20-26RESOLUTION NO. 20-26
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF CLEARWATER,
FLORIDA, ACCEPTING THE FRANCHISE, PRIVILEGE AND
CONCESSION OF THE CITY OF DUNEDIN, FLORIDA, FOR
THE PURPOSE OF FURNISHING NATURAL GAS WITHIN
THE CITY OF DUNEDIN AND TO ITS INHABITANTS;
PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, renewal of a gas system franchise has been approved by the adopting
of Ordinance No. 20-03 of the City of Dunedin on May 19, 2020, a copy of which is
attached to this resolution and incorporated herein by reference; and
WHEREAS, the terms and conditions of the gas system franchise are acceptable;
now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF CLEARWATER, FLORIDA:
Section 1. The terms and conditions of the gas system franchise, privilege and
concession granted by the City of Dunedin, Florida, by the adoption of Ordinance No. 20-
03 of the City of Dunedin, are hereby accepted, and the City Council of the City of
Clearwater does hereby agree to comply with the terms and conditions of the franchise
and with all reasonable ordinances adopted by the City Council of the City of Dunedin not
inconsistent with the franchise.
Section 2. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption. Upon
adoption of this resolution, the City Clerk shall deliver a certified copy to the City Clerk of
the City of Dunedin.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 4th day of June, 2020.
Approved as to form:
Laura Mahony
Senior Assistant City Attorney City Clerk
r,I=WAs
Frank V. Hibbard
Mayor
Attest:
Rosemarie Call
Resolution No. 20-26
ORDINANCE 20-03
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF DUNEDIN, FLORIDA GRANTING
TO THE CITY OF CLEARWATER, FLORIDA A GAS FRANCHISE AND
IMPOSING CERTAIN CONDITIONS RELATING THERETO:
PROVIDING FOR REPEAL OF ALL ORDINANCES OR PARTS OF
ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH; AND PROVIDING FOR AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, in addition and supplemental to their other powers, the City of Dunedin, a
Florida municipal corporation (hereinafter " DUNEDIN") and the City of Clearwater, a Florida
municipal corporation (hereinafter "CLEARWATER"), pursuant to Chapter 163, Part I, Florida
Statutes, as amended, commonly known as the "Florida Interlocal Cooperation Act of 1969", are
authorized and empowered to cooperate with each other on a basis of mutual advantage and
thereby to provide services and facilities in a manner and pursuant to forms of government
organization that will best accord with geographic, economic, population, and other factors
influencing the needs and development of local communities; and
WHEREAS, it is in the best interests of the citizens of DUNEDIN to be provided gas
service whenever and wherever feasible; and,
WHEREAS, pursuant to Chapters 166 and 180, Florida Statutes, CLEARWATER, d/b/a
CLEARWATER GAS SYSTEM, has the power and the present capability to provide such gas
services in DUNEDIN; and
WHEREAS, DUNEDIN and CLEARWATER wish to set forth their grants and
conditions with respect to the provisions of such gas service to those areas within the corporate
limits of DUNEDIN and DUNEDIN desires by virtue hereof to grant a FRANCHISE to
CLEARWATER pursuant to the provisions of the Florida Interlocal Cooperation Act of 1969, as
amended.
Page 1 of 19
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF
DUNEDIN, FLORIDA:
SECTION 1. INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT; PURPOSE.
The parties acknowledge that CLEARWATER has the legal authority pursuant to Florida
Statutes to provide gas service and, further, that DUNEDIN, upon appropriate exercise of its
powers could also provide such service. DUNEDIN and CLEARWATER have determined it is
in the best interests of both parties and their citizens for CLEARWATER to provide gas service
within the corporate limits of DUNEDIN as defined herein.
SECTION 2. RECITALS.
The recitals and findings contained above are hereby incorporated within this agreement
in full.
SECTION 3. DEFINITIONS.
Whenever in this ordinance the words or phrases hereafter in this section defined are
used, they shall have the respective meanings assigned to them in the following definitions,
unless in the given instance, the context wherein they are used shall clearly import a different
meaning:
(a) CUSTOMER shall mean any person, firm, public or private corporation or
governmental agency served by the Grantee within the corporate limits of
DUNEDIN.
(b) GRANTEE or CLEARWATER shall mean the City of Clearwater, a Florida
municipal corporation, in its present incorporated form, or as may subsequently be
reorganized, consolidated, or reincorporated.
(c) GRANTOR or DUNEDIN shall mean the City of DUNEDIN, a Florida municipal
corporation, in its present incorporated form, or as may subsequently be reorganized,
Page 2 of 19
consolidated, or reincorporated.
(d) GAS or NATURAL GAS shall mean natural gas and/or manufactured gas and/or a
mixture of gases which is distributed in pipes and measured by meter on the
CUSTOMER'S premise. It shall not mean propane gas or liquefied petroleum gas
(commonly referred to as "bottled gas") or any other fuel that is typically delivered by
truck or stored in tanks.
(e) GROSS REVENUES shall mean revenues received by CLEARWATER from any
CUSTOMER from the sale, transportation, distribution or delivery of GAS.
(f) FACILITIES or EQUIPMENT shall mean pipe, pipe line, tube, main, service, trap,
vent, vault, manhole, meter, gauge, regulator, valve, conduit, appliance, attachment,
structure or structures, and appurtenances used or useful in the distribution of gas,
located or to be located in, upon, along, across, or under the streets, within the public
rights of way, or on Customer property up to the meter.
(g) FRANCHISE or FRANCHISE AGREEMENT shall mean this agreement, as passed
and adopted by DUNEDIN and accepted by CLEARWATER, as provided in Section
27 below.
(h) DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM shall mean any and all transmission pipe lines, main pipe
lines and CUSTOMER pipe lines, together with all necessary and desirable
appurtenances, that are situated within the corporate limits of DUNEDIN and are
reasonably necessary for the sale, transportation, distribution or delivery of
NATURAL GAS for the public and private use of CUSTOMERS.
SECTION 4. TERM; GRANT; DEFINITION OF GAS.
For a period of fifteen (15) years from the date the FRANCHISE granted herein becomes
effective, DUNEDIN, its successors and assigns, do hereby agree and give and grant to
Page 3 of 19
CLEARWATER, its successors and assigns, a FRANCHISE and any necessary right and
authority to exercise the power to furnish gas and to construct, operate and maintain within the
corporate limits of DUNEDIN, in the rights-of-way, easements, lanes, alleys, or sidewalks, , all
facilities required by CLEARWATER to supply Gas to DUNEDIN, its inhabitants and the places
of business located within DUNEDIN's corporate limits and other customers and areas now or
hereafter supplied, or to be supplied, Gas by CLEARWATER.
If CLEARWATER wishes to renew this FRANCHISE for another fifteen (15) year term, it shall
provide written notice to DUNEDIN at least one hundred-eighty (180) days and no more than
three-hundred sixty five (365) days prior to the termination of the term of this FRANCHISE.
DUNEDIN shall approve or deny CLEARWATER's request to renew this Franchise by
providing written notice of same within ninety (90) days of receipt of CLEARWATER' s notice.
If the parties mutually agree to the renewal of this Franchise, this Franchise shall continue for
another fifteen (15) year term, however, if terminated, this Agreement shall expire at the end of
the initial term. Any rights granted hereunder are non-exclusive.
Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, in the event the Parties have not
memorialized in writing, the renewal or termination of this Franchise by the expiration of the
then-effective term, this Franchise shall continue on a month-to-month basis in accordance with
the existing terms and conditions, until such time as the Franchise is renewed or terminated in
writing as provided for herein.
SECTION 5 RATES.
The rates, charges and fees to be charged by CLEARWATER for Gas service within the
corporate limits of DUNEDIN during the term of this FRANCHISE shall be as provided in
CLEARWATER's standard, system-wide rate schedule now or hereafter approved by
CLEARWATER's City Council, or as modified by the CLEARWATER Manager, or other
Page 4 of 19
designated CLEARWATER official, to the extent CLEARWATER Manager, or other designated
CLEARWATER official is expressly authorized to approve changes to such rates, charges, and
fees, or such other agency of the State of Florida as may have proper jurisdiction over such rates
and charges of CLEARWATER under the general laws of the State of Florida, or
CLEARWATER's charter and ordinances. Such rate schedule shall be no greater than the rate
schedule applied to rate payers within the corporate limits of CLEARWATER and other
customers in cities that have a franchise or agreement with CLEARWATER for gas service.
SECTION 6. ANNEXATION.
In the event of the annexation of any territory to the present corporate limits of
DUNEDIN, such annexed territory and all portions of the Gas system of CLEARWATER
located therein shall become subject to all of the terms and conditions of this FRANCHISE as of
the time such annexation becomes effective. It shall be the responsibility of DUNEDIN to notify
CLEARWATER in writing within thirty (30) days after the effective date of every such
annexation by certified mail, return receipt requested. CLEARWATER shall implement such
annexation within thirty (30) days of the receipt of the notice from DUNEDIN by providing
service in accordance with Section 7 below.
If the FRANCHISE is noticed to be terminated or will expire by its own terms at any
time resulting in the number of years remaining in the FRANCHISE being less than the number
of years required to reach feasibility, CLEARWA l'ER may require a Customer requesting new
service facilities to contribute a payment in the amount necessary to reach a shortened feasibility
formula based on the number of years remaining in the FRANCHISE as opposed to
CLEARWATER's then -effective normal feasibility formula. If the Customer does not agree to
contribute said payment, CLEARWATER retains the right to refuse expansion of facilities.
Page 5 of 19
SECTION 7. EXTENSION OF SERVICE.
In consideration of the rights granted under this FRANCHISE and the duration of this
FRANCHISE, CLEARWATER agrees that its facilities to be installed within the corporate
limits of DUNEDIN will be expanded to provide service to new customers on the terms and
conditions hereinafter set forth. Gas service shall be extended to customers desiring said service
based on a feasibility formula. Such formula shall be the formula currently in effect system-wide
as then administered by CLEARWA lER and as applicable to the citizens of CLEARWATER
and other franchise areas.
SECTION 8. FORCE MAJEURE.
In the event by act of God, strike, riot, public enemy or other calamity, or restriction in
the supply of Gas beyond the control of CLEARWATER or its interstate supplier or by reason of
regulation exerted by the Florida Public Service Commission or the Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission or other regulatory body having jurisdiction in the premises, the supply of the Gas
should be interrupted, CLEARWATER shall, nevertheless, continue to supply the available Gas
to such customers as it is possible, shall employ its full services to remedy such deficiency of
Gas supply, and shall resume complete Gas service when that is possible.
SECTION 9. COMPETITION.
As a further consideration of this interlocal agreement and FRANCHISE granted
hereunder, DUNEDIN agrees not to engage in the business of distributing and selling Gas during
the life of this FRANCHISE or any extension thereof in competition with CLEARWATER, its
successors and assigns, in the service territory within DUNEDIN delineated by the Florida
Public Service Commission as CLEARWATER's service territory by PSC Order #00-0371-
PAA-GU. CLEARWATER's service territory is shown on Exhibit "A" attached hereto and
Page 6 of 19
incorporated herein. Pursuant to Sections 6 and 12 hereof, CLEARWATER and DUNEDIN
have agreed to a certain extension of service policy. In the event DUNEDIN desires to provide
Gas service where CLEARWATER has notified DUNEDIN in writing said areas do not qualify
under the feasibility formula, DUNEDIN may provide CLEARWATER notice of its intent to
provide such Gas service in said areas. CLEARWATER shall have sixty (60) days after receipt
of said notice to review its decision not to provide Gas service to said areas and to further meet
with DUNEDIN regarding said service. In the event CLEARWATER has not delivered written
notice to DUNEDIN within this sixty (60) day period that CLEARWATER shall provide Gas
service to said areas, DUNEDIN may provide Gas service in said defined areas thereafter.
SECTION 10. TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT.
Upon expiration of this agreement, CLEARWATER shall have the right, privilege and
option of removing all piping and equipment installed or maintained by CLEARWATER in
accordance with this FRANCHISE. In the event of the removal of such equipment,
CLEARWATER shall repair all of DUNEDIN's and customers' property to the same condition
as theretofore existed. CLEARWATER shall also have the right to sell any or all of its piping
and equipment to DUNEDIN or a third party at the time of termination or subsequent thereto. In
the event of acquisition by DUNEDIN of such piping and equipment by purchase,
condemnation, or otherwise, this Franchise shall at once terminate; provided however, excepted
from any right to acquire such piping and equipment are piping and equipment owned by
CLEARWA IER and connected with its general system of distribution used for the purpose of
serving customers other than customers located in DUNEDIN municipal boundaries.
Further, violation by either Party of any of the covenants, terms, and conditions hereof, or
default by either Party in observing or carrying into effect any of said covenants, terms and
conditions, shall authorize and empower the non -defaulting party to declare a termination of this
Page 7 of 19
Franchise Agreement; provided, however, that before such action by the non-defaulting Party
shall become operative and effective, the defaulting party shall have been served by the non-
defaulting Party with a written notice setting forth all matters pertinent to such violation or
default, and the defaulting Party shall have had a period of sixty (60) days after service of such
notice or, in the event such cure reasonably requires a period of more than sixty (60) days, to
present a plan, satisfactory to the non-defaulting Party, acting reasonably, to effect such cure;
and provided further that any violation or default resulting from a strike, lockout, an act of God,
or any other cause beyond the control of the defaulting Party shall not constitute grounds for
termination.
SECTION 11. FRANCHISE FEE.
In consideration for the granting of this FRANCHISE and the use of the rights-of-way,
easements and other public places allowed hereunder, and effective the first day of the month
after the effective date of this FRANCHISE, DUNEDIN shall be entitled to receive from
CLEARWATER a franchise fee which will equal six percent (6%) of the gross receipts from the
sale of Gas within the corporate limits of DUNEDIN for the term of this FRANCHISE. Payment
of the franchise fee by CLEARWATER to DUNEDIN shall be made for each quarter no later
than the forty-fifth (45th) day after the end of each quarter. The franchise fee payment shall be
deemed paid on time if postmarked within forty-five (45) days of the end of the preceding
quarter.
Gross receipts, for purposes of computing such franchise fee, includes all revenues, less
uncollectable accounts, received by CLEARWATER, or any affiliated entity, from or in
connection with the distribution of Gas in the City of DUNEDIN and the transmission of Gas
from and through the City of DUNEDIN by parties other than Clearwater pursuant to the terms
of this FRANCHISE; provided, however, gross receipts shall not include monies for Gas service
Page 8 of 19
or a component thereof paid by customers to a third party, unaffiliated with CLEARWATER and
where CLEARWA 1'bR receives no payment from the third party or the customer.
SECTION 12. FAVORED NATIONS.
In the event CLEARWATER shall hereafter accept a franchise from any other
governmental entity with any provision more favorable to the governmental entity than contained
in this FRANCHISE where all other conditions of the two franchises are substantially similar,
then CLEARWATER shall notify DUNEDIN and CLEARWATER shall be obligated upon
written request of DUNEDIN to present to its City Council, an amendment to this FRANCHISE
to incorporate said provision. To the extent that any federal or state statute, rule, regulation, or
any other law is enacted, adopted, repealed, amended, modified, changed or interpreted in any
way during the term of this FRANCHISE so as to enhance DUNEDIN's ability to regulate
CLEARWATER and the DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM, or allow DUNEDIN to increase the
FRANCHISE FEE, DUNEDIN and CLEARWATER shall negotiate in good faith to amend this
FRANCHISE to reflect such enactment, adoption, repeal, amendment, modification, change or
interpretation.
SECTION 13. SERVICE STANDARDS; EXTENSION POLICY.
Subject to the parameters of feasibility as set forth herein below, CLEARWATER, its
successors and assigns shall furnish twenty four (24) hours of continuous service each and every
day to any customer within DUNEDIN desiring the same and failure upon the part of
CLEARWATER to: furnish Gas as herein provided for any cause within the control of
CLEARWATER for a period of seventy-two (72) hours or more; and/or other breach of term
hereof, either not being corrected within thirty (30) days after written notice by DUNEDIN
thereof may act as a forfeiture of this FRANCHISE in the discretion of DUNEDIN.
Page 9 of.19
CLEARWATER shall have the opportunity to be heard by DUNEDIN's Commission at a duly
convened meeting of the Commission prior to consideration of any such forfeiture.
As provided in Section 6 hereof, CLEARWATER, its successors and assigns, shall not be
required to lay facilities or equipment beyond such point as it determines to be economically
unfeasible, and unless the revenue from such additional facilities or equipment shall warrant such
installation on a basis of reasonable compensation or return on CLEARWATER's investment.
CLEARWATER covenants and agrees that it will not arbitrarily or unreasonably refuse to make
extensions when requested to do so by DUNEDIN.
SECTION 14. COSTS; OWNERSHIP; REPAIRS; RELOCATION.
CLEARWATER shall install the necessary facilities or equipment at its own cost and
expense and same shall be and remain the property of CLEARWATER; and CLEARWATER's
facilities or equipment and other physical properties used in connection with the furnishing of
Gas under this FRANCHISE shall be free from any ad valorem tax of DUNEDIN as long as the
same remains the property of CLEARWATER, except as otherwise provided by applicable
Florida Statute or applicable Court decision adopted after date of execution hereof. The mains
shall be laid underground and CLEARWATER shall re -pave or re-lay, as promptly as possible,
all streets, lanes, alleys, or sidewalks dug or disturbed by it in the installation of said mains or for
any other purpose attending such work, and it shall repair and restore such impacted streets,
lanes, alleys and sidewalks to current standards, which may exceed those of existing conditions
prior to CLEARWATER's installations. CLEARWATER shall be permitted to perform work on
its facilities or extensions of facilities during all daylight hours and perform emergency work
after such hours when necessary to restore service or for safety reasons. In all cases the repair
work shall be made passable to traffic during conduct of such work as soon as physically
possible. Prior to closing of a street, in part or in whole, CLEARWATER shall notify and
Page 10 of 19
consult with DUNEDIN's City Engineer; provided, however, in the case of an emergency,
CLEARWATER shall only be required to notify DUNEDIN's City Engineer. Should
CLEARWATER neglect or refuse to restore or repair without delay after completion of
installation and after ten (10) business days written notice, any streets, alleys, lanes, or sidewalks
which may have been excavated, dug or disturbed by it, its employees or agents, then DUNEDIN
shall have such repairs and restoration done and the expense incident thereto shall be paid by
CLEARWATER.
Should, in connection with the doing of any public improvement or other exercise of the
powers of DUNEDIN, it become necessary or desirable to relocate installed facilities of
CLEARWATER, CLEARWATER covenants and agrees to promptly, at its own expense,
relocate said facilities. Prior to requiring CLEARWATER to relocate, DUNEDIN shall give
CLEARWATER written notice of such requirement and the opportunity to be heard by
DUNEDIN's Commission as to the costs of such relocation to CLEARWATER and possible
alternative locations and routes, for DUNEDIN' s improvements. Ultimately, the decision as to
such need for relocation shall be DUNEDIN's.
If DUNEDIN shall require CLEARWATER to adapt or conform any portion of its
DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM or in any way to alter, relocate or change its property to enable any
other person or third party to use said streets alleys, public grounds or other public places of
DUNEDIN, DUNEDIN shall require said person or third party desiring or occasioning such
alteration, relocation or change to reimburse CLEARWATER for any loss, cost or expense
caused by or arising out of such change, alteration or relocation of any portion of
CLEARWATER'S facilities. CLEARWATER agrees that it will not intentionally interfere with,
Page 11 of 19
change, or injure any water pipes, drains, or sewers of DUNEDIN unless it has received express
permission from DUNEDIN or its duly authorized representative.
Should it become necessary in the installation of Gas lines or facilities to relocate water,
stormwater or sewer lines of DUNEDIN now or hereafter installed, then such work shall be done
at the expense of CLEARWATER and not DUNEDIN. It is understood that in all instances the
facilities of DUNEDIN shall have a reasonable right-of-way and preference over that of
CLEARWATER herein.
SECTION 15. INDEMNIFICATION.
CLEARWATER does hereby and shall at all times indemnify, defend and hold
DUNEDIN harmless from or on account of any claims, losses, injuries or damages, received or
sustained by any person or persons caused by or arising out of CLEARWATER's negligent
operation of the DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM within DUNEDIN during the term of this
FRANCHISE, or otherwise negligently caused by CLEARWATER in connection with the
operation of CLEARWATER's FRANCHISE pursuant to this Ordinance; or by or in
consequence of any negligence, excluding the sole negligence of DUNEDIN, in connection with
the same; or by or on account of the use of any improper materials or by or on account of any
negligent act or omission of CLEARWATER, its agents, servants, or contractors.
CLEARWATER agrees to defend, indemnify and save harmless DUNEDIN against liability
arising from or based upon violation of any Federal, State, County or Municipal law, ordinance
or regulation by CLEARWATER, its agents, servants, employees, or contractors. This
indemnification provision obligates CLEARWATER to defend DUNEDIN from any and all
liability claims and all suits and actions that may be brought against DUNEDIN resulting from
the sole negligence of CLEARWATER. CLEARWATER may defend DUNEDIN with
Page 12 of 19
CLEARWATER's in-house staff counsel at trial and all appellate levels or CLEARWATER may
provide for DUNEDIN's defense with outside counsel by paying for all attorney's fees, costs and
trial expenses. The decision to defend with in-house counsel or with outside counsel shall be
within CLEARWATER's sole discretion. CLEARWATER's obligation to defend DUNEDIN
for the acts or omissions of CLEARWATER, its agents, servants, employees or contractors shall
be limited to the extent provided in §768.28, Florida Statutes.
Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, this indemnification provision
shall not be construed as a waiver of any immunity from or limitation of liability to which
CLEARWATER or DUNEDIN is entitled to pursuant to §768.28, Florida Statutes. Furthermore,
this provision is not intended to nor shall be interpreted as limiting or in any way affecting any
defense CLEARWATER or DUNEDIN may have under §768.28 and is not intended to and shall
not be interpreted to alter the extent of CLEARWATER' s or DUNEDIN' s waiver of sovereign
immunity under §768.28. CLEARWATER and DUNEDIN shall be fully responsible for their
own acts of negligence or their respective agent's acts of negligence when acting within the
scope of their employment, and agree to be liable for any damages resulting from said
negligence. Nothing herein is intended to serve as a waiver of sovereign immunity by either
party, and nothing herein shall be construed as consent by either party to be sued by third parties
in any manner arising out of this FRANCHISE. The provisions of this section shall survive the
expiration or earlier termination of this FRANCHISE agreement.
SECTION 16. INSURANCE.
DUNEDIN shall be furnished proof of insurance coverage by CLEARWATER to include:
General Liability: $200,000.00 per Person/$300,000.00 per Occurrence self-insured retention
with statutory limits per Section 768.28, Florida Statutes.
Page 13 of 19
Excess Insurance: $7,000,000.00 per Occurrence, $14,000,000.00 Aggregate Excess Insurance
with self-insurance retention of $500,000.00.
Automobile Liability: $200,000.00 per Person/$300,000.00 per Occurrence self-insured
retention with statutory limits per Section 768.28, Florida Statutes.
Excess Insurance: $7,000,000.00 per Occurrence, $14,000,000.00 Aggregate Excess Insurance
with self-insured retention of $500,000.00.
Worker's Compensation and Employer's Liability: Statutory coverage as per the State of
Florida per Occurrence with self-insured retention of $600,000.00, as may be amended based on
availability in the insurance marketplace. Excess Insurance applicable Per Occurrence.
The insurance coverage required herein may be provided by CLEARWATER by self-
insurance, by self -funding, by purchase, or by any combination thereof at the sole option of
CLEARWATER. Insurance coverage and limits shall be evidenced by delivery to DUNEDIN
by letters of self-insurance or self -funding executed by CLEARWATER's Risk Manager, or by
certificates of insurance executed by either the agent for the insurers or the insurers or by copies
of policy declaration pages. Such letters, certificates, and policy declaration pages shall list
coverage's (including the amount of insurance per claim and per occurrence, any gap in
coverage, and the name of the excess insurer) and policy limits with expiration dates. Upon the
specific written request of DUNEDIN, a photocopy of each applicable insurance policy,
including all endorsements, will be provided to DUNEDIN.
SECTION 17. COMPLIANCE WITH ORDINANCES.
CLEARWATER, its successors and assigns, shall at all times comply with all ordinances,
rules and regulations enacted or passed by DUNEDIN not in conflict with the terms of this
FRANCHISE and CLEARWATER shall have the right to make, establish and maintain and
enforce such reasonable regulations for the operation of its Distribution System as may be
reasonably necessary and proper, not inconsistent with the terms of this FRANCHISE and the
ordinances of DUNEDIN, and to protect itself from fraud or imposition and may, in its
Page 14 of 19
discretion, refuse to furnish Gas and to cut off the supply from any customer or customers who
are in default in payment of any bill rendered for such service, as the law may allow.
SECTION 18. AVAILABILITY OF RECORDS; MAPS AND REPORTS.
As soon as practicable after effective date of this FRANCHISE, CLEARWATER shall
provide DUNEDIN with a map showing all CLEARWATER's Gas lines and facilities within
DUNEDIN. Upon DUNEDIN's request, CLEARWATER shall provide an up -date of such map
to reflect changes in Clearwater's Gas lines and facilities. Further, CLEARWATER, in
accordance with applicable law, shall provide for review and inspection of such maps and also
accounts and records of CLEARWATER and/or all such information regarding DUNEDIN that
DUNEDIN or its representatives may from time to time reasonably request or require.
CLEARWATER's financial records shall be kept and maintained in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles. All of these records shall, on written request of DUNEDIN, be
open for examination by DUNEDIN and DUNEDIN's representatives during ordinary business
hours, and such records shall be retained by CLEARWATER for a period of three (3) years, or
as otherwise required by law. Upon any map information of CLEARWATER becoming
available in electronic format, CLEARWATER shall at DUNEDIN's request make any map
information available in that format.
SECTION 19. ASSIGNMENT OF GRANT.
This grant or FRANCHISE, or any renewals thereof, shall not be leased, assigned, or
otherwise alienated.
SECTION 20. CONFLICT; FILING.
Upon the effective date of the FRANCHISE, the FRANCHISE provided in DUNEDIN' s
Ordinance 90-14 shall be of no further force and effect. Upon full execution hereof,
Page 15 of 19
CLEARWATER shall file with the Clerk a fully executed copy of this agreement for recording
in the public records in and for Pinellas County, Florida.
SECTION 21. ALTERNATIVE REMEDIES.
No provision of this ordinance or the FRANCHISE granted hereunder shall be deemed to
bar the right of either Party to seek or obtain judicial relief from a violation of any provision of
this ordinance, the FRANCHISE or any rule, regulation requirement or directive promulgated
under the FRANCHISE, whether administratively, judicially, or both. Neither the existence of
other remedies identified in this ordinance nor the exercise thereof shall be deemed to bar or
otherwise limit the right of either Party to recover fines, penalties or monetary damages for such
violation by means of specific performance, injunctive relief or mandate or any other
administrative remedy or judicial remedy at law or in equity.
SECTION 22. ENTIRE AGREEMENT
(a) CLEARWATER acknowledges that upon its acceptance of the FRANCHISE it does
so relying upon its own investigation and understanding of the power and authority of
a municipality generally to enter into a FRANCHISE AGREEMENT.
(b) Each party, by making this agreement, acknowledges that it has not been induced to
accept same by any promise, verbal or written, by or on behalf of the other party or
by any third person regarding the FRANCHISE not expressed herein.
CLEARWA lER further pledges that no promise or inducement, oral or written, has
been made to any city employee or official regarding receipt of the FRANCHISE.
(c) Each party further acknowledges that it has carefully read the terms and conditions of
this ordinance and the FRANCHISE AGREEMENT and accepts without reservation
the obligations imposed by the terms and conditions herein and in the FRANCHISE
AGREEMENT.
Page 16 of 19
(d) CLEARWATER shall provide timely written notice to DUNEDIN for any waivers,
exceptions, or declaratory rulings, filed with the FPSC or any other state or federal
regulatory agency, directly affecting the FRANCHISE AGREEMENT with
DUNEDIN.
SECTION 23. CHANGES IN PROVISIONS HEREOF
Changes in the terms and conditions hereof may be made by written agreement executed
by both DUNEDIN and CLEARWATER.
SECTION 24. GOVERNING LAW
This FRANCHISE shall be governed by the laws of the State of Florida and applicable
federal law.
SECTION 25. NOTICE
Notice under this agreement shall be in writing and sent by Registered or Certified Mail,
Return Receipt Requested, or by courier, express or overnight delivery, and by confirmed e-mail.
The date such notice shall be deemed to have been given shall be the business day of
receipt if received during business hours, the first business day after the business day of receipt if
received after business hours on the preceding day, the first business day after the date sent by
courier, express or overnight ("next day delivery") service, or the third business day after the
date of postmark on the envelope if mailed, whichever occurs first.
Notices to CLEARWATER shall be sent to:
Chuck Warrington
Managing Director
Clearwater Gas System
P.O. Box 4748
Clearwater, FL 33758
Page 17 of 19
Attn: Mayor
City of Clearwater
P.O. Box 4748
Clearwater, FL 33758
Notices to DUNEDIN shall be sent to:
Jennifer K. Bramley, City Manager
P.O. Box 1348
Dunedin, FL 34697-1348
With a copy to:
Thomas J. Trask, B.C.S., City Attorney
Trask Daigneault L.L.P.
1001 S. Ft. Harrison Ave., Suite 201
Clearwater, FL 33756
Any party hereto may change its address or designate different or other persons or entities
to receive copies by notifying the other party in a manner described in this Section.
SECTION 26. SEVERABILITY.
If any section, sections, part of a section, paragraph, sentence or clause of this ordinance
shall be adjudged by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, such invalidity shall not
affect the validity of any other portion thereof.
SECTION 27. EFFECTIVE DATE.
This FRANCHISE shall become effective upon the first day of the month after approval
by CLEARWATER by resolution, duly passed and adopted by its City Council, accepting the
FRANCHISE granted herein.
SECTION 28. This Ordinance shall take effect immediately upon passage and adoption.
PASSED AND ADOPTED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
DUNEDIN, FLORIDA, THIS
DAY OF
, 2020.
CITY OF DUNEDIN, FLORIDA
Bv:
Page 18 of 19
ie Ward Bujalski
yor
Reviewed and approved:
omas J. Tras , B.C.S.
City Attorney
Countersigned:
Frank V. Hibbard
Mayor
Attest:
Rebecca Schlichter
City Clerk
CITY OF CLEARWATER, FLORIDA
By:
William B. Horne, II
City Manager
Approved as to form: Attest:
Laura Mahony
Assistant City Attorney
Rosemarie Call
City Clerk
Page 19 of 19