(A) (1) A franchisee shall construct and maintain its facilities in accordance with all applicable federal, state and local laws, including all permit requirements, the Louisville Metro Public Works and Assets Utility Policy, and fee payments, and all other city codes and ordinances in effect as of the date of the award of its franchise or thereafter adopted or amended, to the full extent permitted by state or federal law. The grant of a franchise does not in any way affect the continuing authority of the city through the proper exercise of its home rule or statutory powers to adopt and enforce ordinances necessary to provide for the health, safety, and welfare of the public. The city makes no express or implied representation or warranty regarding its rights to authorize the installation or construction of facilities on any particular segment of rights-of-way. The burden and responsibility for making all such determinations in advance of construction or installation shall be entirely upon the franchisee.
(2) The use of the rights-of-way authorized by any franchise shall in all matters be subordinate to the city’s use and rights therein.
(B) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing:
(1) All rights and privileges granted herein are subject to the police powers of the city and its rights under applicable laws and regulations to regulate the construction, operation, and maintenance of franchisee’s system, including, but not limited to, the right to adopt and enforce additional ordinances and regulations as the city shall find necessary in the exercise of its police powers, the right to adopt and enforce applicable zoning, building, permitting, and safety ordinances and regulations, the right to adopt and enforce regulations relating to equal employment opportunities, and the right to adopt and enforce ordinances and regulations concerning the rights-of-way and utility standards;
(2) The city reserves the right to exercise its police powers, notwithstanding anything in this chapter and in any franchise to the contrary. Any conflict between the provisions of this chapter or a franchise and any other present or future lawful exercise of the city’s police powers shall be resolved in favor of the latter;
(3) The franchisee shall not be excused from complying with any of the requirements of this chapter or any subsequently adopted amendments to this chapter, by any failure of the city on any one or more occasions to seek, or insist upon, compliance with such requirements or provisions; and
(4) Any franchise granted pursuant to this chapter shall be subject to any present and future legislation or resolution, which may be enacted by the city, and to the Louisville Metro Public Works and Assets Utility Policy.
(Ord. 2 S2018/2019, passed 10-8-2018)