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tions. As in the previous uniform ordinance, emergency openings UNIFORM GAS FRANCHISE 1 may be made without a permit, but application for a permit must SUBSTANTIAL CHANGES TO FIRST MINNEGASCO DRAFT be made within two days of the opening. Section 3.3 changes the company proposal which would have Section 1.4 defines public ground so as to extend the protec- j required it to restore public ground to its previous condition tion of a permit system to all public grounds, not-just streets. i "-insofar as reasonably possible," to now provide for restoration It also includes "utility easements" as to which the city is I� to as good condition as formerly and that the company use reason- trustee under law. This includes, for instance, plat dedications able care to maintain the restoration for two years. The revi- of lot line strips for public utilities. sion also requires proper clean-up 'and allows the city to clean Section 2 makes the expiration of all uniform franchises the up and restore, at the company's expense, if the company fails to same date, approximately 20 years forward. Besides shortening do so. Besides charging the company its costs (including admin the period from 25 years as proposed, this will allow renegotia- istrative fees) a liquidated damage of ten percent can be added tions of a uniform franchise. The section also specifically if the city does the work. subjects all construction activity of the company to zoning and Section 3.4 modifies the company's draft.3.3 by adding the permit regulations of the city. Under the company draft, no second and.third full paragraphs, which are drawn from the corres- mention was made of permitting or zoning requirements. ponding provisions in the previous SRA uniform franchise. Section 2.4 adds a permissive franchise fee of up to five Section 3.5 adds the last clause to the corresponding com- percent of the gross revenues from gas sales in the city. The pany draft paragraph, Section 3.4. The company objects to provision is substantially taken from Burnsville's franchise bearing the cost of relocation to benefit private owners who ordinance. It should be noted that under MPUC rules a franchise acquire former public ground following a vacation. Under the fee must be shown separately on gas bills. company draft, however, even a relocation pursuant to a vacation Section 3 is a substantial expansion of the company's pro- for a public purpose would require the city to pay the relocation posal, and it is quite similar to the corresponding provision in cost. The SRA draft requires the company to bear relocation the first SRA uniform franchise. Section 3.2 imposes a- permit costs where a vacation is for the benefit of the city and is for requirement for opening public ground and allows a permit fee. a public purpose. The permit allows the city to approve the construction proposed Section 3.6 has no corresponding section in the company by the company. It also prohibits discriminatory permit condi- draft. It provides for notice to the company of permanent paving 2