HomeMy WebLinkAbout05.18.15 Work Session Minutes Council Work Session
Minutes
May 18,2015
Mayor Larson called the work session to order at 5:05 p.m.
Present: Larson,Bartholomay,Bonar, Donnelly,Pitcher
Also Present: David McKnight, City Administrator;Adam Kienberger, Community
Development Director;Brenda Wendlandt,Human Resources Director; Cynthia
Muller, Executive Assistant
MOTION by Bartholomay, second by Pitcher to approve the agenda. APIF,MOTION
CARRIED.
Dakota County Broadband Project Update
Ms. Lisa Alfson,Dakota County Community Development Agency and Mr.Craig Ebeling, CDA
Consultant presented a final draft of the broadband study. The idea would be to use existing
publicly owned network components together to provide better access for governmental
operations. Once that is done,potentially better and cheaper internet access could be provided to
businesses and residents. Mr.Ebeling explained the core network and the design. The role of
government would be as a collaborator and partner,not as a competitor to internet providers.
Council asked why government doesn't use private providers. Mr.Ebeling noted very little has
been done to improve fiber optic connections throughout the county by private companies.
Private companies cannot make that large of an expenditure when they are a publicly traded
company. They have to show a positive return on investment. This does not advance economic
development. There is no incumbent provider in the United States today that has a plan for
getting fiber to the home. Council noted Dakota County has fallen behind Scott County and we
are having difficulty competing with them because of a lack of fiber.
Farmington owns five miles of fiber for city use. Dakota County will be adding 60 miles of fiber
this year. Mr.Ebeling felt it is nearly a certainty that we will not have franchise provided
institutional networks to us at no cost anymore.
The recommendation is to invest in an enhanced and consolidated institutional network. We
should do it via a wholesale, open access,multi-service business model. We should implement a
joint powers agreement governance model for both I-Net and C-Net. Construct additional fiber
routes needed for improved connectivity. Once the I-Net is operational, create the C-Net.
The next steps are for partner organizations to prepare a draft framework for the joint powers
agreement. We have to update local elected officials along the way. We have to formulate the
joint powers agreement, consider and adopt the joint powers agreement by the members in the
fall, and then implementation.
Where fiber to the home has been implemented,45%have taken advantage of it.
Council Work Session Minutes
May 18,2015
Page 2
By September the CDA hopes to have the joint powers agreement to Council for consideration.
The agreement is two steps. When you sign it you commit to spending money. Step two is next
winter we obtain a contractor and build connecting strands and get into operation. Next year
government should see a more robust system. Soon after, it will be available to businesses. So
in another year we can provide broadband to businesses.
We do not want to generate revenue to be a competitor. Rates should be set to accomplish the
goal, but not abuse customers. The rate setting authority would be the board of directors.
LOGIS is a long standing joint powers agreement that has network management capabilities.
One idea being considered is we would ask a current JPA to contract with a JPA to provide
operational services. Marketing is needed as broadband is a business retention as well as an
economic development tool. Potential funding should be considered in the 2016 budget.
MOTION by Bartholomay, second by Bonar to adjourn at 6:05 p.m. APIF,MOTION
CARRIED.
Respectfully submitted,
Cynthia Muller
Executive Assistant