Ord. #79, Second Series - Gas Franchise Ord. - CenterPoint Energy

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is not required to collect a franchise fee if the terms of the fee agreement are inconsistent with this franchise or state law, provided. the Company notifies the City Council of the same within the ninety (90) day period. 8.3. Condition of Fee. The separate ordinance imposing the fee shall not be effective against the Company unless it lawfully imposes a fee of the same or substantially similar amount on the sale of energy within the City by any other energy supplier, provided that, as to such supplier, the City has the authority or contractual right to require a franchise fee or similar fee through an agreed-upon franchise. 8.4. Collection of Fee. The franchise fee shall be payable not less than quarterly during complete billing months of the period for which payment is to be made. The franchise fee formula may be changed from time to time, however, the change shall meet the same Notice and acceptance requirements and the fee may not be changed more often than annually. Such fee shall not exceed any amount that the Company may legally charge to its customers prior to payment to the City and be consistent with Minnesota Public Utility Commission's March 23, 2011 Order establishing franchise fee filing requirements in Docket No. E,G999/CI-09-970. Such fee is subject to subsequent reductions to account for uncollectibles and customer refunds incurred by the Company. The Company shall not be responsible to pay City fees that Company is unable to collect under Commission rules or order. The Company agrees to make available for inspection by the City at reasonable times all records necessary to audit the Company's determination of the franchise fee payments. 8.5. Continuation of Franchise Fee. If this franchise expires and the City and the Company are unable to agree upon terms of a new franchise, the franchise fee, if any being imposed by the City at the time this franchise expires, will remain in effect until a new franchise is agreed upon. However, the franchise fee will not remain in effect for more than one year after the franchise expires as stated in Section 2.6 of this Franchise. If for any reason the franchise terminates, the franchise fee will terminate at the same time. SECTION 9. ABANDONED FACILITIES. The Company shall comply with Minnesota Statutes, Section 216D.01 et Seq. as it may be amended from time to time with respect to abandoned facilities located in Public Ways and Public Grounds and with Minnesota Rules, Part 7819.3300 as it may be amended from time to time with respect to abandoned facilities in Public Ways. The Company shall maintain records describing the exact location of all abandoned and retired Gas Facilities within the Public Ways and Public Grounds, produce such records at the City's request and comply with the location requirements of Minnesota Statutes, Section 216D.04 with respect to all Gas Facilities located in Public Ways and Public Grounds. SECTION 14. PROVISIONS OF ORDINANCE. 10.1. Severability. Every section, provision,, or part of this Ordinance is declared separate from every other section, provision, or part; and if any section, provision, or part shall be held invalid, it shall not affect any other section, provision, or part. Where a provision of any 6 1 P a