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Prattville council grants two nonexclusive fiber franchises to Southern Light and Uniti Fiber
Summary
The council adopted two ordinances granting nonexclusive, limited-rights franchises to Southern Light LLC and Uniti Fiber Gulfco LLC to construct fiber-optic lines in Prattville rights-of-way; both ordinances were adopted after suspending rules for same-night passage.
The Prattville City Council on Tuesday approved two ordinances granting nonexclusive franchises to Southern Light LLC and Uniti Fiber Gulfco LLC that authorize each company to construct fiber-optic transmission lines in and along city rights-of-way.
Why this matters: The ordinances allow private providers to deploy fiber infrastructure on city rights-of-way under franchise terms approved by the council. City officials said the ordinances are nonexclusive and provide limited authority for construction in the public way.
Council action: Councilor Strutchett introduced the Southern Light ordinance; the council moved to suspend rules to consider it on the same night and approved the suspension by roll-call vote. The rules suspension and ordinance adoption were recorded as unanimous. The council later followed the same procedure for Uniti Fiber Gulfco LLC and adopted that ordinance as well.
Discussion and procedures: There was no substantive on-the-record debate after the ordinances were introduced; councilors conducted roll-call votes to suspend rules and then approved the ordinances by voice. City staff did not present additional materials on the ordinances during the meeting record.
Implementation: Each ordinance grants a nonexclusive franchise and limited authority to construct fiber-optic transmission lines in city rights-of-way. The ordinances were adopted under the council's local ordinance authority; no franchise agreements were read into the record at length during the meeting.
Ending: Councilors adopted both ordinances with the same procedure (motion, suspension of rules, roll-call vote for suspension, adoption). There were no public comments at the time of passage and no dissent recorded on the council floor.
