Perry council holds first reading on Duke Energy franchise renewal

The Perry City Council held a first reading July 22 on ordinance 10-55 to renew a franchise agreement with Duke Energy Bridal LLC to occupy municipal streets and rights-of-way while providing electric service to the city. The ordinance, introduced by council leadership, renews an agreement the two parties first executed in 1996 and sets the terms and conditions for utility use of city rights-of-way. City staff said the meeting mark was the ordinance’s introduction to first reading and that a public hearing will follow. Why it matters: franchise agreements determine how utilities use public rights-of-way, set public-safety and maintenance responsibilities, and can include compensation or service commitments that affect ratepayers and city oversight. City officials and Duke Energy representatives emphasized reliability. Kim Graves, identified in the meeting as “manager of community and government relations” for Duke Energy, described the request as a renewal and thanked the city: “we are requesting a renewal of the franchise agreement … to say thank you to the city of Perry for being such a great customer.” Scott (meeting participant) and Mayor Kettering thanked Duke Energy for storm response and ongoing reliability work. Council members also raised resident complaints about subcontractor damage tied to recent work—mailboxes, driveways and garbage cans were cited—and asked staff to follow up on specific reports. City staff said they would investigate individual addresses if provided and scheduled follow-up between staff and concerned residents. Next steps: the ordinance advanced as a first reading; the council will schedule a public hearing, at which members of the public may speak and the council may consider final adoption.