payment of any deductible and any premium on an insurance policy required to be furnished by this section.
(d) 
A permittee under this article shall require that its contractors and subcontractors working in public rights-of-way carry in full force and effect workers' compensation and employer liability, comprehensive general liability and automobile liability insurance coverages of the types which the permittee is required to obtain under Subsection (a) of this section, with the appropriate limits of coverage.
(e) 
The permittee's insurance coverage shall be primary insurance with respect to the City, its officers, agents, employees, elected and appointed officials, departments, boards and Councils. Any insurance or self-insurance maintained by the City, its officers, agents, employees, elected and appointed officials, departments, boards and Councils shall be in excess of the permittee's insurance, and shall not contribute to it.
[Ord. of 11-17-1998, § 12]
A permittee under this article shall not assign or transfer a permit, or any of its rights under a permit, in whole or in part, voluntarily, involuntarily or by operation of law, including by merger or consolidation or by other means, without the prior written consent of the City, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. The permittee shall reimburse the City for reasonable, actual costs, including attorneys fees, incurred in the review of a request by the permittee for consent to an assignment or transfer of the permit, or a transfer of control of a permittee or its business. Notwithstanding anything in this section to the contrary, the permittee may grant a security interest in its rights under a permit in favor of a third party without first obtaining the consent of the City. If a permit, or any rights under a permit, is assigned or transferred, in whole or in part, with the approval of the City, the terms and conditions of the permit and this article shall be binding upon the successors and assigns of the permittee. Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, if the transfer of a permit, is to an affiliate owned or controlled by the permittee, then no such approval shall be required, but the permittee shall provide written notice of such transfer to the City.
[Ord. of 11-17-1998, § 13]
(a) 
In addition to all other rights and powers reserved or pertaining to the City, the City reserves, as an additional separate and distinct remedy, the right to revoke a permit under this article and all rights and privileges of a permittee in any of the following events or for any of the following reasons:
(1) 
A permittee fails, after 30 days' prior written notice, to comply with any of the provisions of the permit or this article, except § 34-80(f);
(2) 
A permittee becomes insolvent, unable or unwilling to pay its debts, or is adjudged bankrupt;
(3) 
All or part of a permittee's facilities are sold under an instrument to secure a debt and are not redeemed by the permittee within 90 days from such sale;
(4) 
A permittee violates § 34-80(e), or otherwise attempts to or does practice any fraud or deceit in its conduct or relations with the City;
(5) 
The City condemns all of the property of a permittee within the City by the lawful exercise of eminent domain;
(6) 
A permittee abandons its telecommunications system or fails to seek renewal of its permit;
(7) 
A permittee fails to pay any fines due for violations of this article; or
(8) 
A permittee fails to pay any civil fines imposed by a court of competent jurisdiction, such as pursuant to an ordinance providing for civil infractions.
(b) 
No revocation of a permit under this article, except for reason of condemnation, shall be effective unless the City Council shall have adopted a resolution setting forth the reason for the revocation and the effective date, which resolution shall not be adopted without 30 days' prior notice to the permittee and a hearing at which the permittee shall receive rudimentary due process.
[Ord. of 11-17-1998, § 14]
(a) 
Underground. Upon revocation of a permit under this article, or upon expiration of a permit if the permit is not renewed, the permittee may remove any underground cable from the public rights-of-way which has been installed in such a manner that it can be removed without trenching or other opening of the streets along the extension of cable to be removed. Except as otherwise provided, the permittee shall not remove any underground cable or conduit which requires trenching or other opening of the public rights-of-way along the extension of the cable to be removed. The permittee shall remove, at its sole cost and expense, any underground cable or conduit which is ordered to be removed by the City based upon a determination, in the sole discretion of the City, that removal is required in order to eliminate or prevent a hazardous condition or promote future utilization of the streets for public purposes. Any order by the City to remove any cable or conduit shall be mailed to the permittee not later than 30 calendar days following the date of revocation or expiration of the permit. A permittee shall file written notice with the City Clerk not later than 30 calendar days following the date of expiration or termination of the permit of its intention to remove any cable and a schedule for removal by location. The schedule and timing of removal shall be subject to approval and regulation by the City. Removal shall be completed no later than 12 months following the date of revocation or expiration of the permit. Underground cable and conduit in the public rights-of-way which is not removed within such twelve-month period shall be deemed abandoned and, at the option of the City, title shall be vested in the City. For purposes of this subsection, the term "cable" means any wire, coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, feed wire or pull wire.
(b) 
Aboveground. Upon revocation of a permit under this article, or upon expiration of a permit if the permit is not renewed, a permittee, at its sole cost and expense, shall, unless relieved of the obligation by the City, remove from the public rights-of-way, all aboveground elements of its telecommunications system, including, but not limited to, poles, pedestal mounted terminal boxes and lines attached to or suspended from poles.
(c) 
Permits; restoration; completion. A permittee under this article shall apply for and obtain such encroachment permits, licenses, authorizations or other approvals and pay such fees and deposit such security as required by applicable laws or ordinances of the City. The permittee shall conduct and complete the work of removal of the elements of its telecommunications system in compliance with all such applicable laws or ordinances, and shall restore the public rights-of-way to the same condition they were in before the work of removal commenced.
[Ord. of 11-17-1998, § 15]
(a) 
Nothing in this article shall be construed as a waiver of any ordinances, Charter provisions, codes or regulations of the City, or the City's right to require a permittee under this article or persons utilizing the telecommunications system or telecommunications services to secure appropriate permits or authorization for such use.
(b) 
The City fully reserves its police powers to ensure and protect the public health, safety and welfare and its authority and power to amend this article at any time. The terms and conditions of any permit under this article shall be subject to compliance with any future amendments of this article. The City fully reserves its right to exercise the reasonable control of the public rights-of-way pursuant to Mich. Const. Art. VII, § 29.
(c) 
Nothing in this article or any permit under this article shall limit any right the City may have to acquire, by eminent domain, any property of a telecommunications provider.
(d) 
Nothing in this article or any permit under this article shall limit the authority of the City to impose a tax, fee or other assessment of any kind on any person. A telecommunications provider shall pay all fees necessary to obtain all federal, state and local licenses, permits and authorizations required for the construction, installation, maintenance or operation of its telecommunications system within the public rights-of-way.
[Ord. of 11-17-1998, § 16]
The various parts, sections and clauses of this article are declared to be severable. If any part, sentence, paragraph, section or clause of this article is adjudged to be unconstitutional or invalid by a court or administrative agency of competent jurisdiction, the remainder of the article shall not be affected by such judgment, except as otherwise provided in this section. If a court or administrative agency of competent jurisdiction determines, by a final, nonappealable order or an order from which no appeal has been taken within the time allowed, that any right or obligation of a permittee under this article is invalid, unconstitutional or unenforceable, then the permit shall become revocable and subject to termination without cause by either the City or the permittee upon 60 days' written notice. In the event of termination of a permit under this section by the City, the procedures for revocation set forth in § 34-88 shall be followed. In the event of termination of a permit under this section by either the City or the permittee, the provisions of § 34-89 for cable removal shall apply.