§ 1. [Grant of authority.]

BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SULPHUR, LOUISIANA, that, whereas, Entex, A Division of NorAm Energy Corp., a Delaware Corporation, authorized to do business and doing business in the State of Louisiana (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "Entex" or "Grantee"), is engaged in the sale, transporting, distributing, and supplying of gas in and through the City of Sulphur, Louisiana (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "Grantor"), under the jurisdiction of the Louisiana Public Service Commission;

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SULPHUR, LOUISIANA, in consideration of the obligations of Entex, its successors and assigns, as hereinafter set forth, that Grantee be and it is hereby granted, for a period of fifteen (15) years beginning on November 20, 1995, the date of expiration of existing franchise agreement, all necessary rights to sell, transport, distribute, and supply gas (natural and/or artificial and/or mixed), in, through and beyond the limits of Grantor as the same may now or hereafter lawfully exist, including the right to construct a system of pipes, pipe lines, gas mains, laterals, conduits, feeders, regulators, meters, fixtures, connections and attachments and other desirable instrumentalities and appurtenances in, over, under and through any and all of the streets, alleys, avenues, sidewalks, bridges, public grounds and public places of Grantor for said purposes; provided, however, that Grantee shall be liable for all damages or injuries to persons or property that may be caused by Grantee's negligence, and shall repair, at its expense, any damage that may be done by Grantee to the streets, alleys, avenues, sidewalks, bridges, public grounds and public places of Grantor so as to restore same to their former state or condition insofar as is reasonably possible to do so.