All franchises granting the right of occupancy of any portion of the streets or alleys for works of public utility or service, or granting any right or privilege which the City has the power to grant to individuals, firms, or corporations, in order that the latter may serve the public, may be made, but only upon the following restrictions and conditions: All such franchises, rights and privileges shall be granted by ordinance duly passed by the Council.
No grant of any such franchise shall be made without, at the time of making it, providing that the grantee shall indemnify the City against all damages caused by construction, maintenance or operation of such works. Additional provisions and conditions shall be made for the protection of the public against damage or inconvenience by reason of the construction, maintenance or operation thereof.
No grant of a franchise for the extension of or addition to any line or work of public service through, over or under any additional street or territory of the City, shall be made for a period extending beyond the time limited for the expiration of franchise of the principal work of which it is an extension and if the franchise of the principal work is one granted before this Charter goes into effect and not limited as to time, any franchise granted for an extension or addition thereto shall, nevertheless, be made subject to the conditions thereof, including a time limit for a period not exceeding fifty years.
No franchise shall be granted without the affirmative vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to said Council.