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City to consider franchise agreements with Lumos Fiber and MCI Metro; companies seek consistent rights and expedited start
Summary
City staff presented new franchise agreements for Lumos Fiber of Alabama and MCI Metro that mirror existing fiber/telecom terms; Lumos representative and city counsel said agreements align with prior franchise terms, and MCI is restarting previously held franchise rights; MCI and Lumos said construction needs motivate prompt action.
City counsel presented two franchise-agreement items: a new fiber franchise agreement with Lumos Fiber of Alabama and a new franchise agreement with MCI Metro.
Counsel said the Lumos agreement is "in line with all of our other fiber franchise agreements we have for tier 1 and tier 2 telecoms," with the same guidance, restrictions and penalties for work in the right-of-way. A Lumos representative (Brent) was on hand for questions.
On MCI Metro, counsel said the company previously held a franchise and the new agreement would replace the prior arrangement; staff said there had been no problems with MCI under the prior agreement and that the new contract contains the same controls. Counsel said both applicants asked for immediate consideration because contractors were ready to start construction; staff said delay would push back construction timelines.
Why it matters: franchise agreements authorize telecom firms to place infrastructure in public rights of way and set conditions to protect city streets and public safety. Counsel asked the council to consider immediate action to avoid delaying projects.
Next steps: staff requested the items be considered for immediate consideration on Monday; the transcript does not record a final council vote.
