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Culpeper council approves 30-year conduit franchise for MCI, accepts Columbia Gas easements and confirms reappointments
Summary
The Town Council accepted a bid from MCI Communications Services LLC for a 30-year conduit franchise (waiving second reading), recorded bids from Columbia Gas of Virginia for a 40-year transmission easement, approved a 15-foot deed of easement for Old Brandy Road with relocation at company expense, and reappointed members to the joint board of building code appeals.
The Culpeper Town Council on the evening's agenda accepted a bid from MCI Communications Services LLC for a 30-year conduit franchise that will permit use of town rights-of-way for underground conduit. A staff presenter told the council the conduit already exists in the ground, the company has about 7,600 linear feet within town limits, and under current rates annual revenue would be approximately $12,000. Staff recommended adopting uncodified ordinance O 02/5006 and waiving a second reading so the ordinance could pass on first reading; the council moved, seconded and recorded 'Aye' votes to carry the motion.
The council also opened and recorded bids for nonexclusive transmission right-of-way easements. The town received a bid from Columbia Gas of Virginia for $1 for a 40-year transmission easement; the bid was marked and delivered to the clerk as required by state law. Separately, staff reported a request from Columbia Gas of Virginia for a 15-foot deed of easement on town parcel 41-93 along Old Brandy Road to construct and maintain a new gas main. Staff said the deed had been reviewed by the town attorney as to form, that Columbia Gas must relocate the gas main at its expense if the town or VDOT requires relocation in the future, and that staff anticipated no financial burden to the town; staff recommended accepting the deed and authorizing the town manager to execute the necessary documents. A council member moved to approve the deed of easement and the council recorded 'Aye' votes and carried the motion.
On appointments, a council member moved to reappoint Alvin Fardos O'Neil and Anthony Kranbach to the joint board of building code appeals for five-year terms beginning 01/01/2026 and expiring 12/31/2030; the motion passed by voice vote.
The council's recorded roll call during franchise and easement items included multiple 'Aye' responses from members; the transcript records Mayor Reed and Councilman Ruppel among those named during roll call. No roll-call tallies by named member beyond those announcements were fully specified in the meeting transcript provided.
