Council members raise safety concerns over loose OmniFiber cables; staff to follow up

Several council members and a resident raised public-safety concerns March 25 about bundles of fiber and junction boxes left hanging from utility poles and in some cases lying on the ground.

Councilor Mast presented photographs of loose cable and junction boxes at multiple locations, including Ayersville Avenue and Williams Street. Mast asked whether the visible installations were the city’s OmniFiber system; staff said they would investigate and contact the company. Mayor’s staff asked council members and residents to send specific addresses so the city can approach OmniFiber with a list of locations.

Resident (identified in the record as Mrs. Scratch) told council that fiber and cables behind her house and near a neighborhood pool are numerous and said OmniFiber representatives told residents they might leave some cable in place for possible future expansion. She said neighborhood children have tried to grab the cables. City staff said bundles hanging on poles are often acceptable when attached properly, but loose cable on the ground would be investigated and addressed.

Councilor Rusty asked whether the city should initiate complaints for the wires; staff said the usual procedure is for the city to make the initial complaint and that staff would follow up. Council members asked the clerk to forward Mast’s photographs to the appropriate staff member to begin outreach.

Council members urged residents who see loose cable or junction boxes to provide addresses to the clerk so city staff can package complaints and seek remediation from the company.

Ending: City staff committed on the record to look into the locations identified by council and to take complaints to OmniFiber as a grouped set of addresses to request cleanup or clarification of what is permanent work and what needs correction.