Street opening permits shall only be granted upon compliance with the following express provisions:
(a) A written application shall be filed with the Department of Public Works for making all street openings or excavations and signed by the person desiring such permit. Such application shall set forth the purpose for which such excavation is to be made; the size and location of the same; the full scope of work to be included in the project; the date or dates during which such excavation is to be performed; the date such excavation is to be refilled and resurfaced in the manner hereinafter provided; and shall provide that the applicant will faithfully comply with each and every provision contained in this article. An applicant shall furnish a drawing of the proposed opening site upon request of the Department. Items required on the drawing shall be specified at the time of request.
(b) Prior to the issuing of such permit, every such applicant shall pay to the City Treasurer the amount hereinafter required for the purposes specified and shall exhibit to the Department a receipt for the amount paid. Public utilities recognized by the Pennsylvania Utilities Commission may be exempt from pre-payment. Those exempt utilities will be issued permits upon request followed by a quarterly billing cycle for completed work.
(c) Where the street opening permit is required for water supply purposes, the application shall be countersigned by the City’s plumbing inspection service or authorized person before the permit will be granted. Where the street opening permit is required for sewer service purposes, the application shall be countersigned by the City’s plumbing inspection service or authorized person before the permit will be granted.
(d) No permit shall be granted to any applicant unless the applicant has paid to the City any and all moneys, then due to the City, for prior excavations made or for any loss, damages or expense in any manner occasioned by or arising from the work done by the applicant under the provisions of this article.
(e) Agree to save the City, its officers, employees and agents from any and all costs, damages and liabilities which may accrue or be claimed to accrue by reason of such work to be done by the applicant under the provisions of this article. The acceptance of any permit under this article shall constitute such an agreement by the applicant whether the same is expressed or not.
(f) An applicant shall secure a certificate of insurance from the Department and have the certificate properly executed by the applicant’s insurance agency. Properly executed certificates of insurance shall be filed with the Department and verify that the applicant is insured against claims for personal injury as well as against claims for property damages which may arise from or out of the performance of the excavation work, whether such performance be by the applicant or anyone directly or indirectly employed by him. Such insurance shall include protection against liability arising from completed operations, underground utility damage and collapse of any property. Liability insurance shall be in the amounts established by Council resolution. Failure of an applicant to file a certificate of insurance shall be a sufficient reason for denying a permit. The applicant shall save and hold harmless the City from any and all damages and liability by reason of personal injury or property damage arising from work done by the applicant under the provisions of this article. Liability insurance requirements for blasting may be obtained and blasting permits shall be obtained from the City Fire Department.
(Ord. 37-2005. Passed 9-20-05.)