AN ORDINANCE, granting to Kansas Gas and Electric
Company, a Kansas Corporation, doing business as Westar Energy, its successors
and assigns, an electric franchise, prescribing the terms thereof and relating
thereto, and repealing all ordinances or parts of ordinances inconsistent with
or in conflict with the terms hereof.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE GOVERNING BODY OF: Whitewater,
Kansas
SECTION 1. That in consideration of the benefits to be
derived by the City of Whitewater, Kansas (the “City”), and its inhabitants,
there is hereby granted to Kansas Gas and Electric Company, a Kansas
Corporation, doing business as Westar Energy, hereinafter sometimes designated
as “Company,” said Company being a corporation engaged in the business of
selling and furnishing electric power throughout the state of Kansas and to the
inhabitants of the City, the right, privilege, and authority for a period of twenty
(20) years from the effective date of this ordinance, to occupy and use the
several streets, avenues, alleys, bridges, parks, parkings, and public places
of said City, for the placing and maintaining of equipment and property
necessary to carry on the business of selling and distributing electricity for
all purposes to the City, and its inhabitants, and through said City and beyond
the limits thereof; to obtain said electricity from any source available; and
to do all things necessary or proper to carry on said business in the City.
SECTION 2. As further consideration for the granting of
this franchise and in lieu of any city occupation, license, or revenue taxes,
the Company shall pay to the City during the term of this franchise five percent
(5%) of its gross cash receipts from the sale of electric energy for use within
the corporate limits of said City, such payment to be made monthly for the
preceding monthly period. Gross cash receipts shall not include other operating
revenues received by the Company, which are not related to the “sale of
electric energy.” Other operating revenues include, but are not limited to,
delayed payment charges, connection fees, disconnection and reconnection fees,
collection fees and return check charges. Company will use commercially
reasonable efforts to ensure the accuracy of its records and of the
determination of the amount of gross cash receipts subject to the fee provided
for in this Section 2. At the option of either the City or the Company and upon
written notice given by one to the other sent at least (90) days before the
fifth, tenth, or fifteenth anniversary of this franchise, the rate of
compensation hereunder may be renegotiated. Any new rate of compensation that
results from such renegotiation shall be effective on and after the fifth, tenth,
or fifteenth anniversary of this franchise. Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary in this Franchise, the fee provided for in this Section 2 shall not
become effective within any area annexed by the City until 30 days after the
City provides the Company with a certified copy of the annexation ordinance,
proof of publication as required by law and a map of the city detailing the
annexed area.
SECTION 3. That Company, its successors and assigns, in
the construction, maintenance, and operation of its electric transmission,
distribution and street lighting system, shall use all reasonable and proper
precaution to avoid damage or injury to persons and property, and shall hold
and save harmless the City, from any and all damage, injury and expense caused
by the negligence of said Company, its successors and assigns, or its or their
agents or servants.
SECTION 4. After the approval of this ordinance by the
City, Company shall file with the City Clerk, the Company’s unconditional
written acceptance of this ordinance. Said ordinance shall become effective and
be in force and shall be and become a binding contract between the parties
hereto, their successors and assigns, from and after the first day of the first
month after such acceptance is provided by said Company to the City after its
final passage, approval and publication as required by law, and acceptance by
said Company.
SECTION 5. That this ordinance, when accepted as above
provided, shall constitute the entire agreement between the City and Company
relating to this franchise and the same shall supersede and cancel any prior
understandings, agreements, or representations regarding the subject matter
hereof, or involved in negotiations pertaining thereto, whether oral or
written.
SECTION 6. This franchise is granted pursuant to the
provisions of K.S.A. 12-2001.
SECTION 7. That any and all ordinances or parts of
ordinances in conflict with the terms hereof are hereby repealed.
SECTION 8. The Company will file this ordinance with the
State Corporation Commission of Kansas. Should the State Corporation Commission
take any action with respect to this franchise ordinance, which would or may
preclude Kansas Gas and Electric Company, a Kansas Corporation, doing business
as Westar Energy, from recovering from its customers any cost provided for
hereunder, the parties hereto shall renegotiate this ordinance in accordance
with the State Corporation Commission’s ruling.
SECTION 9. A franchise shall be assignable only in
accordance with the laws of the State of Kansas, as the same may exist at the
time when any assignment is made. In the event of any assignment of this
franchise, Company shall be released from all obligations which are assumed in
writing by its assignee upon the signing by such assignee of an assumption of
the franchise being assigned.
(12-27-2010)