SECTION 13.04. FRANCHISES.

   The Council may by ordinance grant permission to any person, firm, or corporation to construct and operate a public utility, or a portion thereof, on, across, under or above any public street or ground within the Municipality for a period not in excess of twenty-five (25) years.

   The Council may prescribe in the ordinance the kind or quality of service or product to be furnished, the rate or rates to be charged therefor, and such other terms as it deems conducive to the public interest.

   Such franchise may be amended or renewed in the manner and subject to the provisions established herein for original grants. No consent of the owner of property abutting on any public street or ground shall be necessary to the effectiveness of any such grant, amendment or renewal.

   All such grants, amendments and renewals shall be made subject to the continuing right of the Council to provide reasonable regulations for the operation of such utilities with reference to such streets and grounds, including the right to require such reconstruction, relocation, alteration or removal of structures and equipment used in such streets or public grounds as shall, in the opinion of the Council, be necessary in the public interest.