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Council directs staff to pursue franchise with Aspire, to bring citywide fiber and microtrenching ordinance back for first reading
Summary
Council voted to authorize staff to negotiate a broadband franchise agreement with Aspire Networks and to return with an ordinance allowing microtrenching in the public right‑of‑way, aiming to build citywide fiber and provide dark‑fiber connectivity to city facilities and parks.
The Ojai City Council on Oct. 8 directed the city manager to negotiate a franchise agreement with Aspire Networks and asked staff to return with an ordinance allowing microtrenching in city rights‑of‑way.
City staff and Aspire representatives described a plan to deploy fiber to every lot line within the city (conduit to lot line) and to provide dark fiber to city facilities and parks, faster internet service for residents and businesses, and options for discounted connections for city use. Aspire said build‑out would be at no direct cost to the city and would include a revenue‑share mechanism and performance bond and insurance protections.
Design and construction details discussed included microtrench depth (typical residential trenches roughly 12 inches deep, commercial where constrained deeper), restoration practices (slurry backfill and a protective cap), and methods to avoid tree roots or sensitive areas by directional drilling or rerouting. Aspire representatives said crews can install 2,000–2,500 feet per day in optimal conditions and that restoration will include a Maxwell cap after slurry cure.
City staff noted an existing moratorium on new digging and said a narrow ordinance amendment would be needed to make microtrenching an allowed construction method. Council members discussed state and county broadband efforts, grant funding (often prioritizing unincorporated areas), and the potential for improved public safety operations (faster connections for city facilities, improved camera networks) and community digital‑inclusion programs after the physical network is in place.
After public comment and technical questions of staff, the council voted to direct the city manager to negotiate the franchise agreement and to return with the microtrenching ordinance for first reading. The vote was recorded by roll call; the motion passed with a majority and one abstention.
Ending: Staff will return with the negotiated franchise agreement and a draft ordinance to allow microtrenching; council flagged follow‑up items including franchise terms, city service pricing, protections for trees and pavement and outreach plans for take‑rates and digital inclusion.
