Mayor Ward and Members of the City Commission:

The email from Ms. Dewsbury regarding work in the public right-of-way was responded to below by Director Singleton.

Good afternoon Ms. Dewsbury:

 Your inquiry regarding fiber optic installations was forwarded to the Public Works Department for a response as utility permitting is a department function. The Florida Legislature requires permitting of private communications providers, such as Pavlov Media, ATT and IQ Fiber, in the City’s right-of-way and utility easements; there are no exceptions to the laws nor any limits regarding the number of providers that are permitted. The providers are required to restore the right-of-way once installation are completed. City Inspectors work with the communication providers to review their work and ensure restoration. I’ve copied Matt Williams, our Permitting Supervisor, and Bob Jarvis, our Inspector that is reviewing the fiber installations. We would be happy to meet you on-site to review any concerns you have so we can ensure they all get addressed.

Bob:

Ms. Dewsbury is located at 4520 NW 15^th Pl – Parcel 06383-028-012. Please review the location and follow-up with the utility owners to ensure the right-of-way is restored properly, including re-establishing/watering in the sod with the same type as existing.

Brian M. Singleton, P.E. | Public Works Director

Public Works Department | City of Gainesville

desk 352-393-8801 | assistant 352-393-8327 | reception 352-334-5070 | mobile 352-222-5103

email singletonbm@gainesvillefl.gov

PLEASE NOTE: Florida has a very broad public records law (F.S.119).

All e-mails to and from City Officials and City Staff are kept as public records. Your e-mail communications, including your e-mail address, may be disclosed to the public and media at any time.

-----Original Message-----

From: Joyce Dewsbury <joysinger93@gmail.com>

Sent: Saturday, December 28, 2024 11:17 AM

To: citycomm <citycomm@gainesvillefl.gov>

Subject: [EXTERNAL] Media and FIBER optic

Dear Mayor Ward and City Commissioners:

For several months now at least three fiber optic companies have been digging holes in our yards in Suburban Heights.  From the beginning there was little information about this entire process.  There was no opportunity for input or even a vote.  It was thrust upon us all.

As soon as one company digs a hole, adds fiber, and then fills in the hole and puts a giant metal plate on top then the next company comes along and repeats the same process.  Currently we have two such plates in our yard. Despite being told on the postcards (we happen to have received from the companies) that the yard would be returned to its original state that often is not the case.  Besides the metal plates there are large swaths of dead grass!

When I had questions I could not speak to the person doing the digging or some other work because they did not speak English. If there was a man who did speak English I was able to speak with them and have my questions answered.  I do regret not having had more Spanish when I was in college.

Other neighbors besides myself have also been concerned about this process.  Some of us are not even sure we want to have a contract with any of the fiber optic companies.

My main question is how was all this originally approved?  And in addition the concern about little information being provided. 

I would appreciate having a response to my email.

Thank you in advance,

Joyce Dewsbury