Sumner council approves fiber franchise, parking-code updates and personnel changes in unanimous votes

Sumner City Council on April 6 approved several ordinances in unanimous roll‑call votes, including a 10‑year franchise allowing EZ Fiber to build fiber infrastructure, administrative updates to personnel policy, a civil‑service amendment exempting the police chief position, and revisions to the city’s parking code.

City Attorney Andrea Marquez described Ordinance 2956 as "a franchise agreement with EZ Fiber, a Houston‑based company planning to install fiber telecommunications throughout the city." She said the nonexclusive 10‑year agreement grants a license to use the public right of way, that each segment of the build will require separate permits and bonds, and that EZ Fiber must relocate facilities at its own cost if a city capital improvement project requires it.

Human Resources Manager Adrienne McNally said Ordinance 2957 makes four primarily administrative changes to Sumner Municipal Code chapter 2.1, including updates to compensatory‑time language to reflect federal law, leave‑accrual clarifications for permanent part‑time employees, minor payday scheduling adjustments and authority for the mayor to implement a policy for branded clothing. "These updates are primarily administrative in nature and are intended to ensure our policies remain current, consistent, and aligned with best practices," McNally said.

McNally also presented Ordinance 2959 to amend code chapters 2.86 and 2.96 to exempt the police‑chief position from civil‑service protections. She said the change reflects common practice, is permitted by state law, and that the incoming chief had been informed and raised no objections.

Community and Economic Development Director Ryan Windisch described Ordinance 2960 as a needed cleanup of the parking code to address four‑hour truck parking, prohibited parking on certain streets, loading‑zone timing and back‑in angle parking alignment.

All four ordinances were adopted on roll call with recorded majorities of 5–0. The council did not record any 'no' votes, abstentions or recusals for these items.

Votes at a glance: - Ordinance 2956 (EZ Fiber franchise): Adopted, roll call 5–0. - Ordinance 2957 (personnel policies): Adopted, roll call 5–0. - Ordinance 2959 (civil‑service amendment for police chief): Adopted, roll call 5–0. - Ordinance 2960 (parking‑code amendments): Adopted, roll call 5–0.

Council materials showed no immediate budget impact for the personnel or civil‑service changes; franchise build segments will be subject to separate permits and bonds as provided in the agreement. No new implementation dates were announced at the meeting beyond adoption.