Spanish Fort council adopts two fiber franchises, introduces zoning and contract items

Spanish Fort City Council unanimously adopted two ordinances authorizing nonexclusive franchises for Unity Fiber and Southern Light on Jan. 27 and introduced several other agenda items including zoning changes, bids for a parking lot and pickleball complex, a property acquisition contract and a proposed animal-shelter agreement.

The council approved amendments ratifying earlier franchise ordinances for Unity Fiber Gulfco LLC and Southern Light and agreed to a clarified Appendix C that more precisely allocates and describes application and payment of the minimum license fee. “They requested to have 2 franchises and this franchise, was approved. And they have signed and executed it, but there was a revision that was made to appendix c to more clearly allocate and describe the application and payment of the minimum license fee,” Miss Connor said during the discussion.

Why it matters: the franchise approvals clear the way for two fiber providers to operate in the city under clarified fee terms. The meeting also advanced several procurement and land-use items that will return for formal votes at upcoming meetings, and the council recessed into executive session to discuss personnel, pending litigation and a potential real-estate purchase.

The council voted to suspend rules and consider ordinance 697-2025 (Unity Fiber franchise) immediately and then adopted the ordinance on roll-call votes. The council later took the same procedural steps to approve ordinance 698-2025 (Southern Light franchise). Each franchise ordinance ratifies earlier approvals and adjusts appendix language about minimum fees and gross-receipt payments.

Other items introduced or discussed for future action - Zoning amendment (ordinance 695-2025): A proposed amendment to the city zoning ordinance would add Table 7, Section 7.13, to regulate outdoor storage-shed sales and displays. The draft limits shed displays to a maximum of eight units on a half-acre parcel and up to 16 units on parcels of one acre, allows the use only with planning-commission approval in B-3, B-4 and M-1 zones, and includes other restrictions on parking and access. A public hearing on the ordinance was set for Feb. 17. - Rezoning (ordinance 696-2025): A property at 10284 U.S. Highway 31 (corner of U.S. 31 and Eastern Shore Boulevard, across from the Marathon station and Rockwell School) was introduced for rezoning from R-1 (single-family residential) to B-1 (business). The planning commission held a public hearing Jan. 13 and forwarded a positive recommendation. The council scheduled a public hearing for Feb. 17. - The Haven, Inc. agreement (resolution 14/75-2025): The council introduced a resolution authorizing the mayor to enter into an agreement with The Haven, Inc. for assistance with care and adoption of stray animals. Miss Connor said The Haven has requested contract changes; the revised agreement will be returned to council for consideration. - Spanish Fort Community Center parking lot paving (resolution 14/76-2025): Bids were opened and Asphalt Services, Inc. was identified as the lowest responsible bidder. The bid base was stated as $179,933.75, with Alternate 1 of $27,980, producing a combined contract amount of $207,913.75 (as read into the record). The item was introduced for the council’s Feb. 3 agenda. - Voice-over-IP telephone system (resolution 14/77-2025): A proposed VOIP contract would be awarded to Telenx (recorded as “doing business as ceasefire business” in the bid materials). Council members asked staff to prepare a concise fee summary highlighting exact costs and recurring fees to accompany the contract before final consideration on Feb. 3. - Spanish Fort Town Center pickleball complex (resolution 14/78-2025): Harris Contracting Services Inc. was the low responsive bidder at $693,000. Council discussed a 120‑day construction window following issuance of a notice to proceed. The award was introduced for the Feb. 3 agenda. - Property acquisition (resolution 14/79-2025): The city introduced a contract to purchase a parcel owned by United Bank (Lot 2, Battle’s End Subdivision) located north of Spirit Park and across from city hall. The purchase price read into the record was $525,000. The contract was introduced for future review and approval.

Votes at a glance - Ordinance 697-2025 (Unity Fiber franchise): adopted following a motion to suspend the rules and immediate consideration. Roll-call votes recorded as unanimous in favor (members answering “Yes” during the roll call). Vote_record lists members who voted yes as recorded on the roll call. - Ordinance 698-2025 (Southern Light franchise): adopted following a motion to suspend the rules and immediate consideration. Roll-call votes recorded as unanimous in favor.

Executive session and adjournment The council moved into executive session under the statutory authority cited on the record to discuss the reputation/character and job performance of public employees, the legal ramifications and options for pending or imminent litigation, and valuation and negotiation strategy for city-owned real property. The city attorney announced the executive session was anticipated to last approximately 45 minutes and the council stated it would adjourn from executive session without returning to open session.