Council approves 10-year right-of-way lease with Dobson Technologies

The Durant City Council approved a 10-year right-of-way lease agreement with Dobson Technologies Transport & Telecom Solutions, LLC to govern fiber and related telecom work in city rights-of-way.

City staff told the council the agreement updates the existing franchise, raises the fee charged to the company, and includes technical provisions governing how deep Dobson may place fiber in the right of way.

A staff presenter described past work by Dobson in Durant, noting some utility lines were struck during prior construction but that Dobson remedied the issues. "They hit some lines when they were in town," the presenter said, but added that the contractor fixed the issues after follow-up.

Council members asked whether Dobson was finished with work in town; staff replied Dobson and a separate contractor, 360, still had projects in northern areas and that some complaints had been received during prior work.

The lease term discussed in the meeting is 10 years with renewals available under the agreement. A motion to approve item 4(c) passed on a roll-call vote with Council members Miller, Shear, Fuller, Vice Mayor Similescu and Mayor Martin Tucker voting yes.

City staff characterized the updated agreement as "cut and dry" and said it was reviewed by staff and city counsel prior to the vote.