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City attorney presents first readings for right-of-way rules and fiber-optic franchise
Summary
City Attorney Jeff Gray presented two ordinances for first reading: one to set requirements for use of utilities in city rights-of-way, and another granting a non-exclusive franchise to Fiber Utility Network Inc., d/b/a Alabama Fiber Network, to install fiber optics. Gray also flagged a forthcoming ordinance on consumable hemp products.
City Attorney Jeff Gray presented two ordinances for first reading at the Geneva City Council meeting on Jan. 20, 2026, outlining new rules for utility use of rights-of-way and granting a franchise for construction of a fiber-optic network.
Gray read Ordinance No. 01-2026-01, described as “an ordinance to establish requirements for the use of public and private utilities within the rights-of-way,” and Ordinance No. 01-2026-02, a proposed non-exclusive franchise to Fiber Utility Network Inc., doing business as Alabama Fiber Network, to construct and maintain fiber-optic infrastructure within the city’s public rights-of-way. Gray said the ordinances were before the council for first reading and consideration; no final votes were recorded in the meeting minutes.
Gray also reported the need to adopt an ordinance regulating the sale of consumable hemp products and provided a brief court update. No final action on any of the ordinances occurred at the Jan. 20 meeting; the items were presented for council consideration and will return for later action according to the council’s ordinance process.
The presentation of a fiber franchise frames a potential expansion of broadband infrastructure in the city; council members did not record final positions during the first reading. The franchise ordinance names Fiber Utility Network Inc., d/b/a Alabama Fiber Network, as the prospective franchisee.
