Riverfront residents say broadband contractor entered yards without notice; city pulls permit

Members of the South Salt Lake City Council heard several residents on Feb. 12 who said contractors installing broadband infrastructure entered backyards without notice, worked in a drainage easement residents say remains recorded as such, and began work after the permit expired.

Corinne Padilla, a Riverfront resident, told the council she woke on Jan. 7 to contractors in her backyard and that neighbors received no advance notice. She said county records show the rear strip behind properties remained a drainage easement and that her conversations with the county recorder and the county assessor did not show a change to a public utility easement. "They told me that they had right to enter our property and I quote, 'without notice for any reason and they could place anything in our yard that they so chose,'" Padilla said.

Padilla said the contractor identified itself as Niles Fugle and that Lumen was the company behind the project. She said Lumen's contractors began work after the permit had expired on Jan. 3 and that the contractor had told residents it was acceptable to continue work if the company accepted liability for any damage. Padilla said she had retained a private attorney to pause the project while she sought documentation and that a city inspector later pulled the permit.

Melissa Bowers, a South Salt Lake resident who said she had contacted other municipalities, said residents were told contractors used rear easements as a cost-saving measure. "…they admitted that this was done to go through our back easements as a cost saving measure," Bowers said, asking the council to investigate whether South Salt Lake residents were treated differently than other communities that received mailed notice and door-to-door information.

Riverfront homeowner Jeff Fatai told the council contractors had also worked in front yards and caused visible damage. He said residents are concerned about possible damage to underground sprinkler systems that may not be apparent until spring irrigation resumes and asked the city to coordinate accountability and compensation for repairs.

Mayor Wood told residents inspectors were sent to the neighborhood, the city's permit had been pulled and the city was gathering information. "We did pull the permit, and as soon as we have updates, we'll get those to you as well," the mayor said. Councilmember Ray DeWolf, who said he lives in Riverfront and was recently appointed to the council, told residents he heard their concerns and would be an advocate.

Speakers urged the council to seek documentation from Lumen and its contractors and to require the company to use front easements where they exist. Padilla said she believes state statute 54-3-27 was being abused; she made that claim in public comment but did not identify a specific judicial determination. City staff told the council they had halted on-site work pending verification of easement status and permit authority.

The council did not take a formal vote on enforcement or a specific remedy during the meeting; the mayor said staff would share updates when available.