Augusta approves up to $40,000 contract to remove telecommunication debris; city will seek reimbursement

The Augusta Commission approved an agreement to hire Current Edge Solutions LLC to secure and remove loose telecommunication wiring from streets and rights-of-way resulting from Hurricane Helene. The contract is not to exceed $40,000 and the city will initially fund the work from contingency while staff seeks reimbursement from telecommunications providers.

Madam Clerk read the item into the record: the agreement covers removal of loose wire telecommunication debris and is funded from contingency up to $40,000. Administrator Allen told the commission the debris contractors will not handle piles that contain loose or live wires, and telecom lines still embedded in debris must be documented and removed before the debris can be fully cleared.

Attorney John Matting described the operational plan: contracted retired linemen will inspect ROWs, document and identify wires, secure loose lines, and place them in a safe location. The city will then present documented removals to the utilities/telecom providers and request reimbursement. Staff said there is no guaranteed reimbursement from providers and that the specific work is not FEMA reimbursable; accurate documentation will be necessary to pursue provider reimbursement and to meet the state/FEMA deadlines for reimbursement processing.

Commissioner Johnson emphasized the need to pursue reimbursement vigorously; staff said they will document each wire to make claims straightforward. The item was added to the consent agenda and approved as part of the consent actions for the meeting.

The contract moves clearing work forward so that remaining hurricane debris may be removed by contractors who will not handle live or loose wiring.