Burien to put two 10-year fiber franchises on consent agenda; staff says agreements are standard

Burien — The Burien City Council on Feb. 9 heard staff introductions to two ordinances that would grant 10-year franchises to fiber companies to operate in city rights-of-way and voted to place both items on the next meeting’s consent agenda.

Brian Tornow, Development Manager in Public Works, told council the ordinances (No. 888 for Forged Fiber and No. 889 for EZ Fiber) would authorize each company to construct, maintain and operate fiber within the public right-of-way for a 10-year term and allow annual renewal. He described Forged Fiber as a wholesale fiber transport service that owns fiber and leases capacity to third-party providers; EZ Fiber was described as an end-to-end telecommunications provider that would install and provide service directly to customers.

Tornow said the franchise forms are largely standard and noted the city will receive insurance and bonding from providers and can recoup costs through right-of-way permit fees; the city can also collect a 6% tax on telephone service if providers offer that product. Council members asked about citywide coverage and fiscal impacts; staff said the franchises cover the entire city and that direct fiscal impacts are minimal besides permit cost recovery.

A motion to place each ordinance on the consent agenda passed unanimously; final franchise approval, if pursued, will occur at a later meeting when the ordinances are scheduled for formal adoption.