New fiber internet opportunities coming to St. Joseph

By Riley Funk

The St. Joseph City Council approved a bill Monday night to expand fiber internet availability in the city, but some discussion ensued about the upkeep of current projects.

The bill proposed an agreement with Metronet business to bring more fiber-based internet to the area.

Councilman Marty Novak voted in favor of the ordinance but was vocal about concerns about various fiber projects around town. For companies coming into town, Novak said it’s important they have availability to area customers.

“It’s important for these fiber companies to be, if they’re going to do business in St. Joe, they need to have a presence here in St. Joe,” Novak said. “That means business offices so people have someplace to go talk to these companies about problems if indeed they do have problems.”

Metronet representatives answered questions and summarized plans to open a public office space in St. Joseph sometime in the near future.

Novak was vocal about the various construction areas around town in relation to fiber cables getting installed. He said there is a need for accountability with upkeep of construction zones after the work is completed.

“We’ve got massive construction going on throughout the town and it doesn’t slow down in the wintertime. Consequently, there’s some things that don’t get finished as quickly as they should,” Novak said. “The accountability is making sure it’s done, finished correctly and to the satisfaction of the people whose property that it impacts. I think that’s paramount.”

Novak said fiber internet coming into the city is good for resident consumers, especially with many options being available. He said with more options being available, there are challenges in Novak’s eyes because fiber companies coming into the area is a newer thing.

“Overall, the consumers are going to win. The problem is growing is not easy. There’s always growing pains and that’s kind of what we’re encountering right now,” Novak said.

The ordinance was passed with an 8-0-0 vote.

Other notes:

The city council voted 7-1-0 to delay the vote to fund projects to promote riverfront tourism in the amount of $1,231,000.

Funding in the amount of $53,585.48 was transferred from ARPA funds to purchase additional various new apparatus fire equipment.

The next city council meeting will take place at City Hall on March 4, 2024.