CONDENSED VERSION AN ORDINANCE GRANTING TO MINNESOTA ENERGY RESOURCES, A SUBSIDIARY OF WEC ENERGY GROUP, A WISCONSIN CORPORATION, ITS’ SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS, PERMISSION TO ERECT A GAS DISTRIBUTON SYSTEM FOR THE PURPOSES OF CONSTRUCTION, OPERATING, REPAIRING AND MAINTAINING IN THE CITY OF RUSHFORD, MINNESOTA, THE NECESSARY GAS PIPES, MAINS AND APPURTENANCES FOR THE TRANMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF GAS TO THE CITY AND ITS’ INHABITANTS AND OTHERS AND TRANSMITTING GAS INTO AND THROUGH THE CITY AND TO USE THE PUBLIC GROUNDS AND PUBLIC WAYS OF THE CITY FOR SUCH PURPOSES.

THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RUSHFORD DOES ORDAIN THAT:

Section 1: Definitions — listing terms related to this ordinance and describing the meaning of same 

Section 2: Adoption of Franchise — gianting a non-exclusive franchise for the permission and authority for the construction and operation along publlC places a natural gas distribution system; defining Terms, Publication Expense, Dispute Resolution and Continuation of Franchise

Section 3: Government Rules and Regulations — ordinance is granted subject to conditions of a public utility; defining Service and Rates

Section 4: Construction and Maintenance of Gas Facilities defines Location of Facilities, Field Location and Mapping Information, Construction and Maintenance, Restoration, Avoid Damages to Gas Facilities, Notice of Improvements, Extension of Gas Facilities

Section 5: Relocation of Gas Facilities — deflnes Relocation of Gas Facilities in Public Ways and Public Grounds, Relocation Requests and Notices, Projects with Federal funding

Section 6: Vacation of Public Ways — definltion of Minnesota Rules requiring Clty to give at least two weelcs prior written notice of a proposed vacation of Public Way and potential relocation of the gas facility

Section 7: Indemnification- defines Hold Harmless terms and Defense of City

Section 8: Franchlse Fee — defines ability to charge fee by Separate Ordinance and Continuation of Franchise Fee

Section 9: Provisions of Ordinance — defines Severability, Limitation on Appllcability, Confldential Information, Force Majeure, Non-Waiver, Effect and Interpretation

Section 10: Amendment Procedure — either paid may propose an amendment to address area of concern

Section 11: Previous Franchises Superseded: this ordinance shall supersede all prior ordinances pertalning to this franchise agreement and any prioi ordinance 1n effect aie hereby repealed; specifically, the 2000 ordinance is hereby repealed

Section 12: Effective Date and Acceptance — this Ordinance becomes effectlve and is a binding contract between Grantor and Grantee upon final passage and approval by Grantor and upon acceptance by Grantee by written instrument withln SiXty days. If no objections to terms or provisions, Grantee shall be deemed to have accepted this ordinance and all of its terms and conditions.

Passed and approved by the City Council of the City of Rushford on this 14th day of April, 2025.

/s/ Terri L. Benson, Mayor

Attest:/s/ Kathy Zacher, City Clerk/Treasurer

The full version of this ordinance is available upon the City’s website at www.rushford.govoffice.com; or a copy will be made available to you by calling 507-864-2444 or requesting copy from citvkaz goacentek.net

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