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Council introduces Swift Fiber franchise, staff warns of past utility damages and prefers pole attachments
Summary
Ordinances to grant Swift Fiber a franchise and a joint-use pole agreement were introduced; City staff urged pole attachments rather than repeated boring after citing past incidents in which fiber construction damaged a 12-inch water main and disrupted service along I-49.
Council introduced Ordinance 15 (franchise for Swift Fiber) and Ordinance 016 (joint-use pole agreement) to allow the broadband provider to install fiber in specified corridors of the city. City staff member Tim explained the company's proposed routes and said most segments run along state right-of-way where the city has limited authority.
Tim and other staff emphasized that pole attachment agreements would protect critical underground water infrastructure. "The last time Swift came even close to us, they hit our 12 inch water line out on I 49 and put the entire I 49 corridor out of water," Tim said during the discussion, urging permit and fee safeguards and a permit/inspection process to protect roads and utilities.
The ordinances were introduced for future consideration; staff said they will examine permit fees, pole-audit timing and requirements to ensure repairs and oversight are budgeted.
