Any person, contractor, or utility desiring to cut, open, or otherwise excavate any street, sidewalk, drainage component, or public place, whether paved or unpaved, in the city, for any purpose, shall apply to the Director of Public Works for a permit to do so. city permits covered under this section include abutment, street cut, and excavation on city rights-of-way or properties. The application shall be accompanied with a fee of $0.50 per linear foot for excavations involving utility street cuts and abutments. Permitting forms as prescribed by the Director of Public Works shall contain such pertinent information as may be required by him or her, including but not limited to, the following: the purpose of the proposed excavation; the site at which the work is to be done; the date work is to begin and the expected duration of the work; and the name and address of the person for whose benefit the proposed work is to be done and who shall be responsible for all required safeguards, the diligent prosecution of the work, the restoration of the surface, the payment of all expenses incurred and compliance with all requirements of this article, and the application shall be signed by such person or by someone authorized by the owner, utility company, or the contractor employed to do the work.