The Helena City Commission voted 5-0 on September 29 to approve first passage of an ordinance granting Blackfoot Communications Inc. an access agreement to construct, operate, regulate, and control a telecommunications system within Helena city limits. A second and final vote will be required before the agreement takes effect.
Assistant City Attorney Pettish explained during the meeting that the agreement differs from a standard franchise agreement because federal law exempts strictly telecommunications companies — as opposed to cable television providers — from the traditional franchise process. The access agreement is the legally appropriate vehicle for this type of arrangement, Pettish said.
Blackfoot Communications is a Montana-based telecommunications company that serves portions of western Montana. Expanding its footprint within Helena city limits would give residents and businesses an additional option for telecom service, depending on the infrastructure built under the agreement. Details on the specific routes, construction timeline, or service offerings were not immediately available from the September 29 meeting record.
Because this was first passage only, the commission will need to hold a second reading and vote before the ordinance becomes law. That vote is expected at a subsequent commission meeting.