(a) Construction Bond. Prior to the commencement of any construction, a construction permittee, excluding the Municipality and the county, shall deposit with the Municipality an irrevocable, unconditional letter of credit and/or surety bond in an amount determined by the Municipality Solicitor 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 Municipality shall serve written notice to the construction permittee detailing the construction default, problem or deficiency. If the Municipality 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 Municipality may attach the letter of credit or surety bond. Upon attachment, written notice shall be served on the construction permittee by the Municipality.
(b) Removal Bond. Upon issuance of a certificate of registration and continuously thereafter, and until one hundred twenty days after a provider's facilities have been removed from the rights of way, (unless the Municipality notifies the provider that a reasonably longer period shall apply), a provider shall deposit with the Municipality and maintain an irrevocable, unconditional letter of credit or surety bond in an amount equal to or greater than One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00), the Municipality 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 Municipality 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 Municipality.
(c) Blanket Bond.
(1) In lieu of the construction bond required by Section 997.17(a) and the removal bond required by Section 997.17(b), provider may deposit with the Municipality an irrevocable, unconditional letter of credit and/or surety bond in the amount of Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000.00). Unless a construction default, problem or deficiency involves an emergency or endangers the safety of the general public, the Municipality 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 Municipality's attachment of the letter of credit or surety bond.
(d) Self Bonding. Any provider regulated by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio shall be considered self-bonded and the Municipality may use enforcement through the PUCO or courts of competent jurisdiction to enforce the bonding purposes of this chapter.
(e) Purposes.
(1) The bonds required by this section, and any self bonding to the extent it has been permitted, shall serve as security for:
A. The faithful performance by the permittee or provider of all terms, conditions and obligations of Chapter 997; and
B. Any expenditure, damage, or loss incurred by the Municipality occasioned by the permittee or provider's violation of Chapter 997 or its failure to comply with all rules, regulations, orders, permits and other directives of the Municipality issued pursuant to Chapter 997; and
C. The payment of all compensation due to the Municipality, including permit fees; and
D. The payment of premiums (if any) for the liability insurance required pursuant to Chapter 997; and
F. The payment to the Municipality of any amounts for which the permittee or provider is liable that are not paid by it's insurance or other surety; and
G. The payment of any other amounts which become due to the Municipality pursuant to Chapter 997 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 ninety 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 ninety days' written notice to Municipality of surety's intention to cancel or not renew this bond.
(Ord. 2019-06. Passed 6-13-19.)