Laserfiche WebLink
Page 2 of 3 <br />City of Redwood City 1017 Middlefield Road, Redwood City, CA. 94063 Tel: 650-780-7000 www.redwoodcity.org <br />Astound Broadband, LLC will resume installing, maintaining and operating its facilities within Redwood <br />City in accordance with its CPCN. The CPCN allows installation of Astound Broadband, LLC facilities in the <br />Redwood City public right-of-way in a manner similar to telephone and cable companies. Astound <br />Broadband, LLC facilities would include fiber optic communication lines that allow its customers to <br />communicate with data centers, exchange information, and access the internet. <br />Staff and Astound Broadband, LLC negotiated an agreement to provide a general framework for Astound <br />Broadband, LLC facilities. Within this framework, Astound Broadband, LLC will apply for the necessary <br />permits and approvals to install, maintain, and operate its facilities in compliance with state law and local <br />ordinances. The City has entered into numerous similar agreements with other communications <br />companies since 2000 and many of those companies continue to install, maintain, and operate their <br />systems in the public right-of-way. <br />ANALYSIS <br />Fiber optic companies are allowed to operate throughout the state once certified by CPCN. The agreement <br />does not grant Astound Broadband, LLC any new or additional rights, rather, the proposed agreement will <br />require Astound Broadband, LLC to comply with all local ordinances, including the requirement to apply <br />for an encroachment permit each time work is performed in the right-of-way and set expectations, and <br />establish processes for potential situations such as abandonment/removal of facilities. Under the <br />framework laid out by the agreement, Astound Broadband, LLC will provide a financial guarantee that it <br />will perform its work in accordance with the agreement and any associated permits. All other fees, <br />deposits and securities will still be due with each permit. <br />By entering into the proposed agreement, current and future staff will be aware of the authority granted <br />to Astound Broadband, LLC by the state’s CPCN, and Astound Broadband, LLC will carry out its work in <br />accordance with the specific terms laid out in the agreement. The agreement provides a predictable and <br />existing set of terms that cover all work performed by Astound Broadband, LLC, however each time <br />Astound Broadband, LLC intends to perform work in the City, staff may also apply permit-specific <br />conditions consistent with local ordinances. <br />Additionally, Astound Broadband, LLC will maintain membership in the Underground Service Alert system <br />so that its facilities can be identified more easily, similar to all other utility companies operating in the <br />City. The initial agreement term is set for ten years and will automatically renew for additional one-year <br />periods. <br />FISCAL IMPACT <br />There is no fiscal impact to the City as a result of this action. Astound Broadband, LLC will pay all required <br />fees and deposits for any future permits issued under the proposed agreement. <br />6.E. - Page 2 of 23 <br />171