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TO: Mayor John Laesch
FROM: Jason Bauer, Director of Public Works
DATE: September 30, 2026
SUBJECT:
A resolution authorizing the Mayor or his Designee to execute Master License Agreements with vendors installing fiber optic utilities throughout the city.
PURPOSE:
To create uniformity with all fiber vendors, the Master License Agreement (MLA) will include the requirements of the city regarding new fiber installations.
BACKGROUND:
Historically, most private utility companies within rights-of-way and easements have been limited to providing natural gas, electricity and copper communication lines. With the demand for faster internet services growing, several newer companies have entered the market and are looking to provide fiber optic lines within the city. In many instances, there are no agreements above and beyond the standard permitting language that provides the city with the ability to exercise any additional control over the permitting, installation and ongoing operation/maintenance of these new utilities. As a result, staff and outside counsel have developed a new MLA to cover the existing gaps as these new vendors continue to expand their presence throughout the city.
DISCUSSION:
The new MLA is included as Exhibit A and the highlights of the MLA are summarized and included as Exhibit B. The included MLA, Exhibit A, will be provided to all vendors for execution; as a part of this resolution, the mayor or his designee will have the authority to execute future MLAs following this template. Creation of this new MLA provides numerous benefits to the city as it clearly defines the city's expectations of the vendor and the associated delays they will experience during the permitting and construction processes, should any of the currently permitted installation projects progress in a manner that isn't in alignment with the MLA. A few such examples are generally the concerns that arise from lack of notification, lack of knowledge regarding who ...
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