CHAPTER 11
PUBLIC OWNERSHIP OF UTILITIES

   Section 11.01.   Authority to own and operate.The city may own and operate a water, gas, electric, district heating, telephone, transportation or other public utility authorized by law or this charter for supplying its own needs for utility service and products to others within or without the corporate limits of the city. The city may construct all facilities reasonably needed; maintain, enlarge, extend, repair and operate any such public utility; and may acquire any existing utility properties needed for that purpose. The city may, in lieu of or in addition to providing for the local production of gas, electricity or any other utility product, purchase such a product wholesale and resell it to others. The city may not acquire or construct a public utility unless the proposition to acquire or construct the public utility has been embodied in an ordinance, which may not be an emergency ordinance, adopted by the council.

   Section 11.02.   Regulations and rates.Except as otherwise provided in chapter 12 of this charter as it relates to utilities under the jurisdiction of the public service commission, the council may by ordinance fix rates and charges for municipal utility services, prescribe the time and manner of payment for the services; and make such other regulations; including penalties for their violation as may be necessary for the protection, maintenance, operation, extension and improvement of the utilities and for the sale of the city's utility products and services.

   Section 11.03.   Lease of utility.With the prior approval of the public service commission concerning utilities under the jurisdiction of the commission, the council may by ordinance, which may not be an emergency ordinance, adopted by six members of the council, contract for a term not to exceed ten years with any person, firm or corporation for the operation of any utility owned by the city upon such terms and conditions as the council deems necessary.

   Section 11.04.   Sale of public utility.A public utility or any specific part thereof owned by the city may not be sold or otherwise disposed of by the city unless the full terms of the proposition of sale or other disposition are embodied in an ordinance approved by a majority of the voters voting thereon at a general or special election and approved by the public service commission concerning utilities under the jurisdiction of the commission. The sale, lease or abandonment of a water utility or an electric utility is subject to the requirements of applicable law.

   Section 11.05.   Other services.The city may construct, operate, maintain and dispose of sanitation facilities and other public service enterprises from which a revenue sufficient to maintain the service is or may be derived within or without the corporate limits of the city.

   Section 11.06.   Additional powers.The powers granted to the city by this chapter are in addition to and not in substitution for any other power granted to the city by law or this charter.