Section 1. The Village shall not own or operate any public utility, nor shall it grant a franchise that is not revocable at the will of the Village for the operation of any public utility within the Village limits other than for electric service, telephone service, gas service or public transportation, unless the same shall first have been approved by three-fifths (3/5) of the electors voting thereon at a general or special elections. (Amended 11-8-16)
Section 2. No franchise which is not revocable at the will of the Village shall be granted or become operative until approved by three-fifths (3/5) of the electors voting thereon at a general or special election. (Amended 11-8-16)
Section 3. No franchise shall be granted for a longer period than thirty (30) years.
Section 4. No person, firm or corporation shall ever be granted an exclusive franchise.
Section 5. No public utility shall have the right to the use of the highways, streets, alleys or other public places for wires, poles, pipes, tracks, conduits or the like without first obtaining a proper permit from the Council, which permit shall be revocable at any time.
Section 6. All contracts granting, renewing, extending or amending a franchise shall be made by ordinance and not otherwise, and shall not be effective until a written acceptance is filed by the grantee with the Village Clerk.
Section 7. The grant of every franchise shall be subject to the right of the Village to make and enforce all regulations which shall be necessary to secure adequate and efficient service from all public utilities operating in the Village, and to protect the health, safety and welfare of the public.