Commissioner urges city action on tangled cable lines; staff point to franchise and utility agreements

County Commissioner Isaiah Sankey told the Montgomery City Council work session that telecommunications and cable companies are stringing cable "in such a haphazard manner all throughout the city," creating visual clutter and safety concerns. "It looks a mess," Sankey said, urging the city to determine who has jurisdiction to require maintenance and clearer placement.

City staff responded that in several instances no city permit was required because there were no cuts to asphalt or concrete and that the decision to issue violations for hanging cables can be subjective. Staff noted franchise or attachment language can be interpreted to require structures and conduits in public rights of way be "kept and maintained in a safe, suitable, substantial condition, and in good order and repair." Sankey referenced an earlier franchise ordinance (45‑2009) as precedent to examine.

Wesley Cox, traffic engineering director, explained poles are owned and managed by the power company (Alabama Power) and that communications firms sign attachment agreements with the pole owner; those agreements largely govern where and at what height lines are placed. "Each of these communication companies go to the power company and sign an attachment agreement with Alabama Power to be able to attach to these poles," Cox said.

The council pledged to work with the commissioner and utility partners to explore whether franchise language, traffic engineering intervention or a clarified ordinance could reduce clutter while preserving service and franchise rights. No ordinance was adopted during the work session; staff said further interagency coordination will be needed.