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Oak Grove adopts right-of-way agreement for Bluebird Network; approves sale of surplus city property
Summary
The Board of Alderwomen unanimously adopted Ordinance 2128 (Bill 25-01) authorizing a rights-of-way use agreement with Bluebird Network LLC and approved posting four surplus items for sale. The Bluebird agreement matches existing contracts with other providers and aims to allow fiber buildouts along city rights-of-way.
The Board of Alderwomen voted unanimously on Feb. 3 to adopt Bill 25-01, an ordinance authorizing the mayor to execute a rights-of-way use agreement with Bluebird Network LLC, and separately approved the sale of surplus city property via govdeals postings.
City staff explained the Bluebird agreement allows the company to use public right-of-way to construct, install, operate and maintain fiber-optic communications facilities. “By state statute we do have to allow fiber companies to utilize our right of way,” a city staff member said, adding the proposed agreement is consistent with existing agreements the city has with Clearwave, BrightSpeed and Socket.
The ordinance was read by title, moved for adoption and approved by roll call. Alderwoman Tracy Newcomer, Kelly Neto, Rachel Kilmer, Sierra McMichael, Pam Pope and Melissa Johnson all voted “yes,” and the motion carried. City staff recorded the bill as becoming Ordinance No. 2,128.
Staff said Bluebird has already signed its copy of the agreement and currently holds a pending permit to run fiber up Thirteenth Street to connect a cell tower at Frick Park, where the tower operator is seeking faster bandwidth. The company has run lines along Broadway (MoDOT right-of-way) and wired local library facilities under a separate agreement with the Mid-Continent Public Library; staff said Bluebird has not yet specified whether it will offer commercial residential service citywide.
On a separate motion, the board approved posting four surplus items for sale, including two parks trucks, a conference table from City Hall and an older concrete saw. City staff said the items have been inventoried and that prior surplus sales have consistently sold on the platform. The surplus-sale motion passed by voice vote.
The board’s action puts the Bluebird agreement in effect subject to mayoral signature and authorizes staff to proceed with the surplus-property sale process.
