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Council reviews TDS franchise renewal; company agrees to site improvements and local contact
Summary
Council received a first reading of a five-year franchise renewal with TDS Telecom; the draft keeps existing terms, adds a local contact and requires exterior repairs and repainting of a nearby telecom building as part of negotiated terms.
City attorney Janine Parker presented a first reading of an ordinance renewing the franchise agreement with TDS Telecom. The draft ordinance extends the existing franchise for five years with largely the same terms and includes negotiated provisions requiring TDS to repair and improve an existing facility near city hall and to provide a local contact for city issues.
Parker said the agreement is consistent with earlier franchises and staff found the terms protective of the city. She noted Section 5(h) (as drafted) includes a requirement for the company to undertake particular repairs coordinated with staff. Mayor Stroban and Tracy Coleman said the agreement goes beyond prior versions by securing commitments to paint and improve the visible building near city hall.
No final vote was taken; the ordinance is subject to the special statute requiring franchise proposals be presented at least five days prior to final adoption. Council indicated support for returning the ordinance for adoption at the next meeting and asked staff to include a named local contact for TDS in the final draft.
Why it matters: franchise agreements authorize private telecom providers to place facilities in public right-of-way and set conditions governing work, maintenance and local points of contact; this draft adds community-facing improvements and a local contact.
