The Council may by ordinance grant a non-exclusive franchise to any person, firm, or corporation to construct or operate a public utility on, across, under, over, or above any public street or real estate within the City for a period not in excess of twenty-five (25) years; and it may prescribe in the ordinance the kind or quality of service or product to be furnished, the rate or rates to be charged therefor, and such other terms as Council shall deem conducive to the public interest. Such franchise agreements may be amended or renewed in a manner subject to the provisions established by this Charter for original grants. No consent of any owner of property abutting on any public street or real estate shall be necessary to the effectiveness of any such grant, amendment, or renewal.
All grants, amendments, and renewals shall be made subject to the continuing right of the Council to provide reasonable regulations for the operation of such utilities with reference to such streets and public real estate, including the right to require such reconstruction, relocation, alteration, or removal of structures and equipment used in such streets or public real estate as shall, in the opinion of Council, be necessary in the public interest.
(Amended 11-4-97.)