STAFF REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
DATE: Regular Meeting of June 27, 2023
TO: Mayor and Members of the City Council
VIA: Dante Hall, City Manager
SUBMITTED BY: Michael Roberts, Public Works Director/City Engineer SUBJECT: Annual Fiber Optic Broadband Report
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Receive report.
BACKGROUND:
The City Council has recognized the importance of providing high speed broadband access to local residents and businesses. New developments provide an opportunity to provide fiber to the premises (“FTTP”) during initial construction. Consistent with Council policy, staff has made it a priority for advanced broadband infrastructure to be included in development plans and approvals. By way of example, conditions of approval for the Bayfront Development/Ledcor projects require provision of underground conduit to allow for cost effective build-out of fiber infrastructure. High speed data transmission capabilities are believed to be an important consideration for prospective tenants who need or desire high speed data capacity for business or personal needs.
ANALYSIS:
Staff remains vigilant for cost effective opportunities to build a future fiber backbone. As noted in the Fiscal Impact section below, $50,000 for joint trench fiber optic infrastructure is available at the City Manager’s discretion to ensure the City can be responsive as opportunities occur in the future. Such opportunities could occur during street excavation projects involving repair, replacement, or installation of underground utilities including water, sewer, gas and electricity infrastructure. As part of this process, Council will be updated any time conduit or other fiber infrastructure is installed.
FISCAL IMPACT:
As directed by Council at their July 26, 2016 meeting, $50,000 from the Capital Projects Fund has been set aside for the installation of fiber optic broadband infrastructure within the City rights-of-way as cost effective opportunities arise. To date, opportunities such as joint trench installations or utility borings in streets have not proved fruitful and the $50,000 remains available.