Council hears recurring complaints about repeated fiber digs and cellular service; asks staff to pursue state and industry options

Council members used their reports segment to press staff for action on recurring problems where multiple telecommunications contractors repeatedly trench neighborhood lawns for fiber work, sometimes reopening the same yards several times in a year, and on ongoing cellular and Wi‑Fi service gaps.

Council member Jesse said several neighborhoods have been dug repeatedly—"six or seven times" in about a year—and asked staff to seek mitigation strategies, including seasonal permitting windows or coordinated scheduling. Staff and the city attorney said state law limits some local permitting authority in publicly maintained rights of way because of preemption, but suggested next steps: coordinate with utility lobbyists, contact the League of Cities to build a multi-city approach, and engage the city’s state delegation if legislative changes are needed.

Why it matters: Residents complained of repeated disruption to private yards, intermittent damage to city utilities when contractors are not coordinated, and a lack of notification to Bonita Springs Utilities. Council members asked staff to examine restoration standards, conduits and notice mechanisms and to explore whether state-level advocacy could yield a solution.

Staff outlined potential interim measures such as improved restoration standards, advance conduit installation during city right-of-way projects to avoid repeated digs, and coordinated notification to utilities. The city’s lobbyists previously advised beginning conversations with the state delegation and the League of Cities; council directed staff to re-engage those channels and to report back.

Next steps: Staff will return with options, including possible outreach to the League of Cities and coordination with utilities and Bonita Springs Utilities regarding notification procedures.