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Council sets hearing and bids for 68th Street reconstruction; staff reports private utility changes left some residents without copper service
Summary
Council approved notice and bidding for the 68th Street South reconstruction. During discussion, staff said Sentry Link appears to have removed copper service on parts of 68th Street and that Metronet may install fiber once the project is finished; staff described the change as a private business decision with limited municipal remedies.
The council considered Resolution 2024-76 to provide notice and set a public hearing for the 68th Street South reconstruction project and directed staff to advertise bids.
City staff said plans are wrapping up and that the bid posting would be posted this week. Staff explained the bid period was extended slightly to account for holidays and council scheduling.
Several councilmembers raised resident complaints that a local provider (referred to in the meeting as Sentry Link) had removed copper service along parts of 68th Street. A staff speaker said the city has not received responses to resident queries and that it appears the provider "made a business decision to remove their copper" and intends to place fiber on the new Mid-American poles as part of the project. Staff indicated the city does not have a clear regulatory lever to force continued copper service and that a private firm — Metronet or a similar fiber provider — could provide service once infrastructure is in place.
Council discussed whether the city could withhold permits from unresponsive utility companies that fail to address outstanding pole or right-of-way problems; staff cautioned that withholding permits can also delay service restoration for residents and creates tradeoffs the city must weigh.
The council approved sending the project documents to bid and setting a public hearing consistent with the resolution language. Staff will publish the plan/specs, contract form and estimated total cost in advance of the hearing per the resolution.
Next steps: city staff will post bidding documents and set a public hearing date; staff will continue to communicate with residents and utility providers about service concerns but characterized the Sentry Link change as a private business decision outside immediate municipal control.
