College Place council approves transfer of Ziply Fiber franchise to BCE Holding Corporation

City legal counsel summarized a request from Ziply (the existing franchisee) asking the City of College Place to consent to a franchise transfer after corporate merger activity involving Northwest Fiber and BCE Holding Corporation.

Counsel said the city's ordinance requires written consent before a transfer, assignment or similar change in the franchisee’s ownership, though consent "shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed" under the franchise terms. He outlined the corporate chain referenced in the request: Ziply's parent Northwest Fiber signed a merger agreement with BCE Holding, a U.S. subsidiary of Bell Canada; Bell Canada is ultimately owned by BCE Inc. "They do need the city's consent, because now their ownership has changed," counsel said.

Council members asked procedural and service‑coverage questions. Peterson noted Ziply's service does not reach some parts of the city (areas served by underground cable) and asked whether that affects the transfer; staff said Ziply chooses where to operate and the city does not control coverage decisions except where moratoria or other rules apply. After discussion, a council member moved to approve ordinance 26‑002 authorizing the transfer of the franchise agreement from Ziply Fiber to BCE Holding Corporation; the motion was seconded and passed.

The ordinance authorizes the mayor to sign the written consent required by the franchise agreement; no conditions or amendments were recorded on the council floor during the vote.