The mayor shall keep himself fully informed as to the compliance by all public utility companies in all respects with law or ordinance, and he or she shall see that all provisions of all franchises, permits and privileges granted by the city are faithfully observed.
The mayor or the council may, and, on written request of the city manager, the council shall cause to be instituted on behalf of the city, such actions or proceedings as may be necessary to prosecute persons, firms or corporations owning, controlling or operating public utilities, for violations of law or ordinances, and as may be necessary to revoke, cancel, annul or regulate the exercise of any franchises, permits or privileges that may have been granted by the city to any person, firm or corpora-tion, which have become forfeitable in whole or in part or which for any reason are illegal or void or voidable or negligently exercised. The city attorney, on direction of the mayor or of the council, must institute and prosecute the necessary actions to enforce the provisions of this section.
Editor's note: This section was amended by the voters of the city on March 26, 1996.