Council approves nonexclusive fiber franchises as providers outline build plans
Loading...
Summary
Battle Ground City Council approved several nonexclusive telecommunications franchise ordinances Nov. 3 for providers including Forged Fiber, EZ Fiber, Metro FiberNet and Ripple/Hyper Fiber. Representatives said they will coordinate construction and restoration schedules with the city to minimize impacts to streets.
The Battle Ground City Council on Nov. 3 adopted a series of nonexclusive franchise ordinances allowing multiple fiber providers to construct and operate telecommunications systems in city right-of-way. The ordinances grant five- or ten-year franchises under city code and state law.
The council approved franchise ordinances for Forged Fiber 37 LLC, EZ Fiber Texas LLC, Metro FiberNet LLC and Hyper Fiber of Washington LLC (doing business as Ripple Fiber). Each franchise ordinance was introduced at a prior meeting and met procedural requirements under state law and the city'9s franchise code.
Austin Kristofferson of EZ Fiber told the council EZ Fiber is investing in the state and emphasized a community-engagement approach. "We like to invest in the communities that we serve," Kristofferson said, adding EZ Fiber aims for transparent pricing and short contractor timetables for restoration. He said EZ Fiber is already starting projects in Southwest Washington.
Councilmembers stressed the importance of carefully managing street cuts and restorations and asked staff to monitor contractors'9 restoration schedules and pavement impacts. The public works director told council the agreements meet RCW requirements and recommended adoption.
All franchise ordinances were adopted by voice vote. The ordinances grant providers the right to build, maintain and operate communications lines in the public right-of-way subject to city restoration, permitting and encroachment rules.
