(A) A franchise granted under this chapter may not be directly or indirectly transferred, assigned, or disposed of by sale, lease, merger, consolidation, or by other act of the franchisee, by operation of law or otherwise, without the prior written consent of the city, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.
(B) City consent conditions shall include, but shall not be limited to:
(1) The franchisee and the proposed assignee or transferee of the franchise shall agree in writing to assume and abide by all of the provisions of the franchise agreement;
(2) No transfer shall be approved unless the city determines the assignee or transferee has the legal, technical, and financial ability to comply with the provisions of this chapter and applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, or regulations;
(3) The franchisee shall reimburse the city for all direct and indirect fees, costs, and expenses reasonably incurred by the city in considering a request to transfer or assign a franchise, unless the city is expressly prohibited from requesting such reimbursement by state or federal statutes; and
(4) Any transfer or assignment of a franchise, system, or integral part of a system without prior city approval or without a valid franchise agreement shall be void and is cause for revocation of the franchise.
(Ord. 557-2019, passed 12-9-2020)