Conroe staff proposes tighter right-of-way permits, insurance and bonds after residents report damage from fiber installs

City staff on April 23 presented a package of proposed changes to Conroe’s right-of-way permitting rules aimed at reducing damage and improving communication after repeated resident complaints about fiber and other utility installations.

The presentation, introduced by a city staff member, covered permit timelines, insurance requirements, performance bonds and inspection and enforcement steps. "These are just the basic insurance requirements that we should have been asking for that were waived by the previous administration. So we're now moving forward and requiring them to submit a certificate of insurance," the staff member said.

The staff presentation said permits would expire after six months, with extensions allowed only in limited circumstances, and that the city would require a certificate of liability insurance and a possible performance bond. Staff said the proposed insurance minimums include $1,000,000 per accident, $1,000,000 per employee, $2,000,000 aggregate and up to $5,000,000 umbrella coverage. Staff also proposed increasing the application fee (from $100 to $500 for an initial application) and adding a reinspection fee and stiffer enforcement including fines and the ability to…