(A) Construction bond. Prior to the commencement of any construction, a construction permittee, excluding the village and Hamilton County, shall deposit with the village an irrevocable, unconditional letter of credit and/or surety bond in an amount determined by the Mayor to be appropriate based upon fair and reasonable criteria. Unless a construction default, problem or deficiency involves an emergency or endangers the safety of the general public, the village shall serve written notice to the construction permittee detailing the construction default, problem or deficiency. If the village determines that correction or repair of the construction default, problem or deficiency has not occurred or has not been substantially initiated within ten calendar days after the date following service and notification and detailing the construction default, problem or deficiency, then the village may attach the letter of credit or surety bond. Upon attachment, written notice shall be served on the construction permittee by the village.
(B) Removal bond. Upon issuance of a certificate of registration and continuously thereafter, and until 120 days after a provider's facilities have been removed from the rights-of-way, (unless the village notifies the provider that a reasonably longer period shall apply), a provider shall deposit with the village and maintain an irrevocable, unconditional letter of credit or surety bond in an amount equal to or greater than $100,000, the village shall make all reasonable efforts to allow provider a period of five calendar days after serving notification in writing to correct or repair any default, problem or deficiency prior to the village attachment of the letter of credit or surety bond regarding the removal of facilities. Upon attachment, written notice shall be provided to the provider by the village.
(C) Blanket bond. In lieu of the construction bond required by division (A) of this section and the removal bond required by division (B) of this section, provider may deposit with the village an irrevocable, unconditional letter of credit and/or surety bond in the amount of $5,000,000. Unless a construction default, problem or deficiency involves an emergency or endangers the safety of the general public, the village shall make all reasonable effort to allow permittee a period of five calendar days after sending notification in writing to correct or repair any default, problem or deficiency prior to village's attachment of the letter of credit or surety bond.
(D) Self bonding. In lieu of the construction bond required by division (A) of this section, the removal bond required by division (B) of this section and the blanket bond required by division (C) of this section, those providers maintaining a book value in excess of $50,000,000 may submit a statement to the village requesting to self-bond. If approval to self-bond is granted, a provider shall assure the village that such self-bonding shall provide the village with no less protection and security than would have been afforded to the village by a third party surety providing provider with the types and amounts of bonds detailed in the above named sections. This statement shall include:
(1) Audited financial statements for the previous year; and
(2) A description of the applicant's self-bonding program.
(3) Other applicable and pertinent information as reasonably requested by the village.
(E) Purposes. The bonds required by this section, and any self-bonding to the extent it has been permitted, shall serve as security for:
(1) The faithful performance by the permittee or provider of all terms, conditions and obligations of this chapter; and
(2) Any expenditure, damage, or loss incurred by the village occasioned by the permittee or provider's violation of this chapter or its failure to comply with all rules, regulations, orders, permits and other directives of the village issued pursuant to this chapter; and
(3) The payment of all compensation due to the village, including permit fees; and
(4) The payment of premiums (if any) for the liability insurance required pursuant to this chapter; and
(5) The removal of facilities from the rights-of-way pursuant to this chapter; and
(6) The payment to the village of any amounts for which the permittee or provider is liable that are not paid by its insurance or other surety; and
(7) The payment of any other amounts which become due to the village pursuant to this chapter or the law.
(F) Form. The bond documents required by this section and any replacement bond documents shall contain the following endorsement: "it is hereby understood and agreed that this bond may not be canceled or not renewed by the surety nor the intention to cancel or not to renew be stated by the surety until 90 days after completion of construction of the facilities and, notwithstanding the foregoing, shall in no case be canceled or not renewed by the surety until at least 90 days' written notice to village of surety's intention to cancel or not renew this bond.
(Ord. O-20-20, passed 10-26-2020)