June 28, 2022Asheville City Council
From the minutes, not yet reviewedCouncil approves moving the City's fiber franchise agreement from ERC to ERC Broadband, LLC.
Since 2004, the Education and Research Consortium of the Western Carolinas (ERC) has had a franchise to use City right of way. Instead of paying franchise fees, it gives the City fiber optic service. ERC can now pass the deal to ERC Broadband, LLC. The City says this spares it the cost of its own fiber, estimated in 2012 at more than $4.9 million.
- Passed with the routine items, in one vote, without discussion.
- What the City says it's for: “This agreement provides fiber optic capability to the City of Asheville in lieu of franchise fees for the use of City right of way.”
What that means
- Consent agenda:
- Routine items Council approves together in one vote, without discussion. Any member can pull an item out for its own vote.
Official title: Second and final reading of the ordinance authorizing assignment of the franchise agreement between the City of Asheville and the Education and Research Consortium of the Western Carolinas, LLC to ERC Broadband, LLC
Carried unanimously, as part of the consent agenda
From the minutes: This motion was seconded by Councilwoman Wisler and carried unanimously.
Read the motion as recorded
“SECOND AND FINAL READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 4951 - ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING ASSIGNMENT OF THE FRANCHISE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF ASHEVILLE AND THE EDUCATION AND RESEARCH CONSORTIUM OF THE WESTERN CAROLINAS, LLC TO ERC BROADBAND, LLC”
Open the minutesConsent agenda, item B