Chapter 31A

 

                                 TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICE PROVIDERS

 

                    Art. I.          Purpose, Findings and Definitions, §§ 31A-1—31A-9

                                                   Art. II.          License or Franchise to Occupy Rights-of-Way,

                                                                         §§ 31A-10—31A-19

                                                  Art. III.          Rental Fees for Use of Public Rights-of-Way,

                                                                         §§ 31A-20—31A-29

                                                  Art. IV.          Location and Relocation of Facilities in Rights-of-Way,

                                                                         §§ 31A-30—31A-39

                                                   Art. V.          General Provisions, §§ 31A-40—31A-42

 

                             ARTICLE I.  PURPOSE, FINDINGS AND DEFINITIONS

 

Sec. 31A-1.  Purpose and findings.

 

         (a)     The purpose of this chapter is to establish a policy governing the management of public highways for the provision of telecommunications services to enable the city to:

 

                  (1)     Issue licenses and franchises to telecommunications corporations who use the public highways to provide telecommunications services on a competitively neutral and nondiscriminatory basis, except in cases where state law forbids establishment of a license or franchise requirement;

 

                  (2)     Manage the public highways in order to minimize the impact and cost to Tempe citizens of the placement of telecommunications facilities within public highways;

 

                  (3)     Manage the public highways so as to maximize their efficient use, thereby minimizing the foreclosure of future additional uses of such rights-of-way; and

 

                  (4)     Minimize congestion, inconvenience, visual impact, and other adverse effects on the city's public highways.

 

         (b)     Therefore, in this chapter the city council intends:

 

                  (1)     To ensure that locally elected officials manage local public highways consistent with their fiduciary trust obligations;

 

                  (2)     To ensure compliance with public health, safety and welfare measures for public highways;

 

                  (3)     To encourage public-private partnerships to provide telecommunications facilities needed for the most cost-effective delivery of public services, including schools, libraries, police and fire protection, as well as private services;

 

                  (4)     To conserve the limited physical capacity of the public highways held in public trust by the city; and

 


                  (5)     To assure that the city's current and ongoing costs of granting and regulating private access to and use of the public highways are fully paid by the persons seeking such access and causing such costs.

(Ord. No. 97.69, 12-11-97; Ord. No. 99.14, 6-10-99)

 

Sec. 31A-2.  Definitions.

 

         For the purpose of this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires, the following terms, phrases, words and their derivatives shall have the meanings given herein.

 

         Cable services and cable system shall have the same meaning as defined in Chapter 10 of the Tempe City Code.

 

         Commercial mobile radio service means two (2) way voice commercial mobile radio service as defined by the Federal Communications Commission in 47 U.S.C. § 157.

 

         Facilities means the plant, equipment and property used in the provision of telecommunications services and not owned by the city, including but not limited to poles, wires, pipe, conduits, pedestals, antenna and other appurtenances placed in, on or under public highways.

 

         Provider means a telecommunications corporation who constructs, installs, operates or maintains telecommunications facilities in the city public highways.

 

         Public highway or highway means all roads, streets and alleys and all other dedicated public rights-of-way and public utility easements of the city.

 

         Rights-of-way shall have the same meaning as public highway or highway.

 

         Telecommunications means the transmission, between or among points specified by the user, of information of the user’s choosing, without change in the form or content of the information as sent and received.  The term does not include commercial mobile radio services, pay phone services, interstate services or cable services.

 

         Telecommunications corporation means any public service corporation to the extent that it provides telecommunications services in this state. 

 

         Telecommunications services means the offering of telecommunications for a fee directly to the public, or to such users as to be effectively available directly to the public, regardless of the facilities used.

 (Ord. No. 97.69, 12-11-97; Ord. No. 99.14, 6-10-99)

 

Secs. 31A-3—31A-9.  Reserved.

 


ARTICLE II.  LICENSE OR FRANCHISE TO OCCUPY RIGHTS-OF-WAY

 

Sec. 31A-10.  License or franchise required.

 

         (a)     No telecommunications corporation shall install, maintain, construct or operate telecommunications facilities in any public highway in the city unless a license to use the highways to provide telecommunications services has first been granted by the city council under this chapter or a franchise awarded by the electorate under Article XIII of the Arizona Constitution and this chapter to such telecommunications corporation.

 

         (b)     Notwithstanding subsection (a), any telecommunications corporation that was providing telecommunications service within the State of Arizona as of October 31, 1997, pursuant to a grant made to it or its lawful predecessors prior to the effective date of the Arizona Constitution, may continue to provide telecommunications services pursuant to that state grant, until and unless the state grant is lawfully repealed, revoked or amended, and need not obtain any further authorization from the city to provide telecommunication services; provided, however, that such entity must in all other respects comply with the requirements applicable to telecommunications corporations, as provided in Title 9, Chapter 5, Article 7, Arizona Revised Statutes.

 

         (c)     Nothing in this chapter shall be deemed to affect the terms or conditions of any franchise, license or permit issued by the city prior to the effective date of the amendments to this chapter, or to release any party from its obligations thereunder.  Those franchises, licenses or permits shall remain fully enforceable in accordance with their terms.  The city manager, with the consent of the city council, may enter into agreements with franchise holders, licensees or permittees to modify or terminate an existing franchise, license or agreement.

 

         (d)     A license or franchise to any telecommunications corporation to use the highways to install, maintain, construct or operate telecommunications facilities under this chapter shall not authorize the use of the highways to provide any other service; nor shall the issuance of the same invalidate any franchise, license or permit that authorizes the use of the highways for such other service; nor shall the fact that an entity holds a franchise, license or permit to make any other use of the highway or to provide any other service authorize installation, maintenance, construction or operation of telecommunications facilities in any highway in the city without obtaining a license or franchise hereunder.

 

         (e)     Any license or franchise granted shall not be exclusive.

 

         (f)      A telecommunications licensee may enter into contracts for use of its facilities within the public highways to provide telecommunication services.  Persons using such licensee’s facilities must themselves obtain a telecommunication license if such person constructs, installs, operates or maintains telecommunication facilities within the public highway of the city.  If the persons using such licensee’s facilities do not construct, install, operate or maintain telecommunication facilities within the public highway of the city, such persons need not obtain a separate license but the telecommunications licensee must disclose the identity of such persons to the city.

(Ord. No. 97.69, 12-11-97; Ord. No. 99.14, 6-10-99)


Sec.  31A-11.  License or franchise application.

 

         (a)     A telecommunications corporation desiring a license or franchise under this chapter to construct, install, operate and maintain telecommunication facilities in streets and other highways in the city shall file an application with the public works manager requesting at the applicant’s election, either a license or a franchise, in the form prescribed by the public works department, and shall pay a fee determined by the public works department.  The amount of the fee shall be reasonably related to the cost directly incurred by the city to process the application and can be appealed to the city council.

 

         (b)     Each application shall, at a minimum, include the following information:

 

                  (1)     Show where the facilities the applicant will use will be located, or contain such other information as the city may deem necessary in order to ensure that the applicant will comply with requirements for use of the highways;

 

                  (2)     Identify the applicant, its name, address and telephone number;

 

                  (3)     Contain a description of the services to be provided; and

 

                  (4)     Set out a description of any agreement with any other entity that would permit such entity to use the facilities.

 

         (c)     Upon receiving an application for a franchise or license that satisfies the conditions of subsection (b), the city shall promptly proffer a telecommunications franchise or license to the applicant for its review, and may inquire into matters relevant to the issuance of the license or franchise.  If the applicant agrees to the terms and conditions of the franchise or license, and otherwise satisfies the conditions set forth herein, the request shall be submitted to city council with a recommendation for approval (in the case of a license) or scheduled for a franchise election (in the case of an application for a franchise).  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the city need not issue or renew a license, or schedule a franchise election if the applicant has previously had its telecommunications services license or franchise revoked, or for any other reason permitted under Arizona law.

(Ord. No. 97.69, 12-11-97; Ord. No. 99.14, 6-10-99; Ord. No. 2001.17, 7-26-01)

 

Sec. 31A-12.  License terms.

 

         (a)     Length of license.  Any license granted by the city pursuant to this chapter shall commence upon adoption of the license and acceptance of the license by the provider. The license shall be effective for a period determined by the city council, but not to exceed five (5) years, and subject to the conditions and restrictions provided in the instrument and this chapter.

 

         (b)     License or franchise agreement. As a condition of issuing or renewing a license or franchise to use the public highways to construct, install, operate and maintain telecommunication facilities, the city may require the applicant to:

 

                  (1)     Show proof of receipt of a certificate of public convenience and necessity from the Arizona Corporation Commission;

 

                  (2)     Agree to comply with highway use requirements that the city may establish from time to time;

 

                  (3)     Agree to provide and maintain accurate maps showing the location of all the facilities it will use in the highways within the city, and to comply with such other mapping requirements as the city may establish from time to time;

 

                  (4)     Obtain the insurance, and provide proof of insurance as required by the city; post the performance bonds and security fund required by the city; and agree to fully indemnify the city, its officers, agents, boards and commissions, in a form satisfactory to the city; and agree that it shall have no recourse whatsoever against the city or its officials, boards, commissions, agents or employees for any loss, costs, expense or damages arising out of any provision or requirement of expense or damages arising out of any provision or requirement of the city because of the enforcement of the license or franchise or because of defects in this chapter or the license or franchise issued;

 

                  (5)     Agree to comply with and be bound by the administrative and enforcement provisions as may be prescribed from time to time by the city.  Every franchise or license shall be subject to the following administrative and enforcement provisions:

 

                           a.      Franchises and licenses shall be personal to the franchisee or licensee. Except as provided in the license or franchise, no transfer of a franchise, franchisee, licensor or licensee, or change of control over the same (including, but not limited to, transfer by forced or voluntary sale, merger, consolidation, receivership, or any other means) shall occur unless prior application is made to the city and the city’s prior written consent is obtained, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.  In making a determination as to whether to approve a transfer, the city may consider the same information and qualifications required of an original application for a license or franchise; whether the licensee or franchisee is in compliance with its license or franchise and this chapter and, if not, the proposed transferee’s commitment to cure such noncompliance; whether the transfer would result in an evasion of other applicable provisions of law, or impair lawful contracts; and the effect of the transfer on the city’s interests.  No application for a transfer of a license or franchise shall be granted unless the proposed transferee agrees in writing that it will abide by and accept all terms of this chapter and the license or franchise, and that it will assume all obligations, liabilities, and responsibility for all acts and omissions, known and unknown, of the previous licensee or franchisee under this chapter and the license or franchise for all purposes, including renewal.  Approval by the city of a transfer of a license or franchise does not constitute a waiver or release of any of the rights of the city under this chapter or the franchise or license, whether arising before or after the date of the transfer;

 


                           b.      Every franchisee or licensee shall be subject to the city’s exercise or such police, regulatory and other powers as it now has or may later obtain, and a franchise or license may not waive the application of the same;

                          

                           c.      Penalties for violation of franchise or license;

 

                           d.      Damages for violation of the franchise or license terms.  Any remedies available to the city are cumulative, and are not limited by the recovery of any amounts pursuant to the insurance provisions of the license or franchise, or pursuant to any indemnity clause;

 

                           e.      A requirement that if the franchisee or licensee fails to pay amounts owed to the city by the time prescribed for payment, the franchisee or licensee shall pay interest on the amounts owed, at the rate of one percent (1%) per month; and

 

                           f.       A requirement that franchisee or licensee shall produce books and records for the city’s inspection and copying, prepare reports, respond to questions and permit the city to have access to its facilities as the city may request in order to determine whether licensee or franchisee has complied with its obligations under the franchise or license, or other applicable law; and  

           

                  (6)     A licensee that receives a telecommunications service license pursuant to this chapter may apply for a renewal of its license, which renewal shall be reviewed in accordance with the requirement of state law.

 

         (c)     No warranty. The issuance of a license, permit or other authorization by the city is not a representation or warranty that such license, permit, or authorization is a legally sufficient substitute for a franchise, and is not a representation of warranty that a franchise is not required.

(Ord. No. 97.69, 12-11-97; Ord. No. 99.14, 6-10-99)

 

Sec. 31A-13.  Limited licenses authorized.

 

         The city council may issue limited, non-exclusive licenses under the following circumstances:

 

         (1)     De minimus license. The city council may issue a limited license to authorize placement of interstate fiber-optic telecommunications facilities within city rights-of-way in the event the facilities do not exceed ten (10) lineal miles in total length of installation and connect only to interstate telecommunication carrier points of presence, and to no other connection within the city. Said license shall provide for quarterly payments to the city of a right-of-way occupancy fee for each lineal foot of installation on the bases of fair market value and cost, as determined by the city council at the time of the granting of the license and adjusted periodically thereafter at the city's discretion. The license may also contain such additional terms and conditions as the city council may approve consistent with the purposes and findings in this chapter and applicable law;

 


         (2)     Transitting traffic license. The city council may issue a limited license to authorize use of the city's rights-of-way solely for the purpose of providing telecommunications service where no sale or exchange of service originates or terminates in the city. Said license shall provide for quarterly payments to the city of a right-of-way occupancy fee for each lineal foot of installation on the bases of fair market value and cost, as determined by the city council at the time of the granting of the license and adjusted periodically thereafter at the discretion of the city. The license may also contain such other terms and conditions as the city council may approve consistent with the purposes and findings in this chapter and applicable law; or

 

         (3)     Wireless facilities license. The city council may issue a limited license to authorize the installation, operation or maintenance of wireless telecommunication facilities, such as antennas, within the city's rights-of-way. Said license shall provide for quarterly payments to the city of a right-of-way occupancy fee for each site or installation on the bases of fair market value and cost, as determined by the city council at the time of the granting of the license and adjusted periodically thereafter at the discretion of the city. The license may contain such other terms and conditions as the city council may approve consistent with the purposes and findings in this chapter and applicable law.

(Ord. No. 97.69, 12-11-97)

 

Sec. 31A-14.  Right-of-way permit.

 

         The public works manager shall not issue a right-of-way construction permit or other authorization for a provider to construct or install telecommunications facilities in the city's rights of way unless the provider has first obtained the license or franchise required to occupy the city's rights-of-way under this chapter.

(Ord. No. 97.69, 12-11-97; Ord. No. 2001.17, 7-26-01)

 

Secs. 31A-15—31A-19.  Reserved.

 


ARTICLE III.  RENTAL FEES FOR USE OF PUBLIC RIGHTS-OF-WAY

 

Sec. 31A-20.  Repealed.

 (Ord. No. 97.69, 12-11-97; Ord. No. 99.14, 6-10-99)

 

Sec. 31A-21.  Compensation.

 

         (a)     The city shall not levy a tax, rent, fee or charge to a telecommunications corporation for the use of a public highway to provide telecommunications services, or levy a tax, fee or charge upon the privilege of engaging in the business of providing telecommunications services, except that, in connection with its provisions of telecommunications services and its use of the highways to provide the same, each telecommunications corporation shall:

 

                  (1)     Pay a transaction privilege tax on the business of providing telecommunications services or applicable use tax, as may be specified from time to time in the Tempe City Code;

 

                  (2)     Pay public highway construction permit fees established from time to time by the city; and

 

                  (3)     Pay all reasonable costs associated with the construction, maintenance and operation of its facilities in the public highways used to provide telecommunications services, including reasonable costs associated with damage caused to the public highways.

 

            (b)        The public works manager is authorized to review the costs associated with construction, maintenance and operation of facilities in the public highways to provide telecommunications services and to establish any fee required to recover those costs.

 

         (c)     Nothing in this section is intended to limit the obligation of any person to pay amounts owed under any franchise or license.  Provided that, for franchises or licenses issued after the effective date of this chapter, payments required under such franchise or license for the provision of telecommunications services shall comply with the provisions of A.R.S. § 9-581.

(Ord. No. 97.69, 12-11-97; Ord. No. 99.14, 6-10-99; Ord. No. 2001.17, 7-26-01)

 

Secs. 31A-22—31A-29.  Reserved.

 


ARTICLE IV.  LOCATION AND RELOCATION

OF FACILITIES IN RIGHTS-OF-WAY.

 

Sec. 31A-30.  Registration.

 

         (a)     Providers using or planning to use the city's rights-of-way must register with the city on a form prescribed by the city and must include the following information:

 

                  (1)     The provider's name, address and telephone number;

 

                  (2)     A description of the services provided and to be provided;

 

                  (3)     A description of the facilities used or to be provided by provider; and

 

                  (4)     A description of the location of the facilities. 

 

         (b)     A provider shall file a proposed amendment to the registration before it makes any change that would render the registration information incomplete or inaccurate.  A change of the provider's name or address must be filed at least sixty (60) days prior to the date the change becomes effective; a change in the telephone number must be filed ten (10) days before the change becomes effective; in the case of change in facilities (by addition, subtraction or modification or movement) the change in facilities must be filed at least sixty (60) days before work commences on the facilities unless the relocation was ordered by the city.  In the case of a change in services, the change must be noticed thirty (30) days before the earlier of the date the service commences, or provider begins marketing the service.

(Ord. No. 97.69, 12-11-97)

 

Sec. 31A-31.  Location and relocation of facilities in rights-of-way.

 

         (a)     Each provider is responsible for ensuring that its facilities are installed, constructed and maintained in strict accordance with the city code; that all required licenses, franchises and permits are applied for and obtained before any work commences; and that the terms and conditions thereof are strictly followed.  Where a facility has more than one provider, each provider is fully responsible for ensuring that all requirements are satisfied.  Facilities shall be installed, constructed and maintained so that no additional costs are imposed upon the city, and so that the facility does not interfere with other uses or users of the public rights-of-way.  Without limiting the requirement of any other provision of the city code, or the provisions of any license, permit or franchise issued by the city, this shall require, at a minimum, compliance with the provisions of this chapter.

 

         (b)     The facilities to be constructed, installed, operated and maintained by the provider shall be so located or relocated as to interfere as little as possible with traffic or other authorized uses over, under or through the rights-of-way.  Those phases of construction relating to traffic control, backfilling, compaction and paving, as well as the location or relocation of said facilities shall be subject to regulation by the city council.

 


         (c)     The provider shall keep accurate installation records of the location of all facilities in the rights-of-way and furnish them to the city upon request or at such periodic intervals as the city may require.  Upon completion of new or relocation construction of underground facilities in the rights-of-way, the provider shall provide the city, if requested or as required, with installation records in a format compatible with the then-current city mapping format showing the location of the underground and above ground facilities.

 

         (d)     Whenever the provider shall cause any opening or alteration whatever to be made for any purpose in any rights-of-way, the work shall be completed within the time specified in the license, permit or franchise, or if no time is specified then within a reasonable time. In addition, the provider shall, without expense to the city and upon the completion of such work, restore the property disturbed in a manner consistent with the city's duly adopted standards, or as required by its permits, licenses or franchises.

 

         (e)     The installation, use and maintenance of the provider's facilities within the rights-of-way authorized herein shall be in such a manner as not to interfere with the city's placement, construction, use and maintenance of its rights-of-way, street lighting, water pipes, drains, sewers, traffic signal systems or other city systems that have been, or may be, installed, maintained, used or authorized by the city.  Upon the city's request, provider's facilities will be relocated at provider's expense, unless state law expressly requires otherwise.  Upon the city's request, by a time specified by the city, if the provider fails to move its facilities, the city may do so and will bill the provider the costs therefor and the provider shall pay those costs within thirty (30) days after its receipt of the invoice therefor.  Further, the provider shall reimburse the city any additional cost the city incurs due to the location or relocation of the provider's facilities, including all design and construction costs.

 

         (f)      The provider shall not install, maintain or use any of its facilities in such a manner as to damage or interfere with facilities of another located within the rights-of-way of the city.

 

         (g)     All facilities shall be installed per plans approved by the city.  If the provider makes use of existing conduit of another provider, the provider shall be subject to the provisions of this chapter in the use of such conduit in the rights-of-way.

 

         (h)     Each provider must obtain and maintain such insurance, bonding and security fund requirements as specified by the city, or if no specific requirements are designated, as are required by the city for similar facilities.  No work shall commence unless these requirements have been satisfied, and the city may require the provider to remove or stop work on facilities, or require a provider to cease using the facility, when any insurance, bonding or security fund requirements are not satisfied.

 

         (i)      A permit shall be obtained from the public works department prior to a provider removing, abandoning, relocating or reconstructing, if necessary, any portion of a provider's facilities.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the city understands and acknowledges there may be instances when a provider is required to make repairs, in compliance with federal or state laws, that are of an emergency nature.  The provider will notify the city prior to such repairs, if practicable, and will obtain the necessary permits in a reasonable time after notification.

(Ord. No. 97.69, 12-11-97)

 


Sec. 31A-32.  Conflict with city projects.

 

         (a)     If, during the design process for public improvements, the city discovers a potential conflict with proposed construction, the provider shall either:

 

                  (1)     Locate and, if necessary, expose its facilities in conflict; or

 

                  (2)     Use a location service under contract with the city to locate or expose its facilities.  The provider shall reimburse the city for the cost resulting from the use of such location service. 

 

         (b)     The city shall make reasonable efforts to design and construct projects pursuant to this section so as to avoid relocation expense to the provider.  Provider shall furnish location information to the city in a timely manner, but in no case longer than fifteen (15) calendar days from the date of the city's request.

 

         (c)     The city reserves the prior and superior right to lay, construct, erect, install, use, operate, repair, replace, remove, relocate, regrade, widen, realign or maintain any rights-of-way, aerial, surface or subsurface improvements, including, but not limited to, water mains, traffic control conduits, cable and devices, sanitary or storm sewers, subways, tunnels, bridges, viaducts or any other public construction within the rights-of-way of the city.

 

         (d)     When the city invokes its prior superior right to the rights-of-way, the provider shall move its facilities located in the rights-of-way, at its own cost, to such a location as the city directs.

 

         (e)     If, during the course of a project, the city determines provider's facilities are in conflict, the following shall apply:

 

                  (1)     Prior to city notice to proceed to contractor, the provider shall, within a reasonable time, but in no event exceeding one month, remove or relocate the conflicting facility.  This time period shall begin running upon receipt by the provider of written notice from the city.  However, if both the city and the provider agree, the time frame may be extended based on the requirements of the project; or

 

                  (2)     Subsequent to city notice to proceed to contractor, the city and the provider will immediately begin the coordination necessary to remove or relocate the facility.  Actual construction of such removal or relocation is to begin no later than seventy-two (72) hours, if practicable, after written notification from the city of the conflict.

(Ord. No. 97.69, 12-11-97)         

Sec. 31A-33.  Damage to city rights-of-way and facilities.

 

         (a)     If, in the installation, use, or maintenance of its facilities, the provider damages or disturbs the surface or subsurface of any rights-of-way or adjoining public property, or the public improvement located thereon, therein or thereunder, the provider shall promptly, at its own expense, and in a manner acceptable to the city, restore the surface or subsurface of the rights-of-way or public property, or repair or replace the public improvement thereon, therein or thereunder, in as good a condition as before such damage or disturbance.  If such restoration, repair or replacement of the surface, subsurface or any structure located thereon, therein or thereunder is not completed within a reasonable time, or such repair or replacement does not meet duly adopted standards, the city shall have the right to perform the necessary restoration, repair or replacement, either through its own forces, or through a hired contractor, and the provider shall pay the city for its expenses in so doing within thirty (30) days after its receipt of the invoice therefor.

 

         (b)     The provider shall reimburse the city for all costs arising from the reduction in the service life of any public road or pavement damage, to the extent required by any other city chapters, resulting from pavement cuts of the provider.  The provider shall pay such costs within thirty (30) days from the date of issuance of an invoice from the city.

(Ord. No. 97.69, 12-11-97)

 

Sec. 31A-34.  Relocation of facilities.

 

         (a)     The city shall not bear any cost of relocating existing facilities, irrespective of the function served, where city facilities or other facilities occupying the rights-of-way under authority of a city permit, license or franchise which must be relocated, are already located in the rights-of-way and the conflict between the provider's potential facilities and the existing facilities can only be resolved expeditiously as determined by the city by the movement of the existing city or other approved facilities.

 

         (b)     If provider's relocation effort so delays construction of a public project causing the city to be liable for delay damages, the provider shall reimburse the city for those damages attributable to the delay created by the provider.  If the provider should dispute the amount of damages attributable to the provider, the matter shall be referred to the dispute resolution board.  The dispute resolution board shall consist of one member selected by the city, one member selected by the provider, and a third person agreed upon by both parties.  The person agreed upon by both parties shall be chairperson of the dispute resolution board.  Expenses for the dispute resolution board shall be shared equally by the city and the provider.  The board will hear the dispute promptly, and render an opinion as soon as possible, but in no case later than sixty (60) days after notification by the city of provider's allocated share of damages suffered by the city.  All decisions of the dispute resolution board are non-binding on either the city or the provider, however, the findings of the dispute resolution board shall be admissible in any legal action.  The city and the provider shall accept or reject findings of the dispute resolution board within thirty (30) days after receipt of the findings.  If damages are assessed by the dispute resolution board, the provider shall pay the city within thirty (30) days of receipt of an invoice.  Late charges of five percent (5%) and interest charges of one and one-half percent (1-1/2%) per month shall be added for late payment.

 


         (c)     Except as otherwise provided in a license, franchise, or permit, or by other provision of law, the entire cost of relocation shall be borne by the city if the provider is required by the city to relocate facilities which are located in private easements obtained by the provider prior to the dedication of the public street or easement from which the facilities must be relocated.  These prior rights of the provider would also be unaffected by any subsequent relocation.  A prior rights as used in this subsection, means private easement rights obtained by the provider prior to the dedication of the streets or public ways from which the facilities are requested by the city to be relocated.  In the case of a facility that serves multiple purposes, the prior rights must extend to all uses for this exception to apply.

(Ord. No. 97.69, 12-11-97)

 

Secs. 31A-35—31A-39.  Reserved.


ARTICLE V. GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

Sec. 31A-40.  Rights reserved to city.

 

         Without limiting the rights that the city might otherwise have, the city does hereby expressly reserve the following rights, powers and authorities:

 

         (1)     To exercise its governmental powers now or hereafter to the full extent that such powers may be vested in or granted to the city;

        

         (2)     To determine any question of fact relating to the meaning, terms, obligations or other aspects of this chapter and the instruments issued under this chapter; and

 

         (3)     To grant multiple, nonexclusive licenses, franchises, licenses or permits within the city to other persons.

(Ord. No. 97.69, 12-11-97)

 

Sec. 31A-41.  City police power; continuing jurisdiction.

 

         (a)     Every provider shall be subject to the city’s exercise of such police, regulatory and other powers as the city now has or may later obtain, and a provider may not waive the application of the same, and must be exercised in strict conformity therewith.  Every license shall be subject to revocation if the provider fails to comply with the terms and conditions of the license or applicable law.  A license shall not be revoked unless the provider is given written notice of the defect in performance and fails to cure the defect within sixty (60) days of the notice, except where the city finds that the defect in performance is due to intentional misconduct, is a violation of criminal law, or is part of a pattern of violations where the provider has already had notice and opportunity to cure.  A hearing shall be held before a license is revoked or not renewed if the provider requests a hearing.  In the event of a conflict between this chapter and other provisions of the city code, the stricter requirement shall apply.

 

         (b)     The city shall have continuing jurisdiction and supervision over any facilities located within or on city rights-of-way. However, it is recognized that the daily administrative, supervisory and enforcement responsibilities of the provisions of this chapter shall be delegated and entrusted to the city manager or designee to interpret, administer and enforce the provisions of this chapter, and to promulgate standards regarding the construction, reconstruction, relocation, maintenance, dismantling, abandonment or use of the facilities within the city rights-of-way.

(Ord. No. 97.69, 12-11-97; Ord. No. 99.14, 6-10-99)

 

Sec. 31A-42.  Violation.

 

         From and after the effective date of this chapter, it shall be unlawful for any provider to occupy the streets and public rights-of-way unless the provider is in compliance with the provisions of this chapter. The city may pursue any remedy at law, including but not limited to, injunctive relief, civil or criminal trespass, and withholding other city permits and authorizations until the provider complies with this chapter.  These remedies are cumulative and may be pursued in the alternative.

(Ord. No. 97.69, 12-11-97)