HomeMy WebLinkAboutTIS 2025-03-24 Item 2A - Agreement - Telecommunication Franchise Agreement with Ezee Fiber TexasCity of Tukwila
Thomas McLeod, Mayor
INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM
TO: City Council, Committee of the Whole
FROM: Joel Bush, Chief Information Officer
BY: Eric Compton, Franchise Analyst
CC: Thomas McLeod
DATE: 03/17/2025
SUBJECT: Franchise Agreement with Ezee Fiber Texas, LLC
ISSUE
Approve an ordinance granting Ezee Fiber Texas, LLC (Ezee Fiber) a new Franchise
Agreement with a term of five (5) years.
BACKGROUND
State law provides cities the authority to establish franchises to telecommunication providers
who wish to occupy city owned rights -of -way. Tukwila Municipal Code 11.32.060 requires all
telecommunication providers to obtain franchise agreements with the City prior to approval to
construct, maintain and operate within the City limits.
DISCUSSION
Ezee Fiber provides home internet services in multiple western States and is looking to expand
their network into Tukwila residential neighborhoods.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Under the terms of the Franchise, Ezee Fiber is required to pay the City a $5000 administrative
fee.
RECOMMENDATION
Council is being asked to approve the Ordinance granting Ezee Fiber a Franchise Agreement
and consider this item at the April 14, 2025 Committee of the Whole and April 21, 2025 Regular
Meeting.
ATTACHMENTS
Tukwila Draft Telecom Franchise Ezee Fiber
31
ORDINANCE NO.
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF TU
GRANTING TO EZEE FIBER TEXAS, L
SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS,
AUTHORITY AND NONEXCLUSIVE
TO CONSTRUCT, MAINTAIN, OP
TELECOMMUNICATIONS NETWO
UNDER, THROUGH AND B LOW C
RIGHTS -OF -WAY OF THE
ESTABLISHING AN EFFEC
WHEREAS, Ezee Fiber
Washington as Ezee Fiber,
to construct, operate, and m
along, and over certain
WASHINGTON,
ITS AFFILIATES,
T, PRIVILEGE,
NCHIS ' R FIVE YEARS,
PLAC AND REPAIR A
CROSS, OVER, ALONG,
AIN DESIGNATED PUBLIC
LA, WASHINGTON; AND
ranchisee") doing business in the State of
-exclusive telecommunications franchise
nications facilities upon, in, under, across,
nd Right -of -Ways; and
WHEREAS, ne Partie esi e to execute a new nonexclusive franchise (this
"Franchise") for purpL 9s of o rating and maintaining a telecommunications network;
and
WHEREAS, the City Council has the authority to grant franchises for the use of its
streets and other public properties pursuant to RCW 35A.47.040; and
WHEREAS, the City is willing to grant the rights requested by Franchisee for a
telecommunications franchise subject to certain terms and conditions, which are
acceptable to both parties.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA,
WASHINGTON, DO ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Franchise Granted. The City of Tukwila, hereby grants a telecommunications
franchise, attached and incorporated as Exhibit A, to Ezee Fiber. The term of this
Ezee Fiber Franchise Agreement
Version: 03/17/2025
Staff: E. Compton
Page 1 of 3
32
franchise shall be for five (5) years, commencing on the date the last party executes the
franchise.
Section 2. Terms & Conditions. The terms and conditions governing the franchise
specified in Section 1. shall be those set forth on Attachment A to this Ordinance and
incorporated herein by this reference as if set forth in full.
Section 3. Deadline for Acceptance. The rights and privileges granted pursuant to this
Ordinance shall not become effective until its terms and conditions are accepted by Ezee
Fiber Texas, LLC. Such acceptance shall contain any required letter of credit, evidence
of insurance, all applicable fees pursuant to Section 14. of the Franchise, and shall be
filed with the City Clerk within sixty (60) days after the effective date of this Ordinance.
Such instrument shall conform substantially to Attachment B, and evidence the
unconditional acceptance of the terms hereof and a promis- • comply with and abide by
the provisions, terms and conditions hereof.
Section 4. Corrections by City Clerk Authorized son oval of the City attorney,
the City Clerk are authorized to make necessary rections t• ''s ordinance, including
the correction of clerical errors; references to er I I, state br federal laws, codes,
rules, or regulations; or ordinance numbering a n/subsection numbering.
Section 5. Severability. If any sectio
phrase of this ordinance or its application
invalid or unconstitutional by a •urt
unconstitutionality shall not aff
of this Ordinance or is appli
Section 6. Effective
official newspaper o
passage and publ
power specifically de
shall take effect five (
thereof consisting of the ti
aragraph, sentence, clause or
or situation should be held to be
pe -nt jurisdiction, such invalidity or
r constitutionality of the remaining portions
erson or situation.
inance or a summary thereof shall be published in the
all take effect and be in full force five days after
by law. This Ordinance, being an exercise of a
City legislative body, is not subject to referendum, and
er passage and publication of an approved summary
Passed by the City Council of the City of Tukwila, Washington,
thereof this day of , 2025.
Ezee Fiber Franchise Agreement
Version: 03/17/2025
Staff: E. Compton
at a regular meeting
Page 2 of 3
33
ATTEST/AUTHENTICATED:
Andy Youn-Barnett, CMC, City Clerk Thomas McLeod, Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM BY: Filed with the City Clerk:
Passed by the City Council:
Published:
Office of the City Attorney
Effective Date:
Ordinance Number:
Exhibit A: Telecommunication Franchise with Ezee Fib
Ezee Fiber Franchise Agreement
Version: 03/17/2025
Staff: E. Compton
Page 3 of 3
34
ATTACHMENT A
[See attached.]
c
Ezee Fiber Franchise Agreement
Version: 03/17/2025
Staff: E. Compton
35
TELECOMMUNICATIONS FRANCHISE
Between
CITY OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON
and
EZEE FIBER TEXAS, LLC
This Telecommunications Franchise is entered into by and between the City of Tukwila,
Washington a municipal corporation, hereinafter ("the City") and Ezee Fiber Texas, LLC
who is hereinafter known as ("Ezee Fiber" or "Franchisee"). The City and Franchisee are
sometimes referred to hereinafter collectively as the "parties."
Section 1. Franchise Granted.
Section 1.1. Pursuant to RCW 35A.47.040, the ' ereby grants to Ezee Fiber
a non-exclusive franchise (the "Franchise") under erms - conditions contained in
this franchise ordinance (the "Franchise Ordin
Section 1.2. This Franchise grants Franc e the right, privilege, and authority
to construct, operate, maintain, replac 're, lease and use all necessary
Facilities for a telecommunications networ . n. - , on, across, over, through, along or
below the public Rights-of-Wa oc- din - City of Tukwila, as approved pursuant to
City permits issued pursua • t► - e and in accordance with all applicable
federal, state, and loc
(a) "Faci -s" as us in this Franchise means one or more elements of
Franchisee's t- om ► ications network, with all necessary cables, wires,
conduits, ducts, vestals, antennas, electronics, and other necessary
appurtenances; provided that placement by Franchisee of new utility poles is
specifically excluded unless otherwise specifically approved by the City.
Equipment enclosures with air conditioning or other noise generating equipment
are also excluded from "Facilities," to the extent such equipment is located in
zoned residential areas of the City. For the purposes of this Franchise the term
Facilities excludes "microcell" facilities, "minor facilities," "small cell facilities," all as
defined by RCW 80.36.375, and "macrocell" facilities, including towers and new
base stations and other similar facilities (except for fiber optic cables) used for the
provision of "personal wireless services" as defined by RCW 80.36.375.
Ezee Fiber Franchise Agreement Page 1 of 40
36
(b) Public "Rights -of -Way" means land acquired or dedicated to the public or
that is hereafter dedicated to the public and maintained under public authority,
including, but not limited to, public streets or roads, highways, avenues, lanes,
alleys, bridges, sidewalks, utility easements and similar public property located
within the franchise area but does not include: State highways; land dedicated for
road, streets, highways not opened and not improved for motor vehicle use by the
public; structures including poles and conduits located within the right-of-way;
federally granted trust lands or forest board trust lands; lands owned or managed
by the State Parks and Recreation Commission; federally granted railroad rights -
of -way acquired under 43 USC § 912 and related pr
not open for vehicular use; or leasehold or City
holds fee title or other title and which is utilfor pa
or proprietary use (for example, buildi , otl�r Ci
parks, poles, conduits, fixtures, real prope
the City not reserved for transpo
Section 2. Authority Limited to
ions of federal law that are
property to which the City
tility or a governmental
ty-o ed physical facilities,
property rights owned or leased by
f t - Public Rights -of -Way
Section 2.1. The au • nted rsuant to this Franchise is a limited
authorization to occupy and - Rig of -Way throughout the City (the "Franchise
Area"). No right t• a qy 'lity, infrastructure, wires, lines, cables, or other
equipment, on an ty prope other than a Right -of -Way, or upon private property
without the owner's co on any public or privately owned utility poles or conduits
is granted herein. Franchi' -e hereby represents that it expects to provide the following
services within the City: high speed data and fiber optic services, internet protocol -based
services, internet access services, conduit and dark fiber leasing, telephone, data
transport and other telecommunications and information services (the "Services").
Nothing contained herein shall be construed to grant or convey any right, title, or interest
in the Rights -of -Way of the City to the Franchisee other than for the purpose of providing
the Services, nor to subordinate the primary use of the Right -of -Way as a public
thoroughfare. Franchisee may not offer Cable Services as defined in 47 U.S.C. § 522(6)
or personal wireless services, without obtaining a new franchise or an amendment to this
Franchise approved by the City Council.
Ezee Fiber Franchise Agreement Page 2 of 40
37
Section 2.2. Notwithstanding the existence of this Franchise, the installation,
construction, maintenance, use, operation, replacement and removal by Franchisee of
any one or more Franchise Facilities will be subject to all applicable provisions of Title 11
TMC, including, but not limited to, the City's Infrastructure, Design, and Construction
Standards, adopted by the City's Public Works Department of Public Works, the terms
and conditions of City right-of-way use permits issued pursuant to Title 11 TMC, the terms
and conditions of City building permits issued pursuant to Title 16 TMC, and all other
applicable laws, rules and regulations.
Section 2.3. Franchisee shall have the right, without prior City approval, to offer
or provide capacity or bandwidth to its customers consiste► ith this Franchise, provided:
(a) Franchisee at all times retains xclu - ownership over its
telecommunications system, Facilities a ervices anains responsible for
constructing, installing, and maintainin ities pursuant to the terms and
conditions of this Franchise;
(b) Franchisee may not grant rig stomer or lessee that are greater
than any rights Franchis= •urs t to this Franchise, provided that leases or
other commercial arr. ; - - - • th use of the Facilities installed pursuant to
this Franchise m. - to 4eyond the term of the Franchise;
(c) Suc
beneficiary un
ee shall not be construed to be a third -party
chise; and
(d) No such cus er or lessee may use the telecommunications system or
Services for any purpose not authorized by this Franchise, unless such rights are
otherwise granted by the City.
Section 3. Non -Exclusive Franchise.
Section 3.1. This Franchise is granted to the Franchisee upon the express
condition and understanding that it shall be a non-exclusive Franchise which shall not in
any manner prevent or hinder the City from granting to other parties, at other times and
under such terms and conditions as the City, in its sole discretion, may deem appropriate,
other franchises or similar use rights in, on, to, across, over, upon, along, under or through
Ezee Fiber Franchise Agreement Page 3 of 40
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any Public Rights -of -Way. Additionally, this Franchise shall in no way prevent, inhibit or
prohibit the City from using any of the roads, Public Rights -of -Way or other public
properties covered or affected by this Franchise, nor shall this Franchise affect the City's
jurisdiction, authority or power over any of them, in whole or in part. The City expressly
retains its power to make or perform any and all changes, relocations, repairs,
maintenance, establishments, improvements, dedications, or vacations of or to any of the
roads, Public Rights -of -Way or other public properties covered or affected by the
Franchise as the City may, in its sole and absolute discretion, deem fit, including the
dedication, establishment, maintenance and/or improvement of new Public Rights -of -
Way, thoroughfares and other public properties of every tyand description.
Section 4. Term; Early Termination.
Section 4.1. The initial term of the Franc shall be foieriod of five (5) years
(the "Initial Term"), beginning on the Effective e Franchise, and continuing until
the date that is one day prior to the fifth a►' versar he Effective Date (the "Initial Term
Expiration Date"), unless earlier term! .k or modified pursuant to the
provisions of this Franchise.
The Franchise granted by t
anniversary of the Effec
Franchise, for one
Initial Term, the "T
written notice to the oth
nce shall automatically renew on the fifth
the same terms and conditions as set forth in this
) year (the "Renewal Term," and, together with the
either party provides one hundred twenty (120) days
o request an amendment to the Franchise.
Ezee Fiber Franchise Agreement Page 4 of 40
39
Section 5. Location of Facilities.
Section 5.1. Franchisee is maintaining a telecommunications network, consisting
of Facilities within the City. Franchisee may locate its Facilities anywhere within the
Franchise Area consistent with the City's Infrastructure, Design and Construction
standards and the Tukwila Municipal Code and subject to the City's applicable permit
requirements. Franchisee shall not commence any construction or other similar work
within a Public Right -of -Way until (i) a right-of-way use permit authorizing such work has
been issued by the City pursuant to Title 11 TMC for a site -specific location or installation,
including, but not limited to, relocations, and (ii) if required by Title 16 TMC, a building
permit authorizing such work has been issued by the City,
Section 5.2. To the extent that any Rights-ofA gay the Franchise Area are
part of the state highway system ("State Highwa , are consid managed access by
the City and are governed by the provisions C ter 47.24 RCW and applicable
Washington State Department of Transp- ation ( OT) regulations, Franchisee shall
comply fully with said requirements in a• 'tio a rdinances and other applicable
regulations. Franchisee specific
(a) any pavemen
State Highways s
(b) any
restored, repa
exceeds applicabl
toration performed by Franchisee within
r exceed applicable WSDOT requirements;
ghway damaged or injured by Franchisee shall be
replaced by Franchisee to a condition that meets or
OT requirements; and
(c) without prejudice to any right or privilege of the City, WSDOT is authorized
to enforce in an action brought in the name of the State of Washington any
condition of this Franchise with respect to any portion of a State Highway.
Section 6. Relocation of Facilities
Section 6.1. The Franchisee agrees and covenants that, upon reasonable notice,
it will promptly, at its sole cost and expense, protect, support, temporarily disconnect,
relocate, or remove from any Public Right -of -Way any portion of the Franchisee Facilities
when so required by the City due to any of the following reasons: (i) traffic conditions,
Ezee Fiber Franchise Agreement
Page 5 of 40
40
(ii) public safety, (iii) dedications of new rights -of -way and the establishment and/or
improvement thereof, (iv) widening and/or improvement of existing rights -of -way,
(v) right-of-way vacations, (vi) freeway construction, (vii) change or establishment of road
grade, or (viii) the construction of any public improvement or structure by any
governmental agency acting in a governmental capacity; PROVIDED that the Franchisee
shall generally have the privilege to temporarily bypass, in the authorized portion of the
same Public Right -of -Way, upon approval by the Public Works Director, any Franchisee
Facilities required to be temporarily disconnected or removed. The provisions of this
Section 6. apply to all Franchisee Facilities wheresoever situated within any Public Right -
of -Way, regardless of whether the Franchisee Facility at e was originally placed in
such location under the authority of an easement or . - property interest prior to the
property becoming a Public Right -of -Way. For the . 'dance • •ubt, such projects shall
include any Right -of -Way improvement project yen if e project entails, in part, related
work funded and/or performed by or for a third pa . ovided that such work is performed
for the public benefit, and not primarily - - ben f a private entity, and shall not
include, without limitation, any other imp - repairs undertaken by or for the
sole benefit of third party priva n 's. • lectively all such projects described in this
Section 6.1 shall be consid- a • ct". Except as otherwise provided by law,
the costs and expense - - •ci- with relocations or disconnections ordered pursuant
to this Section 6.1 be bo by . nchisee. Nothing contained within this Franchise
shall limit Franchisee •ability t• eek reimbursement for relocation costs when permitted
by RCW 35.99.060.
Section 6.2. Upon the request of the City and in order to facilitate the design of
City improvements to Public Rights -of -Way, Franchisee agrees, at its sole cost and
expense, to locate and, if reasonably determined necessary by the City, to excavate and
expose, at its sole cost and expense, portions of the Franchisee Facilities for inspection
so that the location of the facilities may be taken into account in the Public Project design;
PROVIDED, that Franchisee shall not be required to excavate and expose the Franchisee
Facilities for inspection unless Franchisee's record drawings and maps of the Franchisee
Facilities submitted pursuant to Section 13. of this Franchise are reasonably determined
by the Public Works Director to be inadequate for the City's planning purposes. The
Ezee Fiber Franchise Agreement
Page 6 of 40
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decision to require relocation of any Franchisee Facilities in order to accommodate Public
Projects shall be made by the Public Works Director upon review of the location and
construction of the Franchisee Facilities at issue. Where the City incurs additional costs
in performing any maintenance, operation, or improvement of or to public facilities due to
measures taken by the City to avoid damaging or to otherwise accommodate one or more
Franchisee Facilities, Franchisee shall reimburse the City for the full amount of such
additional costs promptly upon receiving the City's invoice for same.
Section 6.3. Any condition or requirement imposed by the City upon any person
or entity (including, without limitation, any condition or requirement imposed pursuant to
any contract or in conjunction with approvals for permits f ning, land use, construction
or development) which reasonably necessitates t r ation of any Franchisee
Facilities shall constitute a required relocation for ' poses of Section 6.
Section 6.4. If the City determines t' . t - 'ublic Project necessitates the
relocation of Franchisee's Facilities, th .t shal .vide Franchisee in writing with a
date by which the relocation shall be co • - - elocation Date") consistent with
RCW 35.99.060(2). In calcul- ' he •cation Date, the City shall consult with
Franchisee and consider the - ent o : cilitie o be relocated, the services requirements,
and the construction segue •r t e -location, within the City's overall project
construction sequen • - n. st . 'ts, to safely complete the relocation, and the City
shall endeavor to p • e Franc .ee at least sixty (60) days' notice prior to the Relocation
Date. Franchisee sha gym. the relocation by the Relocation Date, unless the City
or a reviewing court esta• shes a later date for completion, as described in RCW
35.99.060(2). To provide guidance on this notice process, the City will make reasonable
efforts to involve Franchisee in the predesign and design phases of any Public Project.
After receipt of the written notice containing the Relocation Date, Franchisee shall
relocate such facilities to accommodate the Public Project consistent with the timeline
provided by the City and at no charge or expense to the City. Such timeline may be
extended by a mutual agreement.
Section 6.5. If Franchisee fails to complete this work within the time prescribed
above and to the City's satisfaction, the City may cause such work to be done and bill the
Ezee Fiber Franchise Agreement Page 7 of 40
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cost of the work to Franchisee, including all costs and expenses incurred by the City due
to Franchisee's delay. In such event, the City shall not be liable for any damage to any
portion of Franchisee's Facilities. Within thirty (30) days of receipt of an itemized list of
those costs, Franchisee shall pay the City. In any event, if Franchisee fails to timely
relocate, remove, replace, modify or disconnect Franchisee's facilities and equipment,
and that delay results in any delay damage accrued by or against the City, Franchisee
will be liable for all documented costs of construction delays attributable to Franchisee's
failure to timely act. Franchisee reserves the right to challenge any determination by the
City of costs for construction delays related to an alleged failure to act in accordance with
this Section 6.5
Section 6.6. Franchisee will indemnify, defen• o • .rmless, and pay the costs
of defending the City, in accordance with the pro ' ns of Se 19. against any and
all claims, suits, actions, damages, or liabiliti or d s on City construction projects
caused by or arising out of the failure of Franchis remove or relocate its Facilities in
a timely manner; provided, that Franchi of esponsible for damages due to
delays caused by circumstances • - and - on of Franchisee or the negligence,
willful misconduct, or unreaso► • - • .y o e City or any unrelated third party.
Section 6.7. In the ev
welfare, or in the ev
in severe financia
Franchisee's Facilities,
specified by the City.
rgency posing a threat to public safety or
cy beyond the control of the City which will result
s to the City, which necessitates the relocation of
ee shall relocate its Facilities within the time period
Section 6.8. The provisions
of this Section 6.
shall in no manner preclude or
restrict Franchisee from making any arrangements it may deem appropriate when
responding to a request for relocation of its Facilities by any person or entity other than
the City, where the facilities to be constructed by said person or entity are not or will not
become City -owned, operated, or maintained facilities, provided that such arrangements
do not unduly delay a City construction project.
Section 6.9. Whenever any person shall have obtained permission from the City
to use any Right -of -Way for the purpose of moving any building, Franchisee, upon thirty
Ezee Fiber Franchise Agreement Page 8 of 40
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(30) days' written notice from the City, shall raise, remove, or relocate to another part of
the Right -of -Way, at the expense of the person desiring to move the building, any of
Franchisee's Facilities that may obstruct the removal of such building.
Section 6.10. The provisions of this Section 6. shall survive the expiration,
revocation, abandonment or termination of this Franchise during such time as Franchisee
continues to have Facilities in the Rights -of -Way.
Section 7. Undergrounding of Facilities.
Section 7.1. Except as specifically authorized by permit of the City, Franchisee
shall not be permitted to erect poles. All Facilities sh
Franchisee acknowledges and agrees that if the City do
of its Facilities at the time of permit application, th- ity m
require the conversion of Franchisee's aeria
Franchisee's expense; provided that the City r
electrical utilities, with aerial facilities in
installation at the same time. Unless of
underground its Facilities in
development or subdivision
underground.
Section 7.2
utilities (other than el
of the City, Franchisee s
e installed underground.
require the undergrounding
a -t any time in the future,
round installation at
all other wireline utilities, except
a to c. ert such facilities to underground
'tted by the City, Franchisee shall
elopments and subdivisions, and any
ther than electrical utilities, are currently
y may require the undergrounding of the aerial
es and personal wireless services facilities) in any area
nderground its aerial facilities in the manner specified by
the City, concurrently with and in the area of the other affected utilities. The location of
any such relocated and underground utilities shall be approved by the City. Where other
utilities are present and involved in the undergrounding project, Franchisee shall only be
required to pay its fair share of common costs borne by all utilities, in addition to the costs
specifically attributable to the undergrounding of Franchisee's own Facilities. "Common
costs" shall include necessary costs not specifically attributable to the undergrounding of
any particular facility, such as costs for common trenching and utility vaults. "Fair share"
shall be determined for a project on the basis of the number and size of Franchisee's
Ezee Fiber Franchise Agreement Page 9 of 40
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Facilities being undergrounded in comparison to the total number and size of all other
utility facilities being undergrounded.
Section 7.3. To the extent Franchisee is providing Services to personal wireless
services facilities, Franchisee shall adhere to the design standards for such personal
wireless services facilities, and shall underground its Facilities and/or place its Facilities
within the pole as may be required by such design standards. For the purposes of clarity,
this Section 7.3 does not require undergrounding or interior placement of Facilities within
the pole to the extent that the personal wireless services facilities are located on utility
poles that have pre-existing aerial wireline facilities and provided such construction of
Franchisee's Facilities continue to comply with Section 7. Section 7.2.
Section 7.4. Franchisee shall not remove a nde and cable or conduit that
requires trenching or other opening of the Right -Wa along extension of cable to
be removed, except as provided in this Se . Franchisee may remove any
underground cable and other related f
installed in such a manner that it can be
the Right -of -Way along the exte
the City. Franchisee may re
reasonably necessary to rep
Section 6. When
underground Facili
condition, Franchisee
expense. Franchisee mus
'Ries fr. the Right -of -Way that has been
ut trenching or other opening of
o be removed, or if otherwise permitted by
and cable from the Rights -of -Way where
, or enhance its Facilities, or pursuant to
in the City's sole discretion, that Franchisee's
emoved in order to eliminate or prevent a hazardous
ve the cable or conduit at Franchisee's sole cost and
pply and receive a permit, pursuant to Section 9. , prior to
any such removal of underground cable, conduit and other related facilities from the
Right -of -Way and must provide as -built plans and maps pursuant to Section 13.1.
Section 7.5. Both the City and Franchisee shall be entitled to reasonable access
to open utility trenches, provided that such access does not interfere with the other party's
placement of utilities or increase such party's actual costs. Franchisee shall pay to the
City the actual cost to the City resulting from providing Franchisee access to an open
trench, including without limitation the pro rata share of the costs to access the open
trench and any costs associated with the delay of the completion of a public works project.
Ezee Fiber Franchise Agreement Page 10 of 40
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The City shall pay to the Franchisee the incremental costs of providing such access to
the open trench.
Section 7.6. The provisions of this Section 7. shall survive the expiration,
revocation, abandonment or termination of this Franchise. Nothing in this Section 7. shall
be construed as requiring the City to pay any costs of undergrounding any of the
Franchisee's Facilities.
Section 8. Emergency Work/Dangerous Conditions.
Section 8.1. In the event of any emergency in which any of Franchisee's Facilities
located in or under any street endangers the property, life, Ith or safety of any person,
or if Franchisee's construction area is otherwise in s ' condition as to immediately
endanger the property, life, health or safety
immediately take the proper emergency me
remedy the dangerous conditions for the prote
individuals without first applying for and
However, this shall not relieve Franchise
necessary for this purpose, a
the next succeeding day dur
retains the right and pri
Way of the City, in r
Section 8.2.
within the Rights -of -Way
'dual, Franchisee shall
repair i Facilities, to cure or
property, life, health or safety of
it as required by this Franchise.
uirement of obtaining any permits
all apply for all such permits not later than
ila City Hall is open for business. The City
or move any Facilities located within the Rights-of-
lic health or safety emergency.
all not be liable for any damage to or loss of Facilities
result of or in connection with any public works, public
improvements, construction, grading, excavation, filling, or work of any kind in the Rights -
of -Way by or on behalf of the City, except to the extent directly and proximately caused
by sole negligence, intentional misconduct or criminal actions of the City, its employees,
contractors, or agents. The City shall further not be liable to Franchisee for any direct,
indirect, or any other such damages suffered by any person or entity of any type as a
direct or indirect result of the City's actions under this Section 8. except to the extent
caused by the sole negligence, intentional misconduct or criminal actions of the City, its
employees, contractors, or agents.
Ezee Fiber Franchise Agreement Page 11 of 40
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Section 8.3. Whenever the construction, installation or excavation of Facilities
conducted by Franchisee as authorized by this Franchise has caused or materially
contributed to a condition that appears to substantially impair the lateral support of the
adjoining street or public place, or endangers the public, an adjoining public place, street
utilities or City property, the Public Works Director may direct Franchisee, at Franchisee's
own expense, to take reasonable action to protect the public, adjacent public places, City
property or street utilities, and such action may include compliance within a prescribed
time. In the event that Franchisee fails or refuses to promptly take the actions directed
by the City, or fails to fully comply with such directions, or if emergency conditions exist
which require immediate action, before the City can timely ' tact Franchisee to request
Franchisee effect the immediate repair, the City may
such reasonable actions as are necessary to prot: t
street utilities, or to maintain the lateral suppo
as necessary safety precautions, and Franchise. . I
thereof.
Section 9. Work in the Ri • hts-o
he pub
pon the property and take
the adjacent streets, or
r reaso able actions regarded
be liable to the City for the costs
Section 9.1. During peri' of ri cation, construction or maintenance, all
work performed by Franchise. s co actors shall be accomplished in a safe and
workmanlike manner . o m _ 'nterference with the free passage of traffic and the
free use of adjoinin • operty, -ther public or private. Franchisee shall at all times post
and maintain proper b. ca• ., flags, flaggers, lights, flares and other measures as
required for the safety of a embers of the general public and comply with all applicable
safety regulations during such period of construction as required by the ordinances of the
City or the laws of the State of Washington, including RCW 39.04.180 for the construction
of trench safety systems.
Section 9.2. Whenever Franchisee shall commence work in any Rights -of -Way
for the purpose of excavation, installation, construction, repair, maintenance, or relocation
of its cable or equipment, it shall apply to the City for a permit to do so and, in addition,
shall give the City at least ten (10) working days prior notice (except in the case of an
emergency) of its intent to commence work in the Rights -of -Way. The City shall only
Ezee Fiber Franchise Agreement Page 12 of 40
47
issue permits that are in compliance with the TMC and the City's generally applicable
design standards. During the progress of the work, the Franchisee shall not
unnecessarily obstruct the passage or proper use of the Rights -of -Way, and all work by
the Franchisee in the area shall be performed in accordance with applicable City
standards and specifications. In no case shall any work commence within any Rights -of -
Way without a permit, except as otherwise provided in this Franchise.
Section 9.3. If the Franchisee shall at any time plan to make excavations in any
area covered by this Franchise and as described in this Section 9.3, the Franchisee shall
afford the other, upon receipt of a written request to do so, an opportunity to share such
excavation, PROVIDED THAT:
(a) Such joint use shall not unreasonably uelay . - work of the Franchisee
causing the excavation to be made;
(b) Such joint use shall be arranged an. ,omplished on terms and conditions
satisfactory to both parties; and
(c) Franchisee may den such ru' .t foi .. afety reasons.
Section 9.4. Except f' eme ency luations, Franchisee shall give at least
seven (7) days' prior notice o - - - • • uction to residents in the affected area prior
to any underground on disturbance. Such notice shall contain the dates,
contact number, n e and to tion of the work to be performed. At least twenty-four
(24) hours prior to ente, q pri e property or streets or public easements adjacent to or
on such private property, ranchisee shall physically post a notice on the property
indicating the nature and location of the work to be performed. Door hangers are
permissible methods of notifications to residents. Franchisee shall make a good faith
effort to comply with the property owner/resident's preferences, if any, on location or
placement of underground installations (excluding aerial cable lines utilizing existing poles
and existing cable paths), consistent with sound engineering practices. Following
performance of the work, Franchisee shall restore the private property as nearly as
possible to its condition prior to construction, except for any change in condition not
caused by Franchisee. Any disturbance of landscaping, fencing, or other improvements
on private property caused by Franchisee's work shall, at the sole expense of Franchisee,
Ezee Fiber Franchise Agreement
Page 13 of 40
48
be promptly repaired and restored to the reasonable satisfaction of the property
owner/resident. Notwithstanding the above, nothing herein shall give Franchisee the right
to enter onto private property without the permission of such private property owner, or
as otherwise authorized by applicable law.
Section 9.5. Upon receipt of a permit (except in emergency situations),
Franchisee may trim trees upon and overhanging on public ways, streets, alleys,
sidewalks, and other public places of the City so as to prevent the branches of such trees
from coming in contact with Franchisee's Facilities. The right to trim trees in this Section
9.5 shall only apply to the extent necessary to protect above ground Facilities.
Franchisee's tree trimming activities shall protect the app nce, integrity, and health of
the trees to the extent reasonably possible. Franchis `le responsible for all debris
removal from such activities. All trimming sh e at the 'Tense of Franchisee.
Franchisee may contract for such services, h vet .ny firm or individual so retained
must first receive City approval prior to comme g such trimming. Nothing herein
grants Franchisee any authority to act • e of City, to enter upon any private
property, or to trim any tree or nat .I gro , •t o ed by the City except to the extent
it is necessary that Franc s tr: s or vegetation upon, overhanging, or
encroaching on public ways, - . - idewalks, and other public places of the City
so as to prevent suc► - _ -tio om coming in contact with Franchisee's Facilities.
Franchisee shall nsie and liable for any damage to any third parties'
trees or natural gro aus- •y Franchisee's actions. Franchisee shall indemnify,
defend and hold harmless City from third -party claims of any nature arising out of any
act or negligence of Franchisee with regard to tree and/or natural growth trimming,
damage, and/or removal. Franchisee shall reasonably compensate the City or the
property owner for any damage caused by trimming, damage, or removal by Franchisee.
Except in an emergency situation, all tree trimming must be performed under the direction
of an arborist certified by the International Society of Arboriculture, unless otherwise
approved by the Public Works Director or designee.
Section 9.6. Franchisee shall meet with the City and other franchise holders and
users of the Rights -of -Way upon written notice as determined by the City, to schedule
and coordinate construction in the Rights -of -Way. All construction locations, activities,
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49
and schedules shall be coordinated, as ordered by the City to minimize public
inconvenience, disruption or damages.
Section 9.7. Franchisee shall inform the City with at least thirty (30) days' advance
written notice that it is constructing, relocating, or placing ducts or conduits in the Rights -
of -Way and provide the City with an opportunity to request that Franchisee provide the
City with additional duct or conduit and related structures necessary to access the conduit
pursuant to RCW 35.99.070.
Section 9.8. Prior to doing any work in the Rights -of -Way, the Franchisee shall
follow established procedures, including contacting the ility Notification Center in
Washington and comply with all applicable State statute •arding the One Call Locator
Service pursuant to Chapter 19.122 RCW. Further, • .n re• t from a third party or the
City, Franchisee shall locate its Facilities cons ' t with the irements of Chapter
19.122 RCW. The City shall not be liable for . d. .ges to Franchisee's Facilities or
for interruptions in service to Franck' -e's
Franchisee's failure to locate its Facilities
established by the One Call Lo
permit.
Section 9.9. The
revocation, abando
Section 10. Restor
ers that are a direct result of
cribed time limits and guidelines
regardless of whether the City issued a
of this Section 9. shall survive the expiration,
n of this Franchise.
Section 10.1. Franc . -e shall, after installation, construction, relocation,
maintenance, or repair of its Facilities, or after abandonment approved pursuant to
Section 22. , promptly remove any obstructions from the Rights -of -Way and restore the
surface of the Rights -of -Way to at least the same condition the Rights -of -Way were in
immediately prior to any such installation, construction, relocation, maintenance or repair,
provided Franchisee shall not be responsible for any changes to the Rights -of -Way not
caused by Franchisee. The Public Works Director or designee shall have final approval
of the condition of such Rights -of -Way after restoration. All concrete encased survey
monuments that have been disturbed or displaced by such work shall be restored
pursuant to federal, state (such as Chapter 332-120 WAC), and local standards and
Ezee Fiber Franchise Agreement Page 15 of 40
50
specifications.
Section 10.2. Franchisee agrees to promptly complete all restoration work and to
promptly repair any damage caused by work to the Franchise Area or other affected area
at its sole cost and expense and according to the time and terms specified in the
construction permit issued by the City. All work by Franchisee pursuant to this Franchise
shall be performed in accordance with applicable City standards.
Section 10.3. If conditions (e.g. weather) make the complete restoration required
under Section 10. impracticable, Franchisee shall temporarily restore the affected Right -
of -Way or property. Such temporary restoration shall be a ranchisee's sole cost and
expense. Franchisee shall promptly undertake and co- ete the required permanent
restoration when conditions no longer make such pe,
ne -storation impracticable.
Section 10.4. In the event Franchisee s n t repair Right -of -Way or an
improvement in or to a Right -of -Way within the asonably directed to by the Public
Works Director, or his/her designee, t ma pair the damage and shall be
reimbursed its actual cost within sixty (60 - itting an invoice to Franchisee in
accordance with the provision- -ctio 4.3 and Section 14.4. In addition, and
pursuant to Section 14.3 a Sect'' - 4 e City may bill Franchisee for expenses
associated with the ins• - on 4.uch restoration work. The failure by Franchisee to
complete such repered a breach of this Franchise and is subject to
remedies by the Cit luding t • imposition of damages consistent with Section 24. .
Section 10.5. The
sions of this Section 10. shall survive the expiration,
revocation, abandonment, or termination of this Franchise.
Section 11. Safety Requirements.
Section 11.1. Franchisee shall, at all times, employ professional care and shall
install and maintain and use industry -standard methods for preventing failures and
accidents that are likely to cause damage, injuries, or nuisances to the public. All
structures and all lines, equipment, and connections in, over, under, and upon the Rights -
of -Ways, wherever situated or located, shall at all times be kept and maintained in a safe
condition. Franchisee shall comply with all federal, State, and City safety requirements,
Ezee Fiber Franchise Agreement Page 16 of 40
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rules, regulations, laws, and practices, and employ all necessary devices as required by
applicable law during the construction, operation, maintenance, upgrade, repair, or
removal of its Facilities. By way of illustration and not limitation, Franchisee shall also
comply with the applicable provisions of the National Electric Code, National Electrical
Safety Code, FCC regulations, and Occupational Safety and Health Administration
(OSHA) Standards. Upon reasonable notice to Franchisee, the City reserves the general
right to inspect the Facilities to evaluate if they are constructed and maintained in a safe
condition.
Section 11.2. If an unsafe condition or a violation of Section 11.1 is found to exist,
and becomes known to the City, the City agrees to give F hisee written notice of such
condition and afford Franchisee a reasonable op u to repair the same. If
Franchisee fails to start to make the necessary airs and ations within the time
frame specified in such notice (and pursue s cur completion), then the City may
make such repairs or contract for them to be ma All costs, including administrative
costs, incurred by the City in repairing an on ns shall be borne by Franchisee
and reimbursed to the City pursua• o Se • 4. : nd Section 14.4.
Section 11.3. Additioninclude:
(a) Franchise- •all : eavor to maintain all equipment lines and facilities in
an orderly er, i din. •ut not limited to, the removal of all bundles of
unused cable anv ae I facilities.
(b) All installatiequipment, lines, and ancillary facilities shall be installed
in accordance with industry -standard engineering practices and shall comply with
all federal, State, and local regulations, ordinances, and laws.
(c) Any opening or obstruction in the Rights -of -Way or other public places
made by Franchisee in the course of its operations shall be protected by
Franchisee at all times by the placement of adequate barriers, fences, or boarding,
the bounds of which, during periods of dusk and darkness, shall be clearly marked
and visible.
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Section 11.4. Stop Work Order. On notice from the City that any work is being
performed contrary to the provisions of this Franchise, or in an unsafe or dangerous
manner as determined by the City, or in violation of the terms of any applicable permit,
laws, regulations, ordinances, or standards, the work may immediately be stopped by the
City. The stop work order shall:
Be in writing;
Be given to the person doing the work or posted on the work site;
Be sent to Franchisee by overnight delivery;
Indicate the nature of the alleged violation osafe condition; and
Establish conditions, consistent with
ordinances or generally applicable standa
!cable laws, regulations,
under whiork may be resumed.
Section 12. Work of Contractors and Subco • - . rs.
Section 12.1. Franchisee's contr
bonded in accordance with State law
requirements. Work by co
restrictions, limitations, and
Franchisee shall b
subcontractors an
Franchisee and sha
Franchise and applicabl
d s • ntractors shall be licensed and
s ordinances, regulations, and
ubcontractors are subject to the same
e work were performed by Franchisee.
work performed by its contractors and
ork on its behalf as if the work were performed by
t all such work is performed in compliance with this
Section 13. Maps and Records.
Section 13.1. The Franchisee agrees and covenants that it shall, within 10 days of
substantial completion of any construction project involving a Public Right -of -Way,
provide to the City, at no cost to the City, accurate copies of as -built plans and maps
stamped and signed by a professional land surveyor or engineer in a form and content
acceptable to the Public Works Director or designee.
Section 13.2. Within thirty (30) days of a written request from the Public Works
Director, the Franchisee shall furnish the City with information sufficient to demonstrate:
Ezee Fiber Franchise Agreement Page 18 of 40
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(1) that the Franchisee has complied with all applicable requirements of this Franchise;
and (2) that all taxes, including but not limited to sales, utility and/or telecommunications
taxes, due the City in connection with the Franchisee's services and Facilities provided
by the Franchisee have been properly collected and paid by the Franchisee.
Section 13.3. Books, records, maps, and other documents maintained by
Franchisee with respect to its Facilities within the Rights -of -Way and which are
reasonably necessary to demonstrate compliance with the terms of this Franchise, shall,
after reasonable prior notice from the City, be made available for inspection by the City
at reasonable times and intervals but no more than one time each calendar year or upon
the City's reasonable belief that there has been a tion of this Franchise by
Franchisee; provided, however, that nothing in this ti. 3.3 shall be construed to
require Franchisee to violate state or federal law garding c mer privacy, nor shall
this Section 13.3 be construed to require Franc e t close proprietary or confidential
information without adequate safeguards for its c ential or proprietary nature. Unless
otherwise permitted or required by State -1 la othing in this Section 13.3 shall
be construed as permission to wit ■ .Id rel : cus w !Tier data from the City that the City
requests in conjunction with . :x a it or iew; provided, however, Franchisee may
redact identifying informatio cr ., street addresses (excluding City and zip
code), Social Securi -r 'r Employer Identification Numbers related to any
confidentiality agr_ ents Fra ise- has with third parties.
Section 13.4. Fr. is= shall not be required to disclose information that it
reasonably deems to be •roprietary or confidential in nature; provided, however,
Franchisee shall disclose such information to comply with a utility tax audit, or in the event
the City is permitted to charge franchise fees as further described in Section 15.1, or as
otherwise required in this Franchise. Franchisee shall be responsible for clearly and
conspicuously identifying the work as confidential, trade secret, or proprietary, and shall
provide a brief written explanation as to why such information is confidential and how it
may be treated as such under State or federal law. In the event that the City receives a
public records request under Chapter 42.56 RCW or similar law for the disclosure of
information Franchisee has designated as confidential, trade secret, or proprietary, the
City shall promptly provide written notice of such disclosure so that Franchisee may take
Ezee Fiber Franchise Agreement Page 19 of 40
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appropriate steps to protect its interests. Nothing in this Section 13.4 prohibits the City
from complying with Chapter 42.56 RCW or any other applicable law or court order
requiring the release of public records, and the City shall not be liable to Franchisee for
compliance with any law or court order requiring the release of public records. The City
shall comply with any injunction or court order obtained by Franchisee that prohibits the
disclosure of any such confidential records; however, in the event a higher court overturns
such injunction or court order and such higher court action is or has become final and
non -appealable, Franchisee shall reimburse the City for any fines or penalties imposed
for failure to disclose such records as required hereunder within sixty (60) days of a
request from the City.
Section 13.5. On an annual basis, upon thirty
shall have the right to conduct an independent a
related to the administration or enforcement o
taxes, in accordance with GAAP. If the audit
underpaid by three percent (3%) or more
Section 14. Costs and Fees.
Section 14.1. Franchi
expenses incurred by th- t
Franchise pursuant
costs incurred in d
construction permits sh
rior written notice, the City
of Franch -'s records reasonably
hise and the collection of utility
ws that tax payments have been
II pay the total cost of the audit.
e-time fee for the actual administrative
re directly related to the receiving and approving this
including the costs associated with the City's legal
rocessing this Franchise, not to exceed $5,000. No
ued for the installation of Facilities authorized until such
time as the City has received payment of this fee; further, this Franchise shall be
considered void if the fee is not paid within ninety (90) days of receipt of the invoice.
Franchisee shall further be subject to all permit fees associated with activities undertaken
through the authority granted in this Franchise or under the laws of the City. Where the
City incurs costs and expenses for review, inspection, or supervision of activities,
including but not limited to reasonable fees associated with attorneys, consultants, City
Staff and City Attorney time, undertaken through the authority granted in this Franchise
or any ordinances relating to the subject for which a permit fee is not established,
Ezee Fiber Franchise Agreement Page 20 of 40
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Franchisee shall pay such costs and expenses directly to the City in accordance with the
provisions of Section 14.3.
Section 14.2. In addition to Section 14.1, Franchisee shall promptly reimburse the
City in accordance with the provisions of Section 14.3 and Section 14.4 for any and all
costs the City reasonably incurs in response to any emergency situation involving
Franchisee's Facilities, to the extent said emergency is not the fault of the City.
Section 14.3. Consistent with state law, Franchisee shall reimburse the City within
sixty (60) days of submittal by the City of an itemized billing for reasonably incurred costs,
itemized by project, for Franchisee's proportionate share of ail actual, identified expenses
incurred by the City in planning, constructing, installing, r airing, altering, or maintaining
any City facility as the result of the presence of Fr iset. Facilities in the Right -of -
Way. Such costs and expenses shall inclu ut not be . sited to Franchisee's
proportionate cost of City personnel assigned v ee or engage in any work in the
Right -of -Way as the result of the presen - .f Fran ee's Facilities in the Right -of -Way.
Such costs and expenses shall also incluproportionate share of any time
spent reviewing construction p n o to either accomplish the relocation of
Franchisee's Facilities or the g of any utilities so as not to interfere with
Franchisee's Facilities.
Section 14.4
of salary, including
other costs will be bille
ployees shall be charged at their respective rate
plicable, plus benefits and reasonable overhead. Any
rtionately on an actual cost basis. All billings will be
itemized so as to specifical y identify the costs and expenses for each project for which
the City claims reimbursement. A charge for the actual costs incurred in preparing the
billing may also be included in said billing. Billing will be made on a monthly basis.
Section 15. City's Reservation of Rights
Section 15.1. Franchisee hereby represents that its operations as authorized
under this Franchise are those of a telephone business as defined in RCW 82.16.010, or
service provider as defined in RCW 35.21.860. As a result, the City will not impose a
Franchise fee under the terms of this Franchise, other than as described herein. The City
hereby reserves its right to impose a Franchise fee on Franchisee if Franchisee's
Ezee Fiber Franchise Agreement Page 21 of 40
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operations as authorized by this Franchise change such that the statutory prohibitions of
RCW 35.21.860 no longer apply or, if statutory prohibitions on the imposition of such fees
are removed. In either instance, the City also reserves its right to require that Franchisee
obtain a separate Franchise for its change in use. Nothing contained herein shall
preclude Franchisee from challenging any such new fee or separate agreement under
applicable federal, State, or local laws.
Section 15.2. Franchisee acknowledges that its operation with the City
constitutes a telecommunications business subject to the utility tax imposed pursuant to
the TMC Chapter 3.50. Franchisee stipulates and agrees that certain of its business
activities are subject to taxation as a telephone busines d that Franchisee shall pay
to the City the rate applicable to such taxable servi
TMC Chapter 3.50, and
consistent with state and federal law. The parti- agree hove 'er, that nothing in this
Franchise shall limit the City's power of taxati• -s m, exist now or as later imposed by
the City. This provision does not limit the City's • er to amend TMC Chapter 3.50 as
may be permitted by law. Nothing in thi .ntended to alter, amend, modify
or Y expand the taxes and fees that ■■ . be `n` . a essed on Franchisee's Services.
p Y
Section 16. Police Powers d Ci • rdi ces.
Section 16.1. N
City's ability to ado
the performance of
including, but not limite
Franchise Ordinance shall be deemed to restrict the
ecessary and appropriate ordinances regulating
of the Franchise granted by this Franchise Ordinance,
valid ordinance made in the exercise of the City's police
powers in the interest of public safety and for the welfare of the public. The City shall
have the authority at all times to control by appropriate regulations, including design
standards and utility accommodation policies, the location, elevation, manner of
construction, and maintenance of any Franchisee Facilities located within any Public
Right -of -Way or affecting any Public Right -of -Way, and the Franchisee shall promptly
conform with all such regulations, unless compliance would cause the Franchisee to
violate other requirements of law. In the event of a conflict between the regulatory
provisions of this Franchise Ordinance and any other ordinance(s) enacted under the
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City's police power authority, such other ordinance(s) shall take precedence over the
regulatory provisions set forth herein.
Section 17. Limitation of City's Liability.
Section 17.1. Administration by the City of the Franchise granted by this Franchise
Ordinance shall not be construed to create the basis for any liability to any third party on
the part of the City, its elected and appointed officials, officers, employees, and agents
for any injury or damage from the failure of the Franchisee to comply with the provisions
of this Franchise Ordinance; by reason of any plan, schedule or specification review,
inspection, notice and order, permission, or other approval o onsent by the City; for any
action or inaction thereof authorized or done in conne with the implementation or
enforcement of the Franchise by the City; or for th
City.
Section 18. Compliance with All Applicable
curof plans submitted to the
Section 18.1. Each party agrees t ' . with present and future federal, state
and local laws, ordinances, rules and reg ' . her the City nor Franchisee waive
any rights they may have und- .ny ch s, rules or regulations. This Franchise is
subject to ordinances of gen ap► - acted pursuant to the City's police powers.
Franchisee further agr- e e all liens and encumbrances arising as a result of
said use or work. ' . nchisee all, . its own expense, maintain its Facilities in a safe
condition, in good re• and i : manner reasonably suitable to the City. Additionally,
Franchisee shall keep its ities free of debris and anything of a dangerous, noxious
or offensive nature or which would create a hazard or undue vibration, heat, noise or any
interference with City services. City reserves the right at any time to amend this Franchise
to conform to any hereafter enacted, amended, or adopted federal or state statute or
regulation relating to the public health, safety, and welfare, or relating to roadway
regulation, or a City ordinance enacted pursuant to such federal or state statute or
regulation when such statute, regulation, or ordinance necessitates this Franchise be
amended in order to remain in compliance with applicable laws, but only upon providing
Franchisee with thirty (30) days written notice of its action setting forth the full text of the
amendment and identifying the statute, regulation, or ordinance requiring the amendment.
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Said amendment shall become automatically effective upon expiration of the notice period
unless, before expiration of that period, Franchisee makes a written request for
negotiations over the terms of the amendment. If the parties do not reach agreement as
to the terms of the amendment within thirty (30) days of the call for negotiations, either
party may pursue any available remedies at law or in equity.
Section 19. Indemnification
Section 19.1. Franchisee releases, covenants not to bring suit, and agrees to
indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the City, its officers, agents, employees, volunteers,
elected and appointed officials, and contractors from any an• -11 claims, costs, judgments,
awards, or liability to any person, for injury or death of a erson, or damage to property
caused by or arising out of any acts or omissions • ranee, its agents, servants,
officers, or employees in the performance of this '-nchise an.. rights granted within
this Franchise.
Section 19.2. Inspection or acc:. • e by City of any work performed by
Franchisee at the time of completion of c hall not be grounds for avoidance
by Franchisee of any of its obl'' un. this Section 19. . These indemnification
obligations shall extend to c - o, educed to a suit and any claims that may
be compromised, with F - ' hi prior written consent, prior to the culmination of any
litigation or the insti •n of a liti• •n.
Section 19.3. - City all promptly notify Franchisee of any claim or suit and
request in writing that Fra .ee indemnify the City. Franchisee may choose counsel to
defend the City subject to this Section 19.3. City's failure to so notify and request
indemnification shall not relieve Franchisee of any liability that Franchisee might have,
except to the extent that such failure prejudices Franchisee's ability to defend such claim
or suit. In the event that Franchisee refuses the tender of defense in any suit or any claim,
as required pursuant to the indemnification provisions within this Franchise, and said
refusal is subsequently determined by a court having jurisdiction (or such other tribunal
that the parties shall agree to decide the matter), to have been a wrongful refusal on the
part of Franchisee, Franchisee shall pay all of the City's reasonable costs for defense of
the action, including all expert witness fees, costs, and attorney's fees, and including
Ezee Fiber Franchise Agreement Page 24 of 40
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costs and fees incurred in recovering under this indemnification provision. If separate
representation to fully protect the interests of both parties is necessary, such as a conflict
of interest between the City and the counsel selected by Franchisee to represent the City,
then upon the prior written approval and consent of Franchisee, which shall not be
unreasonably withheld, the City shall have the right to employ separate counsel in any
action or proceeding and to participate in the investigation and defense thereof, and
Franchisee shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such separate counsel, except
that Franchisee shall not be required to pay the fees and expenses of separate counsel
on behalf of the City for the City to bring or pursue any counterclaims or interpleader
action, equitable relief, restraining order or injunction. The 's fees and expenses shall
include all out-of-pocket expenses, such as consultants pert witness fees, and shall
also include the reasonable value of any services ndered he counsel retained by
the City but shall not include outside attorney ' -es f• services at are unnecessarily
duplicative of services provided the City by Fran
and to cause its employees and agents
of any such claim and the relevant recor
party with respect to any such
Each party agrees to cooperate
'th the other party in the defense
rty shall be available to the other
Section 19.4. The pa _ •e that this Franchise may be subject to
RCW 4.24.115. Acc• in - event of liability for damages arising out of bodily
injury to persons damages property caused by or resulting from the concurrent
negligence of Franchi - and - City, its officers, officials, employees, and volunteers,
Franchisee's liability shal only to the extent of Franchisee's negligence. It is further
specifically and expressly understood that the indemnification provided constitutes
Franchisee's waiver of immunity under Title 51 RCW, solely for the purposes of this
indemnification. This waiver has been mutually negotiated by the parties.
Section 19.5. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Section 19. ,
Franchisee assumes the risk of damage to its Facilities located in the Rights -of -Way and
upon City -owned property from activities conducted by the City, its officers, agents,
employees, volunteers, elected and appointed officials, and contractors, except to the
extent any such damage or destruction is caused by or arises from any sole negligence,
intentional misconduct or criminal actions on the part of the City, its officers, agents,
Ezee Fiber Franchise Agreement Page 25 of 40
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employees, volunteers, or elected or appointed officials, or contractors. In no event shall
the City be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, exemplary, or punitive
damages, including by way of example and not limitation lost profits, lost revenue, loss of
goodwill, or loss of business opportunity in connection with its performance or failure to
perform under this Franchise. Franchisee releases and waives any and all such claims
against the City, its officers, agents, employees, volunteers, or elected or appointed
officials, or contractors. Franchisee further agrees to indemnify, hold harmless and
defend the City against any claims for damages, including, but not limited to, business
interruption damages, lost profits and consequential damages, brought by or under users
of Franchisee's Facilities as the result of any interruption service due to damage or
destruction of Franchisee's Facilities caused by or ari ' • t of activities conducted by
the City, its officers, agents, employees or contr rs exc- to the extent any such
damage or destruction is caused by or arise om sole n - • ligence or intentional
misconduct, or criminal actions on the part of t y, its officers, agents, employees,
volunteers, or elected or appointed offic ontr rs.
Section 19.6. The provisio of thi F`' tion 9. shall survive the expiration,
revocation, termination, or ab. .on t of , 's Franchise.
Section 20. Insurance.
Section 20.1 . nchis. sh. procure and maintain for the duration of the
Franchise and as to -s Franc .ee has Facilities in the rights -of -way, insurance against
claims for injuries to per • amage to property which may arise from or in connection
with the Franchise and use of the rights -of -way.
(a) No Limitation. Franchisee's maintenance of insurance as required
by the Franchise shall not be construed to limit the liability of Franchisee to the coverage
provided by such insurance, or otherwise limit the City's recourse to any remedy available
at law or in equity.
(b) Minimum Scope of Insurance. Franchisee shall obtain insurance of
the types and coverage described below:
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(i) Commercial General Liability insurance shall be at least as
broad as ISO occurrence form CG 00 01 and shall cover liability arising from premises,
operations, stop gap liability, independent contractors, products -completed operations,
personal injury and advertising injury, and liability assumed under an insured contract.
There shall be no exclusion for liability arising from explosion, collapse or underground
property damage. The City shall be named as an additional insured under Franchisee's
Commercial General Liability insurance policy with respect this Franchise using ISO
endorsement CG 20 12 05 09 or CG 20 26 07 04, or substitute endorsement providing
at least as broad coverage.
(ii) Automobile Liability insurance ering all owned, non -
owned, hired and leased vehicles. Coverage shall b e as broad as Insurance
Services Office (ISO) form CA 00 01.
(iii) Contractors Pollutio 'a insurance shall be in effect
throughout the entire Franchise coverin• ses ca d by pollution conditions that
arise from the operations of Franchisee. ution Liability shall cover bodily
injury, property damage, cleanu • an. ense, including costs and expenses
incurred in the investigation, ' .r sett ent of claims.
Compensation coverage as required by the
Industrial Insurance soft to •f Washington.
s or Umbrella Liability insurance shall be excess over
and at least as broad in c• :ge as Franchisee's Commercial General Liability and
Automobile Liability insurance. The City shall be named as an additional insured on the
Contractor's Excess or Umbrella Liability insurance policy.
(c) Minimum Amounts of Insurance. Franchisee shall maintain the
following insurance limits:
(i)
Commercial General Liability insurance shall be written with
limits no less than $5,000,000 each occurrence, $5,000,000 general aggregate.
(ii) Automobile Liability insurance with a minimum combined
single limit for bodily injury and property damage of $5,000,000 per accident.
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(iii) Contractors Pollution Liability insurance shall be written in an
amount of at least $2,000,000 per loss, with an annual aggregate of at least $2,000,000.
(iv) Excess or Umbrella Liability insurance shall be written with
limits of not Tess than $5,000,000 per occurrence and annual aggregate. The Excess or
Umbrella Liability requirement and limits may be satisfied instead through Franchisee's
Commercial General Liability and Automobile Liability insurance, or any combination
thereof that achieves the overall required limits.
(d) Other Insurance Provisions. Franchisee's Commercial General
Liability, Automobile Liability, Excess or Umbrella Liability, ntractors Pollution Liability
insurance policy or policies are to contain, or be endor to contain, that they shall be
primary insurance as respect the City. Any insuranc elf-i ance, or self -insured pool
coverage maintained by the City shall be exces ranchisee urance and shall not
contribute with it.
(e) Acceptability of Ins is to be placed with insurers with
a current A.M. Best rating of not less than
(f) VerificatioFranchisee shall furnish the City with
original certificates and a • - datory endorsements, including but not
necessarily limited to 'di .I insured endorsement, evidencing the insurance
requirements of th= anchise. •on -quest by the City, Franchisee shall furnish certified
copies of all requir- nsura► a policies, including endorsements, required in this
Franchise and evidence . ubcontractors' coverage.
(g) Subcontractors. Franchisee shall cause each and every
Subcontractor to provide insurance coverage that complies with all applicable
requirements of Franchisee -provided insurance as set forth herein, except Franchisee
shall have sole responsibility for determining the limits of coverage required to be
obtained by Subcontractors. Franchisee shall ensure that the City is an additional insured
on each and every Subcontractor's Commercial General liability insurance policy using
an endorsement as least as broad as ISO CG 2026.
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(h) Notice of Cancellation. Franchisee shall provide the City with
written notice of any policy cancellation within two business days of their receipt of such
notice.
(i)
Failure to Maintain Insurance. Failure on the part of Franchisee
to maintain the insurance as required shall constitute a material breach of Franchise,
upon which the City may, after giving five business days' notice to Franchisee to correct
the breach, terminate the Franchise or, at its discretion, procure or renew such insurance
and pay any and all premiums in connection therewith, with any sums so expended to be
repaid to the City on demand.
(j) City Full Availability of Fr. ' isee Limits. If Franchisee
maintains higher insurance limits than the minimu sho above, the City shall be
insured for the full available limits of Commercial neral and E s or Umbrella liability
maintained by Franchisee, irrespective of whe s limits maintained by Franchisee
are greater than those required by this F - chise ether any certificate of insurance
furnished to the City evidences limits 1 er than those maintained by
Franchisee.
(k) Fr hise- - -If- urance. If Franchisee is self -insured or
becomes self -insured d • • th= m of the Franchise, Franchisee or its affiliated parent
entity shall comply h the to •: (i) provide the City, upon request, a copy of
Franchisee's or its • -nt com ny's most recent audited financial statements, if such
financial statements ar- • erwise publicly available; (ii) Franchisee or its parent
company is responsible for all payments within the self -insured retention; and (iii)
Franchisee assumes all defense and indemnity obligations as outlined in Section 19.
Section 21. Bonds.
Section 21.1. Construction Performance Bond. Upon an application for a permit
involving excavation, installation, construction, restoration or relocation of the Facilities
and if required by the City, Franchisee shall furnish a performance bond ("Performance
Bond") written by a corporate surety reasonably acceptable to the city in an amount equal
to 150% of the construction cost, which should not be less than $2,000. The amount of
the Performance Bond may be reduced during construction as determined by the City.
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The Performance Bond shall guarantee the following: (1) timely completion of
construction; (2) construction in compliance with all applicable plans, permits, technical
codes, and standards; (3) proper location of the Facilities as specified by the City; (4)
restoration of the Rights -of -Way and other City properties affected by the construction;
(5) submission of as -built drawings after completion of construction; and (6) timely
payment and satisfaction of all claims, demands, or liens for labor, materials, or services
provided in connection with the work which could be asserted against the City or City
property. Said bond must remain in full force until the completion of construction,
including final inspection, corrections, and final approval of the work, recording of all
easements, provision of as -built drawings, and the postin' of a Maintenance Bond as
described in Section 21.2.
Section 21.2. Maintenance Bond. Followi xcavation, 'stallation, construction,
restoration or relocation of the Facilities and eq by the City, Franchisee shall
furnish a two (2) year maintenance bond (" tenance Bond"), or other surety
acceptable to the City, at the time of fin. - .nc construction work on Facilities
within the Rights -of -Way. The Maintena .n. . ount will be equal to ten percent
(10%) of the documented fin st o he c► truction work. The Maintenance Bond in
this Section 21.2 must be in a 's release of the bond required by Section
21.1.
Section 21.3.-ranchise nd. Franchisee shall provide City with a bond in the
amount of Twenty -Five Tho d Dollars ($25,000.00) ("Franchise Bond") running or
renewable for the term of th.s Franchise, in a form and substance reasonably acceptable
to City. In the event Franchisee shall fail to substantially comply with any one or more of
the provisions of this Franchise following notice and a reasonable opportunity to cure,
then there shall be recovered jointly and severally from Franchisee and the bond any
actual damages suffered by City as a result thereof, including but not limited to staff time,
material and equipment costs, compensation or indemnification of third parties, and the
cost of removal or abandonment of facilities hereinabove described. Franchisee
specifically agrees that its failure to comply with the terms of this Section 20.1 shall
constitute a material breach of this Franchise. The amount of the bond shall not be
Ezee Fiber Franchise Agreement
Page 30 of 40
65
construed to limit Franchisee's liability or to limit the City's recourse to any remedy to
which the City is otherwise entitled at law or in equity.
Section 22. Abandonment of Franchisee's Facilities.
Section 22.1. Upon the expiration, termination, or revocation of the rights granted
under this Franchise, Franchisee shall remove all of its Facilities from the Rights -of -Way
within thirty (30) days of receiving written notice from the Public Works Director or
designee. The Facilities, in whole or in part, may not be abandoned by Franchisee without
written approval by the City. Any plan for abandonment or removal of Franchisee's
Facilities must be first approved by the Public Works Directo •r his/her designee, and all
necessary permits must be obtained prior to such wor, ranchisee shall restore the
Right -of -Way to at least the same condition the Rig t of- . were in immediately prior
to any such removal provided Franchisee shall n e responsib • r any changes to the
Right -of -Way not caused by Franchisee or on doing work for Franchisee.
Franchisee shall be solely responsible fo I costs ciated with removing its Facilities.
Section 22.2. Notwithstanding Se on above, the City may permit
Franchisee's improvements to • : • Edon: in place in such a manner as the City may
prescribe. Upon permane aba - • •� -nt, . nd Franchisee's agreement to transfer
ownership of the Faciliti- • the , y, Franchisee shall submit to the City a proposal and
instruments for tranto the City.
Section 22.3. Facili which are not removed within one hundred twenty
(120) days of either the • •f termination or revocation or the date the City issued a
permit authorizing removal, whichever is later, shall automatically become the property of
the City. Any costs incurred by the City in safeguarding such Facilities or removing the
Facilities shall be reimbursed by Franchisee. Nothing contained within this Section 22.
shall prevent the City from compelling Franchisee to remove any such Facilities through
judicial action when the City has not permitted Franchisee to abandon said Facilities in
place.
Section 22.4. If Franchisee leases a structure in the Right -of -Way from a landlord
and such landlord later replaces, removes or relocates the structure, for example by
building a replacement structure, Franchisee shall remove or relocate its Facilities within
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the Right -of -Way within ninety (90) days of such notification from the landlord at no cost
to the City.
Section 22.5. The provisions of this Section 22. shall survive the expiration,
revocation, abandonment, or termination of this Franchise and for so long as Franchisee
has Facilities in Rights -of -Way.
Section 23. Forfeiture and Revocation.
Section 23.1. If Franchisee willfully violates or fails to comply with any of the
provisions of this Franchise, or through willful misconduct or gross negligence fails to
heed or comply with any notice given Franchisee by the Ci nder the provisions of this
Franchise, then Franchisee shall, at the election of t - wila City Council, forfeit all
rights conferred hereunder and this Franchise mayrevoke • annulled by the Council
after a hearing held upon notice to Franchisee.
Section 23.2. Such hearing shall be open
interested parties may offer written an
alleged noncompliance. This hearing
Franchisee to conduct discov
(30) days after the hearing, t
the determination as t
be terminated, or
City Council may in
e public and Franchisee and other
e explaining or mitigating such
e the right to either the City or
itnesses, or take depositions. Within thirty
uncil, on the basis of the record, will make
e is cause for revocation, whether the Franchise will
tions should otherwise be imposed. The Tukwila
etion fix an additional time period to cure violations. If
the deficiency has not be • red at the expiration of any additional time period or if the
Tukwila City Council does not grant any additional period, the Tukwila City Council may
by resolution declare the Franchise to be revoked and forfeited or impose lesser
sanctions. If Franchisee appeals revocation and termination, such revocation may be
held in abeyance pending judicial review by a court of competent jurisdiction, provided
Franchisee is otherwise in compliance with the Franchise.
Section 24. Remedies to Enforce Compliance.
Section 24.1. The City may elect, without any prejudice to any of its other legal
rights and remedies, to obtain an order from the superior court having jurisdiction
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compelling Franchisee to comply with the provisions of the Franchise and to recover
damages and costs incurred by the City by reason of Franchisee's failure to comply. In
addition to any other remedy provided herein, the City reserves the right to pursue any
remedy to compel or force Franchisee and/or its successors and assigns to comply with
the terms hereof, and the pursuit of any right or remedy by the City shall not prevent the
City from thereafter declaring a forfeiture or revocation for breach of the conditions herein.
In addition to any other remedy provided in this Franchise, Franchisee reserves the right
to pursue any remedy available at law or in equity to compel or require the City, its officers,
employees, volunteers, contractors and other agents and representatives, to comply with
the terms of this Franchise. Further, all rights and remed
addition to and cumulative with any and all other right
the City or Franchisee. Such rights and remedies
of one or more rights or remedies shall not be
the same time or thereafter any other right or re
into this Franchise, it is not the intenti
rights, remedies, or obligations as othe
nothing contained here shall
parties agree that in the e
required to post a bond
of such a requirem
rovided herein shall be in
emedies available to either
e _ lusive, and the exercise
iver o he right to exercise at
Provided, further, that by entering
Franchisee to waive any other
by law equity, or otherwise, and
construed to effect any such waiver. The
s injunctive relief, neither party shall be
urity and the parties agree not to seek the imposition
Section 24.2.1 er p. (the "Defaulting Party") shall violate, or fail to comply
with any of the provisions is Franchise, or should it fail to heed or comply with any
notice given to such party under the provisions of this Franchise, the other party (the
"Non -Defaulting Party") shall provide the Defaulting Party with written notice specifying
with reasonable particularity the nature of any such breach and the Defaulting Party shall
undertake all commercially reasonable efforts to cure such breach within thirty (30) days
of receipt of notification. If the parties reasonably determine the breach cannot be cured
within (30) thirty days, the Non -Defaulting Party may specify a longer cure period, and
condition the extension of time on the Defaulting Party's submittal of a plan to cure the
breach within the specified period, commencement of work within the original thirty (30)
day cure period, and diligent prosecution of the work to completion. If the breach is not
Ezee Fiber Franchise Agreement Page 33 of 40
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cured within the specified time, or the Defaulting Party does not comply with the specified
conditions, the Non -Defaulting Party may pursue any available remedy at law or in equity
as provided in Section 24.1 above, or in the event Franchisee has failed to timely cure or
commence cure of the breach, the City may, at its discretion, (1) revoke this Franchise
with no further notification pursuant to this Section 24. , (2) refuse to grant additional
permits, or (3) claim damages of Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($250.00) per day against the
Franchisee or Franchise Bond set forth in Section 21.3.
Section 25. Non -Waiver.
Section 25.1. The failure of either party to insist upon .trict performance of any of
the covenants and agreements of this Franchise or exercise any option herein
conferred in any one or more instances, shall n t •e c• trued to be a waiver or
relinquishment of any such covenants, agree s or option . ny other covenants,
agreements or option.
Section 26. Acceptance.
Section 26.1. Within sixty
Franchisee shall execute an
Franchise in the form attac
submit proof of insur
Section 20. , any
the Franchise Bond
pursuant to Section 14.1.
Section 27. Survival.
da s of of this Franchise Ordinance, the
ity its execution and acceptance of this
chment B. In addition, Franchisee shall
and additional insured endorsement pursuant to
tion Performance Bond pursuant to Section 21.1,
ursuant to Section 21.3, and the administrative fee
Section 27.1. All of the provisions, conditions, and requirements of Section 6. ,
Section 7. Section 9. , Section 10. , Section 19. , Section 20. , Section 22. , Section
32.1, Section 35.3 and Section 35.4 of this Franchise shall be in addition to any and all
other obligations and liabilities Franchisee may have to the City at common law, by
statute, or by contract, and shall survive the City's Franchise to Franchisee for the use of
the Franchise Area, and any renewals or extensions thereof. All of the provisions,
conditions, regulations and requirements contained in this Franchise shall further be
Ezee Fiber Franchise Agreement Page 34 of 40
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binding upon the heirs, successors, executors, administrators, legal representatives and
assigns of Franchisee and all privileges, as well as all obligations and liabilities of
Franchisee shall inure to its heirs, successors and assigns equally as if they were
specifically mentioned where Franchisee is named herein.
Section 28. Assignment.
Section 28.1. This Franchise may not be directly or indirectly assigned, transferred,
or disposed of by sale, lease, merger, consolidation or other act of Franchisee, by
operation of law or otherwise, unless prior written consent is provided to the City within
sixty (60) days following the assignment. In the case of trans r or assignment as security
by mortgage or other security instrument in whole or in p o secure indebtedness, such
notice shall not be required unless and until the sec d pa elects to realize upon the
collateral. For purposes of this Section 28.1, no ignment or sfer of this Franchise
shall be deemed to occur based on the publi d' of Franchisee's stock; provided,
however, any tender offer, merger, or si . r trans n resulting in a change of control
shall be subject to the provisions of this
Section 28.2. Any trans
50% or more of the (i) o
Franchisee or its Telec
working control of
control of the capaci
ingularly or collectively result in a change of
g control (for example, management of
ons facilities) of the Franchisee; or (ii) ownership or
lecommunications facilities within the City; or (iii)
h of the Franchisee's Telecommunication facilities within
the City, shall be conside « - ssignment or transfer requiring notice to the City pursuant
to this Franchise. Such transactions between affiliated entities are not exempt from notice
requirements. A Franchisee shall notify the City of any proposed change in, or transfer of,
or acquisition by any other party of control of a Franchisee within sixty (60) days following
the closing of the transaction.
Section 29. Entire Agreement.
Section 29.1. This Franchise constitutes the entire understanding and agreement
between the parties as to the subject matter herein and no other agreements or
understandings, written or otherwise, shall be binding upon the parties upon execution of
this Franchise.
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Section 30. Extension.
Section 30.1. If this Franchise expires without renewal or is otherwise lawfully
terminated or revoked, the City may, subject to applicable law:
(a) Allow Franchisee to maintain and operate its Facilities on a month -to -month
basis, provided that Franchisee maintains insurance for such Facilities during such
period and continues to comply with this Franchise; or
(b) The City may order the removal of any and all Facilities at Franchisee's sole
cost and expense consistent with Section 22.
Section 31. Eminent Domain.
Section 31.1. The existence of this Franchis- a •t preclude the City from
acquiring by condemnation in accordance with plicable la :II or a portion of the
Franchisee's Facilities for the fair market valu re n determining the value of such
Facilities, no value shall be attributed tone righ occupy the area conferred by this
Franchise.
Section 32. Vacation.
Section 32.1. If at an
area affected by this Fr
Franchisee by reas
of the Right -of -Way,
easement for Franchise
rdinance, vacates all or any portion of the
City shall not be liable for any damages or loss to the
If Franchisee has Facilities in the vacated portion
all use reasonable efforts to reserve an appurtenant
n the vacated portion of the Right -of -Way within which
Franchisee may continue to operate existing Facilities under the terms of this Franchise
for the remaining period of the term set forth in Section 4. Notwithstanding the preceding
sentence, the City shall incur no liability for failing to reserve such easement. The City
shall notify the Franchisee in writing not less than sixty (60) days before vacating all or
any portion of any such area, in which Franchisee is located. The City may, after sixty
(60) days written notice to the Franchisee, terminate this Franchise with respect to such
vacated area.
Section 33. Hazardous Substances.
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Section 33.1. Franchisee shall not introduce or use any hazardous substances
(chemical or waste), in violation of any applicable law or regulation, nor shall Franchisee
allow any of its agents, contractors or any person under its control to do the same.
Franchisee will be solely responsible for and will defend, indemnify and hold the City, its
officers, officials, employees, agents and volunteers harmless from and against any and
all claims, costs and liabilities including reasonable attorneys' fees and costs, arising out
of or in connection with the cleanup or restoration of the property to the extent caused by
Franchisee's use, storage, or disposal of hazardous substances, whether or not
intentional, and the use, storage or disposal of such substances by Franchisee's agents,
contractors or other persons acting under Franchisee's con , whether or not intentional.
Section 33.2. The obligations of the Franchi -r this Section 32.1 shall
survive the expiration, revocation, abandonmenarlier ter .tion of the Franchise
granted by this Franchise Ordinance.
Section 34. Notice
Section 34.1. Any Notice or inform
parties under this Franchise a
otherwise specified:
CITY OF TUKWILA
City Clerk's Office
6200 Southcenter el
Tukwila, WA 98188
Phone:
Email:
or permitted to be given to the
be sent to the following addresses unless
FRANCHISEE
Section 34.2. The Franchisee's current emergency contact shall be Garner
Duncan and is reachable via the following number 972-898-5487 or 713-255-7500, and
shall be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Franchisee shall promptly
notify the City of any change in the notice address or emergency contact (or title) and
phone number.
Section 35. Miscellaneous.
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Section 35.1. Prior to constructing any Facilities, Franchisee shall obtain a
business or utility license from the City. Franchisee shall pay promptly and before they
become delinquent, all taxes on personal property and improvements owned or placed
by Franchisee and shall pay all license fees and public utility charges relating to the
conduct of its business, shall pay for all permits, licenses and zoning approvals, shall pay
any other applicable tax unless documentation of exemption is provided to the City and
shall pay utility taxes and license fees imposed by the City.
Section 35.2. City and Franchisee respectively represent that its signatory is duly
authorized and has full right, power and authority to execute this Franchise.
Section 35.3. If a suit or other action is instituted in nection with any controversy
arising out of this Franchise, the prevailing party sha • - en • to recover all of its costs
and expenses, including such sum as the court . y judge as onable for attorneys'
fees, costs, expenses and attorneys' fees upo • _ •f any judgment or ruling.
Section 35.4. This Franchise shal _ •nstru- accordance with the laws of the
State of Washington. Venue for any disp - _ - this Franchise shall be the United
States District Court for the Di- ct of Washington, or Snohomish County
Superior Court.
Section 35.5. S
reading thereof.
interpretation of the t
and headings are intended solely to facilitate the
d headings shall not affect the meaning or
Section 35.6. Wher- e context so requires, the singular shall include the plural
and the plural include the singular.
Section 35.7. Franchisee shall be responsible for obtaining all other necessary
approvals, authorizations and agreements from any party or entity and it is acknowledged
and agreed that the City is making no representation, warranty or covenant whether any
of the foregoing approvals, authorizations or agreements are required or have been
obtained by Franchisee by any person or entity.
Section 35.8. This Franchise may be enforced at both law and equity.
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Section 35.9. Franchisee acknowledges that it, and not the City, shall be
responsible for the premises and equipment's compliance with all marking and lighting
requirements of the FAA and the FCC. Franchisee shall indemnify and hold the City
harmless from any fines or other liabilities caused by Franchisee's failure to comply with
such requirements. Should Franchisee or the City be cited by either the FCC or the FAA
because the Facilities or the Franchisee's equipment is not in compliance and should
Franchisee fail to cure the conditions of noncompliance within the timeframe allowed by
the citing agency, the City may either terminate this Franchise immediately on notice to
the Franchisee or proceed to cure the conditions of noncompliance at the Franchisee's
expense.
Section 35.10. This Franchise is subject aI rent and future applicable
federal, State and local laws, regulations and ers of g nmental agencies as
amended, including but not limited to the Com ica ' s Act of 1934, as amended, the
Telecommunications Act of 1996, as amended the Rules and Regulations of the
FCC. Neither the City nor Franchisee rig they may have under any such
laws, rules, or regulations.
Section 35.11. Tarty beneficiaries to this Franchise.
0
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Attachment B
STATEMENT OF ACCEPTANCE
, for itself, its successors and assigns,
hereby accepts and agrees to be bound by all lawful terms, conditions and provisions of
the Franchise attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference.
By:
Date:
Name:
Title:
STATE OF
COUNTY OF
On this day of
Public in and for the State o
personally appeared,
that executed the within and
to be the free and voluntary
therein mentioned, a
instrument.
IN WITNESS WHER
date hereinabove set f
fore me the undersigned, a Notary
, duly commissioned and sworn,
f , the company
nt, and acknowledged the said instrument
said company, for the uses and purposes
stated that he/she is authorized to execute said
ereunto set my hand and affixed my official seal on the
Signature
NOTARY PUBLIC in and for the State of
Residing at
MY COMMISSION EXPIRES:
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Page 40 of 40
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City of Tukwila
Telecommunications Franchise Application
For Location of Telecommunications
Facilities Within City Right -of -Way
IMPORTANT: THIS APPLICATION CAN NOT BE SUBMITTED UNLESS
ACCOMPANIED BY A FRANCHISE APPLICATION FEE DEPOSIT OF $5891.00
DOLLARS CONSISTENT WITH TUKWILA MUNICIPAL CODE AND FEE
RESOLUTIONS. THIS DEPOSIT IS TO COVER ACTUAL ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES
INCURRED BY THE CITY (INCLUDING STAFF AND ATTORNEY/CONSULTANT
RELATED TIME) ASSOCIATED WITH THE REVIEW OF THIS FRANCHISE
APPLICATION AND ASSOCIATED FRANCHISE NEGOTIATIONS. THIS IS ONLY AN
INITIAL DEPOSIT; ADDITIONAL FEES MAY APPLY IF ADDITIONAL STAFF AND
ATTORNEY/CONSULTANT RELATED TIME IS NECESSARY.
Applicants may attach additional pages to further explain the answers below. If a question is
not applicable to an application as in the case of a transfer of ownership of a franchisee
without a change in the facilities and/or business operations of the acquired entity, an
applicant may refer to the information in and the requirements of the underlying franchise.
If you have any questions related to filling out this Franchise Application Form, please contact:
Eric Compton via e-mail at Eric.Compton@TukwilaWA.gov.
General Information
Name of Applicant: Ezee Fiber Texas, LLC dba Ezee Fiber
Address: 5959 Corporate Dr. Ste. 2000
City: Houston
State: TX
Zip Code:
77036
Telephone:713-255-7500 main, 713-405-1125
direct
Has the Applicant obtained a city business license? ❑ X (will apply today, 01/31/2025)
Yes No
PLEASE NOTE: All telecommunication carriers and service providers engaged in the business of
transmitting, supplying, or furnishing telecommunications service of any kind originating or terminating in
the City of Tukwila shall apply and obtain a Business License from the City pursuant to Chapter 5.04 of
Tukwila Municipal Code.
Name of Person Filing this Application: Garner Duncan
Title: SVP, Government Affairs
Company: Ezee Fiber
Address: 5959 Corporate Dr. Ste. 2000
City: Houston
Zip Code:
77043
Telephone: 713-405-1125
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State: TX
Email: garner.duncan@ezeefiber.com
Are you serving as agent for the above -named applicant? X ❑
If yes, please attach proof of agency. Yes No
Property and Facility Information
Is this an application for:
(i) New franchise? Yes X No ❑
(ii) Renewal/amending an existing franchise? Yes ❑ No X
(iii) Transfer of a franchise? Yes ❑ No X, if yes, identify who currently holds the franchise:
If you are renewing/amending an existing franchise, has your franchise otherwise expired?
Yes ❑ No X
If not, what is the expiration date of your current franchise?
N/A
Describe the telecommunications services that will be offered over the telecommunications facilities.
Ezee Fiber will install fiber-optic cables that will provide symmetrical internet connection to homes
businesses, governmental and educational entities.
The applicant may answer yes to one or more of the following questions.
Are you proposing to install facilities for personal wireless services? Yes X No ❑
Are you proposing to install small wireless facilities as defined by TMC 18.58.040 in the right of way?
Yes ❑ No X
Are you proposing to install underground wireline facilities? Yes X No ❑
Are you proposing to install aerial wireline facilities? Yes X No ❑
Are you proposing to install only one facility in the right of way? Yes X No ❑
Are you proposing to operate cable service or other video programming service? Yes ❑ No X
Are you proposing to install a wireless communications tower in the right of way? Yes ❑ No X
Are you proposing to install new poles in the right of way? Yes ❑ No X
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Are you proposing to install replacement poles in the right of way? Yes ❑ No X
If you are proposing to install replacement poles in the right of way, will these poles be over 60 feet?
Yes ❑ No X
Are you proposing to install ground equipment in the right of way? Yes X No ❑
Describe the telecommunications facilities and/or other equipment (including personal wireless
services and wireless communications facilities) proposed to be located within the right-of-way.
Please provide a photo simulation of the proposed facilities if available, which shall include a
description of any interconnection and electrical requirements and a description of which structures
the facilities will be connected or attached.
For distribution, we intend to install roadside cabinets about every 5,000 homes which are
about 2'x4'x4'. We use ground level hand -holes and splice enclosures.
Describe the transmission medium that will be used to provide telecommunications.
Fiber optic cable, 144-288 count cable. We expect the build -out will take 12-18 months in total,
although we can build faster if the city will allow.
Describe the areas of the city that are anticipated to be served. What is the expected build -out
schedule for these areas? If the City is already built out, describe if there are any expected
construction projects.
We expect to build our fiber-optic network across the entire city with -out significantly overlapping
another residential fiber-optic provider.
Describe your site access policies.
We do not have any site access policies as we're not installing any sites that will require access.
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Do you have an existing pole attachment or lease agreement with owners of poles in the right of way?
Yes ❑ No ❑ We are in the process of working with PGS and BPA on a Joint Use Agreement for pole
access.
Have you coordinated with pole owners regarding usage of their facilities and their requirements for
leases/pole attachments? Yes X No ❑
Is electrical power to your facilities needed? Yes X No ❑
If electrical power is needed, please describe how the facilities will receive electrical power.
We will require electricity to our roadside cabinet from the incumbent electrical provider.
Have you coordinated with the local electrical utility about their requirements to provide electrical
power to your facilities? Yes ❑ No X Not yet
Is backhaul infrastructure to your facilities needed? Yes X No ❑
Is the backhaul infrastructure provided by a third party? Yes X No ❑
If backhaul is needed, please describe how the facilities will receive backhaul.
Should Zayo be our underlying backhaul carrier, we will interconnect with their facilities in
predetermined splice locations across the region.
Have you coordinated with backhaul providers regarding their requirements to provide backhaul
services to your facility? Yes X No ❑
If the facilities are using microwave technologies for backhaul, are there existing macro facilities
within the city (or neighboring jurisdictions) to support this technology?
No
Please describe if your facilities will need any additional interconnection with existing
telecommunications facilities or carriers.
Should Zayo be our underlying backhaul carrier, we will interconnect with their facilities in
predetermined splice locations across the region.
Indicate what licenses, certificates, and authorizations are required from the Federal
Communications Commission, the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission and any
other federal or state agency with jurisdiction over the proposed activities. Have all such licenses,
certificates and authorizations been obtained? Please attach your registration with the Washington
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Utilities and Transportation Commission.
We are licensed with the FCC and the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commissions
(WA License #UT-231030, attached to application).
Describe in detail the services that you expect to provide within the City, including whether the
provision of services will be to commercial and/or residential customers.
We intend to build out the entire city with fiber -optics, contingent upon competitors, to all homes
and businesses within the city limits of Sammamish. This fiber optic network will deliver 100% fiber
optic, carrier grade internet services to the residents and businesses of Tukwila.
Provide a summary of all utility taxes the proposed activities, facilities, and other equipment will be
subject to. In doing so, provide an estimate of income/revenues that can be used to calculate
estimated future utility taxes. Should the applicant believe it is not subject to any utility taxes,
provide the basis for such belief.
We understand the city will charge Ezee Fiber a franchise or ROW assessment in the 3-5% range on
Gross Receipts.
Explain whether the Internet Tax Freedom Act does or does not apply to the services being provided.
ITFA prohibits imposition of retail sales tax on internet access
The City of Tukwila reserves the right to ask additional questions on a case -by -case basis.
Certification
I certify that the information and any attachment submitted herewith are true and correct to the best of my
knowledge and that I have the authority to file this application and act on behalf of the above -named
telecommunications provider or carrier.
Signature Please Print Name 02/07/2025Date
G"F6 Garner Duncan
Submit to:
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Received By:
Signature Please Print Name Date
ALSO SUBMIT WITH THIS COMPLETED APPLICATION FORM AS APPLICABLE:
1) Provide a map of the area to be covered by the franchise and include specific locations of initial
build -out, if known. Identify which facilities will be underground, ground based and aerial.
2) Evidence of registration in the one -number locator service, as described in RCW Chapter 19.122.
3) Financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles
demonstrating the applicant's financial ability to construct, operate, maintain, relocate, and
remove the facilities.
4) If the initial deployment is known, an 11"x17" set of preliminary construction designs,
specifications, and a map for initial deployment with sufficient detail to identify the following
items:
a. The location and route requested for the applicant's proposed telecommunications
facilities; and
b. The location of overhead and underground public utility, telecommunication, cable,
water, sewer drainage and other lines and equipment in the rights -of -way along the
proposed route; and
c. The specific trees, structures, improvements, facilities, lines and equipment and
obstructions, if any, that the applicant proposes to temporarily or permanently remove or
relocate; and
d. If the applicant is proposing an underground installation within new ducts or conduits to
be constructed within the rights -of -way and to the extent specific locations are known:
i. The location proposed for new ducts or conduits.
ii. Evidence that there is sufficient capacity within the rights -of -way for the
proposed telecommunications facilities; and
e. Photo simulations of any small wireless facilities if such facilities are proposed which
shall include a description of any interconnection and electrical requirements and a
description of which structures the facilities will be connected to or attached.
5) A preliminary construction schedule and anticipated completion date.
6) Description of any zoning or land use permits that have been applied for or obtained from the
city, as applicable.
7) List of other Washington jurisdictions in which applicant has a franchise or master permit.
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