Residents unhappy about their yards being dug up in the city’s right-of-way for a new fiber optic internet network will have a chance to hear an update on the project to increase broadband capacity throughout the city.
At the regular meeting of the Taylor City Council Thursday, June 22, Public Works Director Jim Gray and a representative of Mears Contractors, which is handing the Fiber First installation, will answer questions and provide a presentation on the fiber efforts, which began in February of 2023.
“We have some residents who have not been happy with them,” Gray said. “We have some councilmen that have told us about some of their constituents, and we will bring that up and talk to them about that.”
Gray said a representative from AT&T, which is simultaneously conducting fiber installation work that also prompted some complaints from residents, will not be available at this meeting. “We also have some people that weren’t aware that they were allowed to work in the right-of-way in front of their houses,” Gray said. “(But) We have had some where they (contractors) have actually not done things that they should have done, so we will address some of that. It will just be an overview of what is going on.”
Gray said during the digging, some service workers reportedly hit some sprinkler lines, water and sewer service lines as well as gas lines, but Mears has taken steps to address the problems.
“Mears recently released two subcontractors who did not work up to the Mears or city standards,” according to city documents.
In other business, at the meeting, city leaders will:
• Introduce an ordinance for a property-tax exemption increase for the disabled and residents over 65 years old.
• Consider accepting a Texas Department of Transportation’s Highway Safety Improvement program’s funding for dynamic speed feedback signs.
• Consider proposals to award a contract for consulting services for a FEMA Public Assistance Grant to offset costs from Winter Storm Mara
• Consider awarding a contract for the 2022 Street Maintenance Project.
• Consider amending a contract with Fazzone Construction to add upgraded kennels to the renovation of the Taylor Animal Shelter from the current design in the amount of $107,953.83.
The Taylor City Council regularly meets the second and fourth Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. at City Hall, 400 Porter St. in Taylor. Agendas and live broadcasts are available at http://www. taylortx.gov.
