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Lake Elmo hears case for municipal broadband franchising; experts urge due diligence
Summary
An outside attorney described how Woodbury negotiated the state—irst broadband franchise and urged Lake Elmo to consider franchising to secure build‑out, customer service standards and franchise fees; commissioners asked for comparative data and legal risk analysis before directing staff to proceed.
Mike Bradley, an attorney who represents municipal cable and telecommunications commissions, told a joint Lake Elmo City Council and commissions workshop that franchising broadband can give cities tools to require full build‑out, set customer‑service standards and collect franchise fees.
Bradley said Woodbury negotiated the state—irst broadband franchise and that the model can include open‑access wholesale systems or vertically integrated providers. "We negotiated the state's first franchise," he said, adding that franchises can require a five‑year build‑out and allow cities to…
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