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Council holds first reading on franchise to allow Advanced Internet to build fiber in city right-of-way
Summary
Public works staff presented Ordinance 7-25 — a proposed nonexclusive franchise for Advanced Internet Service Provider LLC to install and operate fiber in West Richland right-of-way. The council held a public hearing and took no action pending a second reading.
The West Richland City Council opened a public hearing and conducted a first reading of Ordinance 7-25 on April 15, a proposed nonexclusive franchise agreement that would allow Advanced Internet Service Provider LLC, doing business as Advanced High Speed Internet, to construct and maintain fiber-optic infrastructure in city rights-of-way.
Public Works Director Roscoe Slade presented the staff report, saying the company applied in January and that the draft ordinance follows the city’s standard franchise template and was reviewed by the city attorney. “The initial term of the franchise agreement is 10 years with automatic 5 year renewals,” Slade said, and he added that the applicant had reviewed the draft and “all their comments have been addressed.”
Why it matters: If adopted, the ordinance would authorize fiber construction and operations in public rights-of-way subject to the franchise terms, permitting Advanced Internet to serve city customers where the company acquires or builds infrastructure in town.
Public comment: The council opened the hearing for in-person comment and recorded no speakers; staff confirmed there were no virtual attendees. Slade also told council the applicant pays administrative processing costs and staff time to process the franchise application (approximately $2,500).
Next steps: Because this was the first reading, council took no action and Slade said the ordinance is scheduled to return for a second reading, public hearing and final adoption on May 6.
