Ridgecrest Municipal Code Art. III Utilities

Footnotes:

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State Law reference— Public utility franchises by local governments, Public Utilities Code § 6001 et seq.

No utility shall operate within a public street of the city without first securing a franchise as required by this article.

(Code 1980, § 3-5.501)

The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

Franchise Act means the Franchise Act of 1937 as set forth in division 3, chapter 2, article 1 (commencing with section 6201) of the Public Utilities Code.

Utility means a person, firm or corporation authorized to engage in the transmission and distribution of oil, electricity, gas or water, other than a public agency.

Utility franchise means the authorization granted under this article:

(1) To construct and use poles, wires, conduits and appurtenances transmitting and distributing electricity;

(2) To use or to lay and use pipes and appurtenances for transmitting and distributing gas; or

(3) To use or to lay and use pipes and appurtenances for transmitting and distributing oil and to lay and use pipes.

(Code 1980, § 3-5.502)

(a) A non-exclusive utility franchise to serve customers within all or any portion of the city may be granted by the city council by ordinance pursuant to the provisions of this article.

(b) Any franchise granted pursuant to this article shall be granted in accordance with the procedures of the Franchise Act. The terms and conditions of any franchise granted under this article shall also be consistent with the terms and conditions of the Franchise Act.

(Code 1980, § 3-5.501)

Any grantee of a utility franchise shall pay to the city a franchise fee based on the gross annual receipts of the grant in the maximum amount permitted under the Franchise Act. Such payment shall be made by the grantee at such times and in such manner as is set forth in the franchise ordinance.

(Code 1980, § 3-5.504)