The City Council is empowered to grant by ordinance a franchise to any person, firm or corporation, whether operating under an existing franchise or not, to furnish the city and its inhabitants with transportation, communication, Cable Antenna Television Service, terminal facilities, light, heat, gas, water, storage of any other public utility or service, or to use the public streets, ways, alleys or places for the operation of plants, works or equipment for the furnishing thereof or traversing any portion of the city, for the transmittal or conveyance of any such service elsewhere. The City Council may provide, by ordinance, additional terms and conditions of such franchise not inconsistent with this Charter.

Nothing in this Charter shall apply to the city or any department thereof, when furnishing any such utility or service. (Amended November 3, 1964)