The owners of telephone lines operating in the state are granted the right to use the public grounds, streets, highways and alleys subject to the control of the proper city authorities under their police power as to what ground, street, alley and highway the lines shall run over and across and the place the poles to support the wires are located; and whereas the proper performance of the police power of the city in exercising such control of the use of the streets and alleys in the city, and the inspection of the construction of telephone lines and equipment and the location thereof, both over and under the ground, the city incurs expense and renders service therewith which should be borne and compensated for by the owners of the telephone lines. (2000 Code § 7-501)