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STAFF REPORT <br />DATE:January 13, 2026 <br />WORKSHOP DISCUSSION <br />TO: Mayor and Councilmembers <br />FROM: Nicole Miller, City Administrator <br />AGENDA ITEM: Broadband Franchise Discussion <br />CORE STRATEGIES: <br />☐ Vibrant, inclusive, connected community ☒ Efficient, reliable, innovative services <br />☒ Responsive, transparent, adaptive governance ☐ Balanced Finances now and future <br />☐ Managed Growth ☒ Resilient Infrastructure <br />BACKGROUND: The Ramsey Washington Counties Suburban Cable Communications Commission has <br />approached its nine member cities, including Lake Elmo, to determine whether there is interest in a <br />potential opportunity to establish franchise agreements with fiber broadband companies operating in the <br />public right-of-way (ROW). This opportunity emerged after recent legal decisions at the federal level <br />which led the South Washington County Telecommunications Commission to adopt the first broadband <br />franchise in Minnesota with Intrepid Fiber Networks for the City of Woodbury on September 25, 2025. <br />The attorney that worked on that franchise, Michael Bradley of Bradley Werner, LLC, will be in <br />attendance to provide a brief overview of broadband franchising and answer questions. <br />ISSUE BEFORE COUNCIL: Is the City Council interested in pursuing broadband franchising through <br />the Cable Commission? <br />ATTACHMENTS: <br />“First Broadband Franchise Ushers in New Era in Franchising” dated September 29, 2025 <br />“This is the Way: Equal Access to Broadband Through Municipal Franchising” Municipal <br />Lawyer January-February 2025 <br />Memorandum to Ramsey/Washington Counties Suburban Cable Communications Commission <br />from Michael Bradley dated October 30, 2025.