Warr Acres OKs revocable permit for Putnam City School District cabling in city rights-of-way

The Warr Acres City Council on April 2 approved a resolution granting a revocable permit to the Putnam City School District (and its vendor) to install and maintain communications cables within the city’s rights-of-way and easements as part of the district’s capital improvements.

A staff speaker explained the district’s vendor submitted plans and that earlier grants of use dated to the 1990s did not contemplate the current routing. "This is a more broadly worded resolution. It's revocable, so if there's any issue, we can revoke it," the staff speaker said, noting the permit covers permission to run the lines but does not alter existing city codes governing how the work must be done.

Council members discussed the distinction between a franchise and a permit when private companies use public rights-of-way. One councilmember observed that when a private company seeks to operate a business using the right-of-way (for example, attaching service to homes or charging fees), that requires a franchise and a vote of the people; the council said the school district's vendor is not being given a private franchise to bill residents. The staff speaker also described protections for city property if damage occurs: deposits for road-boring work are held until project completion and used to cover restoration if needed.

A councilmember moved and another seconded to grant the revocable permit. The council polled members by name and approved the motion. The resolution and the permits the administration preapproved will be held pending this action but will be consistent with city codes, the staff speaker said.

The council did not attach additional conditions or a timetable for work in the record beyond the permitting and deposit process discussed at the meeting.

The resolution passed and the meeting proceeded to the next items.