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STAFF REPORT <br />DATE: April 14, 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 <br />☒ Responsive, transparent, adaptive governance <br />☐Managed Growth <br />☒ Efficient, reliable, innovative services <br />☐ Balanced Finances now and future <br />☒ Resilient Infrastructure <br />BACKGROUND: <br />At the January 13, 2026, workshop meeting Michael Bradley of Bradley Werner, LLC, provided a brief overview of <br />broadband franchising. Council was interested in continuing the discussion with more information regarding the benefits <br />of broadband franchising for the community. Michael Bradley of Bradley Werner, LLC, and Mary Kline of the <br />Ramsey/Washington Suburban Cable Commission will be present to facilitate a discussion and answer questions. <br />The Ramsey Washington Counties Suburban Cable Communications Commission has approached its nine member cities, <br />including Lake Elmo, to determine whether there is interest in a potential opportunity to establish franchise agreements <br />with fiber broadband companies operating in the public right-of-way (ROW). This opportunity emerged after recent legal <br />decisions at the federal level which led the South Washington County Telecommunications Commission to adopt the <br />first broadband franchise in Minnesota with Intrepid Fiber Networks for the City of Woodbury on September 25, 2025. <br />ISSUE BEFORE COUNCIL: <br />Is the City Council interested in pursuing broadband franchising through the Cable Commission? <br />ATTACHMENTS: <br />Memorandum to Ramsey/Washington Counties Suburban Cable Communications Commission from Michael <br />Bradley dated October 30, 2025. <br />Presentation-Minnesota’s First Broadband Franchise