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City-approved telecom payments, lighting installation and pole removals discussed; board urges caution on full commitments
Summary
Aubrey told the board that city council approved $625,483.26 to Comcast for line removal and authorized $53,000 to AT&T for design; staff is coordinating with Verizon. The board discussed phased removal, decorative lighting installation in June, and a preliminary estimate that full removal of poles/wires may cost about $1 million.
Aubrey reported that the City Council has approved payment of $625,483.26 to Comcast for line removal work and authorized $53,000 to AT&T for additional design; staff continues to work with Verizon to determine removal costs and a timetable. "They are... coordinating removal cost and timetable," Aubrey said, adding there was no confirmed start date at the time of the special meeting.
Board members debated the phasing and procurement approach after one council member removed the item from the consent agenda for additional discussion. Concern centered on whether proceeding with one provider could affect costs for the others. Aubrey said a phased approach has been used successfully on past downtown projects to remove overhead lines.
Aubrey also reported staff and vendor coordination is complete for decorative lighting installation; installation is expected to begin in June and take approximately two weeks and will include City Hall, the library and the Senior Activity Building. The board noted the lights will be programmable and discussed timing to try to have them in place for July 4.
Members reviewed a downtown map showing fixtures slated for removal and asked staff for clearer mapping: five fixtures have been removed, six active requests remain, and some marked addresses are outside the district. One member offered a preliminary, informal estimate that total removal could reach about $1,000,000 when all providers are included; board members cautioned that estimate is uncertain and said the board should wait for complete bids before committing district funds.
No formal funding decision beyond the city council actions was taken by the FDEDC at the special meeting. Board members asked staff to provide clearer maps, updated cost estimates from each provider and coordination details before advancing further commitments.
