Residents protest CenturyLink backyard fiber installation; mayor says work is on hold

Tyler Jensen, a Mapleton resident, told the City Council on Aug. 6 that he learned on July 21 that a contractor would install fiber‑optic cable through his backyard and that a copy of the permit he received showed it had been filed July 7. He said he told the contractor, “I would not allow that.”

Jensen said he called the inspector listed on the permit and was told the inspector had to approve it because “this came down from the higher ups,” and that the inspector named the director of public works and the city manager. Jensen said the project was a citywide seven‑phase upgrade by CenturyLink to replace copper with fiber and that the permit required a $10,000 bond. He urged the council to require public notice and public input for sweeping infrastructure projects affecting private property.

Mayor (title used in meeting) told Jensen and other residents the city has been meeting with Lumen and CenturyLink and that, “They are on hold, and they're gonna be on hold until we go through this whole thing. So they should not be in your backyard.” The mayor said city staff instructed the company they may only repair previously opened trenches, and asked residents to call city officials if they see work starting.

Ron Ritchie, another nearby resident, told the council he supports Jensen and questioned the need for backyard installations where municipal easements typically allow street‑facing placement. Ritchie said, “I have no idea why I would think they need to install fiber optic in the city when the city already has a fiber optic,” and urged the city to pursue legal remedies if necessary.

Rob, identified in the meeting as the director of public works, and the city manager met with Jensen at his home on July 22 and subsequently told residents the city was seeking additional information. City officials described their immediate direction to staff as halting construction pending further coordination with the utility franchise holder.

The discussion distinguished three types of statements in the meeting record: residents' accounts of what contractors or inspectors told them; staff and mayoral statements that the city has placed the CenturyLink/Lumen project on hold and is reopening discussions with the company; and residents' calls for new notification or approval procedures for citywide utility work. The council did not adopt a formal ordinance or vote on new rules at the meeting.