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Keizer council approves nonexclusive franchise for EZ Fiber after discussion of repair standards
Summary
Keizer City Council unanimously adopted an ordinance allowing EZ Fiber to install telecommunications infrastructure in city rights-of-way, with council and staff stressing permits, repair timelines and consumer protections; company representatives said they will staff a local office and prioritize community engagement.
Keizer — The Keizer City Council on Oct. 6 adopted an ordinance authorizing a nonexclusive franchise agreement with EZ Fiber that allows the company to use the city’s rights-of-way to provide telecommunications services.
City Attorney Joseph Lindsay told the council the agreement follows federal law — 47 U.S.C. §253 — and Oregon statutory provisions that limit how strictly a city can regulate telecommunications providers. “We ask for the statutory maximum of 7% of their revenues,” Lindsay said, and the draft franchise requires providers to follow local public-works standards and to incorporate future ordinance or resolution changes.
Why it matters: the ordinance clears the way for another provider to expand high-speed internet in Keizer while attempting to preserve the city’s authority to require standards for construction, repairs and public-safety protections.
Councilors asked how the city would prevent repeated sidewalk and driveway damage that some residents attribute to earlier installations by other companies. Council President Shaney Starr said she did not want property owners left paying for repairs. City Manager Adam Brown and Lindsay said the city will require preconstruction plans, a local point of contact, prompt communications and permit conditions that allow the city to revoke permits if work is not restored according to standards.
Austin Kristofferson, director of government affairs for EZ Fiber, spoke for the company. “We typically don’t move to the next thing until that last thing was restored, same or better, as before,” Kristofferson said. He said EZ Fiber expects to open a regional office in Oregon and to hire a community-impact staff member who will attend local events and act as a neighborhood contact.
The council vote: The ordinance passed unanimously with two members absent. The record shows the motion passed with five yes votes and two absences.
What’s next: The franchise is nonexclusive, so other providers may also seek similar agreements. City staff said they will make permit conditions explicit about restoration timelines and point-of-contact responsibilities, and that the city will monitor the company’s compliance and require repairs before final permit sign-off.
Council and staff emphasized the limits of local authority under federal law but said the ordinance was written to preserve the city’s ability to impose reasonable, non-discriminatory local standards.
Ending: Councilors and company representatives said they expect ongoing coordination; staff will report back if permit compliance or repair disputes arise.
