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)