Council authorizes right‑of‑way agreement to advance Tempe fiber; item described as 'shovel in the ground'

Tempe — The Tempe City Council on Tuesday authorized the mayor to execute a wired telecommunications license and right‑of‑way use agreement with Cablevision Lightpath LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, a move council members and staff framed as the first tangible step toward citywide fiber infrastructure.

Councilmember McKittig pulled the item from the consent agenda to highlight the agreement and to thank staff and the city manager for work that made the moment possible. “What this represents is a proverbial shovel in the ground to bringing fiber to the City of Tempe,” McKittig said, urging the council to approve the contract.

Councilmembers praised the item. “I’m really happy about this finally being done…it’s gonna be a huge benefit for our residents,” one councilmember said from the dais. The ordinance authorizing the mayor to execute the license and agreement passed unanimously, 7–0.

The agreement grants a right‑of‑way license to Cablevision Lightpath LLC to use city rights‑of‑way for wired telecommunications infrastructure. Staff thanked those who worked on the agreement in public remarks; the council did not discuss specifics of rollout, timeline or cost in the meeting record.