The Council may grant franchises by ordinance. Franchise rights shall always be subject to the superior right of the public to the use of streets and public places. All persons desiring to make any burdensome use of the streets or public places, inconsistent with the public's right in such places, or desiring the privilege of placing in, over, upon, or under any street or public place any permanent or semi-permanent fixtures for the purpose of constructing or operating railways, telegraphing, or transmitting electricity, or transporting by pneumatic tubes, or for furnishing to the City or its inhabitants or any portion thereof, transportation facilities, water, light, heat, power, gas, or any other such utility, or for any other purpose, shall be required to obtain a franchise before proceeding to make such use of the streets or public places or before proceeding to place such fixtures in such places. (1988 Code § 2.72)