Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Utilities And Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Residents complain of Brightspeed crews on private yards; city says it will issue 30‑day notice under franchise agreement
Summary
Residents told the council Brightspeed crews placed conduit and left unsafe holes on private property and did not use Alabama One Call locates; city staff said they have compiled grievances and will send Brightspeed a 30‑day notice under the franchise agreement with potential next step to seek termination if issues are not mitigated.
Multiple Enterprise residents told the City Council on April 7 they have experienced repeated, unwanted door-to-door solicitations and alleged property damage caused by Brightspeed crews working in the area.
Phyllis Forbes, a long-time resident, said crews placed an orange conduit on her private yard, left a roughly 20-inch-deep hole and did not respond when police were called for the initial incident. "They trespassed on our property, put that hole there," Forbes said, and asked what the city can do to hold the company accountable.
Robert Forbes, her husband, cited state law and said Alabama One Call (the statewide locating service) was not used before work was done on his property and that buried utilities — including a 2-inch gas main, multiple cable lines and water/sewer lines — were at potential risk. He referenced statutory obligations under Alabama law and said failure to call One Call is a violation handled through the district attorney.
City staff responded that the mayor's office and city engineer have fielded numerous complaints and are compiling them for a formal notice. Staff said the city's franchise agreement contains remedies (staff cited sections 13, 15 and 18) and that next week the city attorney will serve a notice to Brightspeed giving 30 days to mitigate alleged violations; if the company fails to address the grievances, the city said it could pursue termination of the franchise agreement.
Chief ___ (police) advised residents to call the non-emergency police line (347-2222) when solicitors or crews behave in ways that appear noncompliant; the chief said officers have issued citations and made arrests in past instances of noncompliant solicitation. Staff also noted the city has a solicitor-badge requirement and that solicitors operating without a badge are not in compliance with the city's ordinance.
Council members thanked the residents for reporting incidents and said staff will follow up. The city said it will accumulate complaints, send the 30-day notice to Brightspeed and bring the matter back to the council for further action if necessary.
