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Christopher K. Miller <br />May 22,2005 <br />Page 5 <br />opinion, although it is an unsettled area of the law, we believe that a strong argument could be <br />made for interpreting the word "intended" in Minn. Stat. � 237.162, subd. 4, as encompassing <br />any facilities that are designed and/ar capable of transporting telecommunications or other <br />voice or data information, therefore requiring such facilities to be located in a high-density <br />corridor, if established. <br />A review of the existing franchise agreement between MeciiaOne North Central <br />Communications Corporation and the City of Roseville reveals nothing that would hinder the <br />application of a high-density corridor ordinance, if passed. Minnesota Statute � 238.086 <br />provides that if there is a conflict in language between the franchise of a person holding a <br />franchise agreement with a local unit of government and an ordinance regulating the use of <br />public rights-of-way, the terms of the franchise will prevail. However, the language of the <br />City's franchise agreement already accounts for discrepancies between the agreement and the <br />City's right-of-way ordinances. In specific, Section 2.6 provides that: <br />Grantee shall comply with the terms of any City ordinance or regulation <br />of general applicability which addresses usage of the Rights-of-way <br />within the City which may have the effect of superceding, modifying or <br />amending the terms of Section 3[relating to construction standards] <br />a�d/or Section 8.5 [relating to furnishing and filing maps with the City] <br />herein...In the event of any conflict between Section 3 and/or Section <br />8.5(c} of this Franchise and City ordinance or regulation which <br />addresses usage of the Rights-of-way, the conflicting terms in Section 3 <br />andlor Section 8.5(c) shall be superceded by such City ordinance or <br />regulation, except that Grantee shall not, through application of such <br />City ordinance or regulation of Rights-of-way, be subject to additional <br />burdens with respect to usage of Rights-of-way which exceed burdens <br />on similarly situated Rights-of-way users. <br />CONCLUSION <br />The City does have the authority to require any company, whether it is primarily a <br />telephone or cable company, to locate any facilities used for transporting telecommunications <br />or other voice or data information (i.e., telephone lines or fiber optic cable) in a City provided <br />conduit, if the City establishes a high-density corridor pursuant to Minnesota Rule 7819.0200. <br />However, if the City would like a telephone or cable company to relocate existing <br />telecommunications facilities, the City can only do so when the specific circumstances under <br />the Rule are met. Additionally, although not directly stated in statute or rule, the City would <br />likely have the authority to require any cable company laying fiber optics cable that has the <br />