Sec. 6. Utility license and tax authorized.

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.

Sec. 7. Franchised public carriers not to charge mail carriers, policemen, firemen.

The grant of every franchise for a street, suburban or interurban railroad, or any public carrier of passengers, shall provide that all United States mail carriers and all policemen and firemen of the city in uniform shall, at all times, while in the actual discharge of their duties, be allowed to ride on the passenger vehicles of any such aforementioned carrier within the boundaries of the city, without paying therefor, and with all rights of other passengers.

Sec. 8. Authority to require raising or lowering of railroad tracks.

The mayor and council shall by ordinance require, under proper penalties, any railroad company, whether steam or electric, to elevate or lower any of its tracks running over, along or across any of the streets, avenues or alleys of the city, whenever in the opinion of the mayor and council the public safety or convenience requires.

Sec. 9. Franchises subject to certain rights of city.

The grant of every franchise or privilege shall be subject to the right of the city, whether in terms reserved or not, to make all regulations which shall be necessary to secure, in the most ample manner, the safety, welfare and accommodation of the public, including, among other things, the right to pass and enforce ordinances to require proper and adequate extensions of the service of such grant, and to protect the public from danger or inconvenience in the operation of any work or business authorized by the grant of the franchise, and the right to make and enforce all such regulations as shall be reasonably necessary to secure adequate, sufficient and proper service, extensions and accommodations for the people, and insure their comfort and convenience.

Sec. 10. Exclusive franchises prohibited; renewal of franchises before expiration.

No exclusive franchise shall ever be granted, and no franchise shall be renewed before three (3) years prior to its expiration.

Sec. 11. Consent required to lease or assign franchises.

No franchise granted by the city shall ever be leased, assigned or otherwise alienated without the express consent of the city, and no dealing with the lessee or his assigns, on the part of the city, to require the performance of any act, or payment of any compensation, by the lessee or his assigns shall be deemed to operate as such consent.