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Council reviews draft franchise ordinance to govern utilities and potential pipelines in canyon rights-of-way
Summary
Council members examined a draft franchise ordinance that would set broad policy requirements—revegetation, watershed protection, conduit and removal of abandoned equipment—for use of public rights-of-way by utilities and potential pipelines; staff will revise the draft to add procedural protections and bring it back for action.
Council discussed a draft franchise ordinance intended to govern use of the city’s public rights-of-way by utilities, telecommunications providers and potential pipeline operators.
City attorney Cameron (staff) said the draft is deliberately broad, designed to require future franchise agreements to address slope stability, watershed protection and revegetation obligations rather than to contain every technical detail. “This ordinance would require that the agreement have enough detail in it that it would meet all of the requirements in the ordinance,” the city attorney said.
Why it matters: The state legislature’s recent attention to pipelines and utilities has prompted municipalities to adopt clear processes for rights-of-way access. The draft ordinance aims to balance utility access with protections for the canyon’s watershed, slopes and vegetation.
Council members requested several additions and clarifications: ensuring conduit can be installed during trenching to support broadband and fiber, requirements for vegetation restoration and damage repair, notice and dispute-resolution steps, emergency cooperation obligations with public safety agencies, and authority to charge fees for use of the right-of-way.
Councilmember Hawkes (S8) said she reviewed Summit County’s ordinance and will submit suggested clauses for conduit, vegetation recovery and dispute procedures. City attorney S16 said he will integrate the council’s feedback and distribute a revised draft for review at the next meeting before any passage is considered.
Next steps: Staff will update the draft to incorporate the council’s requested protections and return the ordinance for further discussion and possible adoption at a future meeting.
