Public Utility Franchises.

Milwaukee City Charter § 4-24

in effect

4-24. Public Utility Franchises. 1. Any person, copartnership or association, including public utility corporations, whether presently operating under a franchise, privilege or permit either from the city of Milwaukee 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, or to change over from one type of gas to another, shall first make an application in writing to the common council 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 the gas users within the city, 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 in detail, and such other information in the premises which the said common council or a committee thereof may require. 2. Upon receiving any such application the common council shall order a public hearing either before it or a committee thereof. 3. The applicant shall furnish any additional information or data that the common council or such committee may require in the premises. 4. 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 on a special ballot to be approved therefor by the common council at such time as the common council may direct. The common 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. Nothing herein contained shall be interpreted as relieving the applicant from complying with any provision of the Wisconsin statutes relating to public utilities. 6. Any person, firm or corporation violating any of the provisions of this section shall, upon a conviction thereof, be punished by a fine not to exceed $500 for each offense, and each day of any violation shall be deemed to constitute a separate offense. 7. Should any section, or any provision of any section of the foregoing 6 sections be found or held invalid, the remaining sections and the remaining provisions of each of said sections shall be deemed valid and of full force and effect. (Section 4-24 cr., Ch. Ord. 113, File #70494, Feb. 10, 1941.)

Source: City of Milwaukee Legislative Reference Bureau, Milwaukee City Charter and Code of Ordinances (city.milwaukee.gov master PDFs)URL: https://city.milwaukee.gov/ImageLibrary/Groups/ccClerk/Ordinances/CH4.pdf#page=6Fetched: 10/26/2026