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Ord. 0014 1960-03-10JH:eh - 3- 6- 60 ORDINANCE NO. 14 AN ORDINANCE FIXING RENTALS TO BE PAID BY GAS COMPANIES FOR THE PRIVILEGE OF USING WITH THEIR PIPES, GAS PIPE LINES, AND FIXTURES THE STREETS, EASEMENTS, AND ALLEYS AND OTHER PUBLIC WAYS WITHIN THE CITY OF PEARLAND, TEXAS, PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS, AND PROVIDING AN EMERGENCY. BE IT ORDAINED BY THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN OF THE CITY OF PEARLAED, TEXAS: Section 1. That all persons, associations, organi- zations, and corporations using or maintaining any gas pipe lines, pipes and other fixtures in any of the streets, high- ways, easements, alleys, parks or other places within the corporate limits of the City of Pearland, Texas, shall on the 1st day of August of each and every year file with the City Secretary a sworn report showing the gross receipts from the business conducted by such persons, associations, organizations and corporations within the corporate limits of the said City for the preceding year ending June 30th. Section 2. The Board of Aldermen may when it may see fit have the books and records of the person, association, organization, or corporation rendering the statement required in Section 1 of this Ordinance examined by a representative of the City to ascertain whether such statement is accurate, but nothing in this Ordinance shall be construed to prevent the City from ascertaining the facts by any other method. Section 3. That upon the 1st day of August of each and every year every person, association, organization, or corporation occupying or using the streets, highways, easements, alleys, parks, or other public places in the City of Pearland, Texas, with pipes, pipelines, and for other fixtures shall as a condition to such further occupancy pay to the City annually for such privileges a rental equal to two (2%) per cent of the -1- gross receipts received by such person, association, organiza- tion, or corporation from its business conducted in the corporate limits of the City of Pearland, Texas, for the preceding year which sums shall be paid to the City of Pearland, Texas. Section 4. That upon receipt of the above rental by the City, the.City Secretary shall deliver to the person, association, organization, or corporation paying the same a receipt for such rental, which said receipt shall authorize such person, association, organization, or corporation to use and occupy the -streets, highways, easements, alleys, parks and other public ways of the City in carrying on its business for twelve (12) months from August 1st of such year. Section 5. That .the rental for the privilege of using the streets, alleys, highways, easements, and public places of the City of Pearland provided for in this Ordinance is not charged as a tax but is made for the privilege now en- joyed and to be enjoyed by such persons, associations, organi- zations, and corporations of using the streets, easements, alleys, and other public ways of the City in the conduct of their respective businesses; and such charges are additional to all ad valorem and franchise taxes. and to all taxes of every nature whatsoever against the persons, associations, organi- zations, or corporations mentioned herein. Section 6. That nothing herein is intended to re- •corporation to use the streets, easements, alley and other public ways and shall never be so construed by the courts or otherwise, and the City reserves the right to cancel the privileges granted hereunder and refund the unearned rentals paid, to the City. Section 8. That the City of Pearland hereby reserves the right to put into effect at any time other restrictions .and regulations as to the erection and maintenance of pipes, gas pipelines, and other appurtenances in the streets, easements: alleys and other public -ways of the said City and from time to time to require such pipes, gas pipelines and other property equipment.and fixtures as it may deem proper to be removed and on such terms as the City may deem proper. Section 9. That every person, association, organi- zation, and corporation. who shall operate any business without the.payment of the rentals provided for herein shall be subject to a penalty of One Hundred ($100.00) Dollars for each and every day that such person, association, organization, or corporation shall conduct such business using and occupying the streets, easements, alleys, or other public ways of the City of Pearland, without the payment of the said rentals which said sum may be recovered by the City of Pearland in a court of competent juris- diction by a suit filed therein. Section 10. That every person, association, organi- zation or corporation and the local manager or agent of every refusal, as mentioned in this Section, shall be deemed a separate offense. Section 11. The City Fire Marshal, building in- spector, or other city inspector, City's Police Officers, and such other persons designated by the City, shall have the power and it shall be their duty to examine and inspect from time to time all gas pipe lines, pipes and other fixtures in the public places within the City for the purpose of seeing that all of same are in a safe and suitable condition, and whenever any such item is found to be unsafe or unsuitable for the purpose for which it is used, the person using, possessing or maintaining same shall be notified and required to place same in a safe and suitable condition. Section 12. If any section, paragraph, subdivision, clause, phrase or provisions of this Ordinance shall be adjudged invalid or held unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity of this Ordinance as a whole or any part or provisions thereof other than the part so decided to be invalid or uncon- stitutional. Section 13. That the fact that the gas companies have been occupying and using the streets, easements, alleys, and other public ways of the City of Pearland, Texas, for many years without the payment of rent for such use creates an emergency, and this Ordinance shall take effect immediately upon its passage, approval and publication as required by law. PASSED AND APPROVED this /0- day of March, A. D. 1960. %)C`ZCzccz Mayor, City of Pearland, Texas i' City Secretaty] City of Pear - land, Texas-. -4-