The Parlier City Council voted on Nov. 12 to continue consideration of the city's contract with Unwired Broadband to its Dec. 10 meeting and to authorize the city engineer to monitor the contractor's work at the contractor's expense.

John Majors, vice president of operations for Unwired Broadband, told the council his company has two contract crews and two internal crews restoring hardscape and softscape across Parlier and said about 4,600 feet of drilling remain. "We have these crews dedicated a 100% to restoration," Majors said, and described the temporary asphalt patches as interim measures to avoid tripping hazards until final restoration crews complete work.

Residents at the meeting — including Barbara Jean and others — urged the council to stop the contract after repeated incidents. "They have broken water lines, sewer lines, and they continue to work," Barbara Jean said, and said she had reported multiple incidents where lines were struck and residents were left without water. Council members and staff also documented repeated neighborhood complaints about open holes, loose gravel and unfinished sidewalk work.

Staff and the city attorney presented two legal options: (1) terminate for cause, which requires strong documentation and risks litigation, or (2) terminate without cause and allow a no‑fault wrap‑up period (explained as typically 180 days/six months) that reduces immediate legal risk. The recommended, lower‑risk option was a limited last chance: continue the matter to Dec. 10 with a condition that Unwired pay for a city inspector to be on site to monitor crews, and return to council for a final determination.

Councilmember (speaker 2) moved to adopt staff's recommendation and the motion was seconded by Councilmember Diego Garza. Roll call vote recorded: Councilmember Jenny Molina — No; Mayor Pro Tem Sabrina Rodriguez — Yes; Mayor Alma Beltran — Yes; Councilmember Diego Garza — Yes. The motion carried (3 yes, 1 no as recorded).

What it means: Unwired will have until Dec. 10 to complete the remaining drilling and to continue restoration work while an inspector (paid by the contractor) monitors operations. If staff documents continuing failures, the council retains options including pursuing termination under contract terms and possible litigation.

Details and commitments: Majors said the company has about 4,600 feet left to drill and roughly 200,000 feet of installed conduit citywide; staff said a public works inspector could be placed to monitor crews for roughly an 8‑hour day and that the inspector cost would be charged to the contractor. The city attorney reiterated that termination without cause is legally safer but carries a wrap‑up period; termination for cause requires strong documentation of contractual failure and can lead to litigation.

Next steps: Item to return for final action on Dec. 10 with a progress update and staff documentation of repairs and any remaining deficiencies.