Citizen Portal
Sign In

Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!

Claim Your Spot

Get email alerts on the Procurement topic

No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

Council approves consent calendar, confirms franchise agreement for broadband; meeting recessed

Montgomery County Council · July 22, 2026
AI-Generated Content: All content on this page was generated by AI to highlight key points from the meeting. For complete details and context, we recommend watching the full video. so we can fix them.

Summary

The council approved the consent calendar, voted to approve a 10‑year right‑of‑way franchise agreement with Shentel supported by ARPA funds, and recessed the meeting until 1:30 p.m.; the franchise approval was unanimous.

After its policy discussion the council returned to the consent calendar. Council members moved and seconded approval of the consent calendar after suspending a rules provision to allow introduction and action on a particular item.

Staff explained item E: a 10‑year right‑of‑way franchise agreement with Shentel (a broadband provider) to place equipment along a route in a portion of the county that dips into Frederick County. The project is supported by ARPA funds that must be expended by 12/31/2026, making timely approval critical. Council moved the action (mover Kate Stewart, second Vice President Balcom) and voted unanimously to approve the franchise. Permitting and standard restoration and insurance bonds will apply to construction in the right of way.

CivIQMessage your representative