CITY CHARTER - 1995 Rev Feb 13 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

ordinance granting a franchise shall contain all the terms and conditions of the franchise. The grantee shall bear the costs of publication of the franchise ordinance and shall make a sufficient deposit with the Clerk-Administrator to guarantee publication before the ordinance is passed. Section 10.02. Term. No perpetual franchise or privilege shall be created, nor shall any exclusive franchise or privilege be granted for a period of more than twenty-five years. Section 10.03. Public Hearing. Before any franchise ordinance is adopted or any rates, fares, or prices to be charged by a public utility are fixed by the Council, the Council shall hold a public hearing on the matter. Notice of such hearing shall be published,at least once in the City Newsletter and in the official newspaper not less than ten days prior to the date of the hearing. Section 10.04. Power of Regulation Reserved. Subject to any applicable state law, the. Council may by ordinance reasonably regulate and control the exercise of any franchise, including the maximum rates, fares, or prices to be charged by the grantee. No franchise value shall be included in the valuation of the grantee's property in regulating utility rates, fares, or prices under any applicable state or municipal law, or regulation, or in proceedings for municipal acquisition of the grantee's property by purchase or eminent domain. Section 10.05. Renewals or Extensions. Every extension, renewal, or modification of any existing franchise, or of any franchise granted thereafter, • shall be subject to the same limitations and shall be granted in the same manner as a new franchise. CHAPTER 11 PUBLIC OWNERSHIP AND OPERATION OF UTILITIES • Section 11.01. Acquisition and Operation of Utilities. The City may own and operate any gas, water, heat, power, light, telephone or other public utility for supplying its own needs for utility service, or.for supplying utility service to private consumers or both. It may construct all facilities reasonably needed for that purpose, and may acquire any existing utility properties so needed; but such • action may only be taken by. ordinance, which shall not be an emergency ordinance. The operation of all public utilities owned by the City shall be under the supervision of the City Council. Section 11.02. Rates and Finances. The Council may by ordinance fix rates, fares and prices for municipal utilities, but such rates, fares and prices shall be just and reasonable. The Council shall endeavor to make each municipal utility financially self-sustaining. Before any rates, fares or prices for municipal utilities shall be fixed by the Council, the Council shall hold a public hearing on the matter in accordance with Section 11.06 of this chapter. The Council shall. prescribe the time and the manner in which payments for all such utility services Mounds View City Charter