No franchise shall be granted, extended or renewed by the city without the approval of a majority of the qualified electors residing within its corporate limits voting thereon at a primary, general or special election; and the mayor and council shall submit any matter for approval or disapproved to such election at any primary or general municipal election, or call a special election for such purpose at any time upon thirty (30) days' notice; and the mayor and council shall require, before calling any such election, that the estimated expense thereof (to be determined by the mayor and council) shall be first deposited by the applicant for such franchise with the clerk.
Cross References: Elections generally, ch. XVI.
All franchises or privileges hereafter granted shall plainly specify on what particular streets, alleys, avenues or other public property the same shall apply, and no franchise or privilege shall hereafter be granted by the city in general terms, or to apply to the city generally.
Limited only by the Constitution and the laws of the State of Arizona, the power to regulate the rates, fares and charges for public utility corporations is hereby reserved to the people, to be exercised by them in ordinance of the mayor and council, or in the manner herein provided for initiating and referring an ordinance.
Any right or regulation shall further include the right to require the uniform, convenient and adequate service to the public, and reasonable extensions of such service and of such public utility works.
No franchise, right or privilege or license shall be considered as granted by any ordinance except when granted therein in plain and unambiguous terms, and any and every ambiguity shall be construed in favor of the city and against the claimant under such ordinance.
Every ordinance granting any franchise shall prohibit the issuing of any stock on account thereof by any corporation holding, or doing any business under, said franchise. Any violation of the terms of this section shall, at the option of the city, operate as a forfeiture of said franchise.
The city shall have the right to license or tax streetcars, telephones, gas meters, electric meters, water meters, or any other similar device for measuring services; also telephone, telegraph, electric light and power poles, subways and wires. The said license or tax shall be exclusive of and in addition to all other taxes upon the property of the holder thereof.
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