SECTION X-7. FRANCHISES.
   The Council, by ordinance, may grant permission to any person, firm or corporation to construct and operate a public utility in, on, across, under or above any public street or ground within the Municipality. It may prescribe in the ordinance the kind and quality of service or product to be furnished, the rate or rates to be charged therefor, and any other terms conducive to the public interest. Such grant may by action of Council be amended or renewed in the mannner and subject to the provisions established by this Charter for original grants. Such grant, amendment, or renewal, shall be for such period of time as Council may determine, and shall not be perpetual or exclusive.
   No consent of the owner of property abutting on any public street or ground shall be necessary to the effectiveness of any grant, amendment, or renewal, unless the construction or operation of the public utility authorized thereby is of such character as to constitute an additional burden upon such public street or ground. All such grants, amendments or renewals shall be made subject to the continuing right of council to provide reasonable regulations for the operation of such utilities with reference to such streets and public grounds, including the right to require such reconstruction, relocation or discontinuance of appliances, plant or equipment used in such streets or public grounds as shall, in the opinion of Council, be necessary to the public interest.