Title
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE PROVISION OF CITY BROADBAND SERVICES AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO SET RATES THEREFOR; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
Executive Summary: This ordinance authorizes staff to proceed with implementation of City broadband services as well as give the City Manager authorization to establish rates to be charged to broadband customers.
Body
Legislative History
Resolution 14-122 (passed October 1, 2014) authorized a professional services contract with Magellan Advisors for a Broadband Needs Assessment and Business Plan.
Resolution 15-31 (passed March 3, 2015) authorized a professional services contract with Magellan Advisors for the Deployment Phase of the Broadband Project.
Resolution 15-78 (passed June 2, 2015) authorized professional services contract with Magellan as well as procurement of equipment from various vendors for implementation of the Broadband Project.
Purpose & Explanation
The purpose of this legislation is to authorize city staff to proceed with the broadband implementation plan as identified by Magellan. We’ve identified 3 to 4 beta customers in the West Park/Executive Parkway office park on Boston Mills Rd. for a pilot phase which will allow us to ensure the system operates properly.
Once the beta customers are functioning, we plan to expand the pilot project area to the remainder of the West Park/Executive Parkway office park area. After completion of the pilot, the next phase will be to install fiber in the downtown and Rt 91 corridor during 2016.
This legislation also authorizes the City Manager to establish rates for voice and data plans to be charged to customers. Giving the City Manager this flexibility will allow us to react more quickly to changes in the market as well as negotiate rates with customers without having to come back to Council each time. We will establish and negotiate rates within the parameters of the pro forma to allow us to meet revenue projections.
Timing Considerations
We plan to have the beta customers connected by the end of September 2015 and expansion of the pilot phase by the end of 2015.
Fiscal Impact
Currently Budgeted
Supplemental Appropriation Required
X Appropriation Not Required.
Recommendation
Suggested Action
Staff recommends Council approve the legislation with emergency language to allow staff to proceed with the project and meet the target dates.
Submitted by,
Jane Howington, City Manager
Jeff Knoblauch, Finance Director
Bill Hilbish, IS Manager