Council hears Race Communications plan for citywide fiber build; staff flags temporary‑pole and vault impacts
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Summary
Race Communications described a phased fiber build to reach roughly 9,600 homes; city staff identified likely public complaints tied to temporary utility poles and vault boxes and sought council concurrence to proceed with encroachment permitting. Council gave staff a general nod to move forward while asking for continued coordination.
Race Communications representatives introduced a proposed citywide Internet and telephone build to the Madera City Council on Feb. 18. David Gomez (city engineering) and Jim Miller (Race) outlined a phased construction plan covering about 9,600 homes in the first phase; Race said its networks are fiber‑to‑the‑home and operate as a competitive local exchange carrier (CLEC), offering redundant infrastructure and locally staffed project managers.
City staff said the design is largely supportable but flagged two recurring concerns: (1) installation of temporary utility poles to support overhead work where existing poles are deteriorated—Race cautioned temporary poles could remain in place up to 12–18 months or longer depending on pole owners—and (2) placement of small vault boxes and conduit in public utility easements near residences, which can prompt resident complaints. Race described outreach and mitigation practices—direct mail, door‑hanger notices 72 hours before work, online videos and local project managers—and said it coordinates geotagging of temporary poles with pole owners to speed transfer to permanent infrastructure.
Council members asked about overlap with other construction (the Yosemite Avenue Caltrans work and city waterline projects), prioritizing temporary‑pole removal in heavily disturbed areas, and how Race would manage sidewalk or lawn repairs after boring or microtrenching. Jim Miller said Race aims for a 12–18 month build pace in similar Central Valley communities and that the company will open trouble tickets, document damage and dispatch local crews for repairs.
City staff asked whether council wanted staff to proceed with encroachment permitting and preconstruction coordination; councilmembers signaled general support (nods and thumbs up) for staff to continue preparations and permit processing, with a request to minimize resident impacts and prioritize coordination where other public projects overlap.