2.020 Permits and Franchises to Furnish Gas, Natural Gas or Mixed Gas.

(1) Application. Any person, co-partnership or association, including public utility corporations, whether presently operating under a franchise privilege or permit, either from the City of Manitowoc or the State of Wisconsin, or not, desiring to manufacture, supply or furnish by means of pipes or mains, directly or indirectly, natural gas or a mixed gas containing natural gas to consumers within the City of Manitowoc, or to change over from one type of gas to another, shall first make an application in writing to the Common Council of the City of Manitowoc for a permit to occupy streets, highways or other public places within the City, setting forth the standards, quality and character of such service, the approximate cost to gas users within the City of Manitowoc, the heating value of the gas to be furnished, the cost to all classes of users of any parts or equipment or the cost of any changeover that will be required within the City of Manitowoc in detail, and such other information in the premises which the said Common Council or a committee thereof may require.

(2) Public Hearing. Upon receiving any such application the Common Council shall order a public hearing either before it or a committee thereof.

(3) Information and Data. The applicant shall furnish any additional information or data that the Common Council or such committee may require in the premises.

(4) Council Action. The Common Council may grant or refuse such permit or franchise or may, in its discretion, refer the same to an advisory referendum vote for approval or disapproval by the voters of the City of Manitowoc on a special ballot to be approved therefor by the Common Council at the next school or judicial election. The Council shall not grant a permit if it finds the granting of a permit is not in the best interest of the public health, safety and welfare.

(5) Statutes Applicable. Nothing herein contained shall be interpreted as relieving the applicant from complying with any provision of the Statutes of Wisconsin relating to public utilities.

(6) Penalty. Any person, firm or corporation violating any of the provisions of subsections (1) and (3) of this section shall, upon a conviction thereof, be punished by a fine not to exceed $500.00 for each offense, and each day of any violation shall be deemed to constitute a separate offense.

[Prior code § 2.02]