ARTICLE 5. UTILITY COMPANIES

13-501. UTILITY COMPANIES -DEFINED.

For the purpose of this article, the term utility companies shall include electric power generating and distributing companies, telephone companies, companies that supply natural gas, and pipeline companies. (Code 1987, 18-301)

13-502. REGULATED ACTIVITIES; DEFINED.

The activities regulated by this article are those actions involving the opening, cutting, or trenching of streets, alleys, or sidewalks on public property or utility easements, and the trimming of trees, bushes, and shrubs on public or private property in the city. (Code 1987, 18-302)

13-503. NOTICE REQUIRED.

Before commencing any regulated activities within the city, utility companies shall give 24 hours prior notice, written or verbal, to the city clerk, unless the city clerk or the city superintendent agrees to lesser notice, or to no notice. Such notice shall state the actions the utility company proposes to undertake within the city, and shall indicate the approximate area of the city where the actions will take place. (Code 1987, 18-303)

13-504. EXEMPTIONS; EMERGENCIES.

Utility companies need not give 24 hours prior notice of actions of an emergency nature, but shall notify the city clerk of actions taken as soon as circumstances permit. (Code 1987, 18-304)

13-505. EXEMPTIONS; REQUESTS BY CUSTOMERS.

When a resident of the city requests service by a utility company, and the requested service shall not be undertaken on the property of anyone other than the resident initiating the request for service, no notice at all needs to be given to the city clerk. (Code 1987, 18-305)

13-506. UNLAWFUL ACTS; PENALTIES.

It shall be unlawful for any utility company to violate the provisions of this article. Each day this article is violated shall count as a separate violation. (Code 1987, 18-306)