Timeline of Events
Broadband System Development in City of Salinas
Updated November 1, 2023
April 10, 2014 – the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) approves a grant of $10,640,000 to Sunesys LLC to construct a middle-mile fiber open access fiber network running from Santa Cruz to Soledad. The terms of the grant requires Sunesys to offer specified rates for the first five years following the initial date of service.
July 21, 2015 – the City Council approves Resolution 20810 creating a permitting system to allow for wireless telecommunications facilities to be installed on certain structures within the right-ofway.
September 1, 2015 – working with consultant Tellus Venture Consultants, City staff develops a Preliminary Broadband Plan to help guide future efforts related to development of a broadband network in Salinas.
January 25, 2016 – City releases a Request for Proposals (RFP) seeking private-sector partners to develop additional broadband infrastructure within the City of Salinas, with an emphasis on servicing commercial and industrial users. Ultimately it is determined that none of the responses received would represent a feasible path forward for the development of additional infrastructure.
November 16, 2016 – the City Council adopts Resolution 21080 establishing a Dig Once Policy to support the installation of broadband infrastructure by requiring that broadband infrastructure be installed during certain specified projects and requiring that open trenches be made available for broadband providers.
March 15, 2017 – City and ExteNet Systems (California) LLC enter into a Master License Agreement to allow ExteNet to construct a fiber network available for lease by other entities.
April 2017 – Sunesys LLC (now Crown Castle) begins operation of its middle-mile fiber. Two connection points are established in Salinas at Central Park and Moffett Street. Rates specified in the CPUC grant approval are available for all contracts (regardless of term) initiated by April 2022.
April 17, 2018 – the City Council adopts Resolution 21369 establishing a policy for the installation of wireless telecommunications facilities on City-owned property.
April 2, 2019 – the City Council adopts Resolutions 21580 and 21581 updating the City’s permitting system for the installation of small cell antennas within the right-of-way to align with an Administrative Order issued by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and establishing fees for the processing of applications and site monitoring.
May 24, 2019 – working again with Tellus Venture Associates, the Preliminary Broadband Plan is updated to reflect changes in circumstances over the prior three years.
August 19, 2019 – the City Council adopts Resolution 21692 entering into a Master License Agreement with AT&T to allow the installation of small cell antennas on City-owned infrastructure within the right-of-way.
October 8, 2019 – the City Council adopts Resolution 21716 approving funding for the Downtown Complete Streets Project, which includes the installation of fiber and conduit connecting City Hall, the Public Safety Building at 312 East Alisal Street, and the connection point to the Crown Castle middle-mile network at Central Park.
January 21, 2020 – the City Council adopts Resolution 21779 approving funding for Main Street Streetscape Project, which includes the installation of fiber and conduit along Main Street.
April 14, 2020 – the City Council adopts Resolution 21818 entering into a Reciprocal Dark Fiber Agreement and updating the Master License Agreement with ExteNet to allow for the reciprocal use of each party’s fiber infrastructure as well as allow the installation of small cell antennas on City-owned infrastructure within the right-of-way March 19, 2021 – City releases a new RFP to identify potential private-sector partners to provide low-cost reliable broadband service to the residents and businesses of Salinas.
June 22, 2021 – the City Council adopts Resolution 22138 accepting responsibility for the improvements constructed as part of the Downtown Complete Streets Project, including conduit and fiber.
June 22, 2021 – following staff’s review of the responses to the RFP, the City Council adopts Resolution 22147 to enter into an Exclusive Negotiating Rights Agreement with Underline Infrastructure Services LLC to perform additional due diligence for the construction of a privately-owned open-access fiber network serving the entirety of the City of Salinas.
December 14, 2021 - City Council entered into a License Agreement with Underline Monterey, LLC (“Underline”) to construct and operate an open-access fiber network May 10, 2022 - City Council approved a Master Service Agreement with Underline that would allow the City to potentially obtain broadband services for less cost than it does currently that would include public areas such as parks within the City.
January 10, 2023 - City Council approved the new Microtrenching Standard Plan 16B into the 2008 edition of the City of Salinas that will enable the City of Salinas to provide a standard, quick and cost-effective way to install fiber through microtrenching that conforms to the new law.
February 21, 2023 – City applied for and was awarded $470,304 of Local Agency Technical Assistance Grant (LATA) to develop the Salinas Broadband Master Plan and Alisal Neighborhood Broadband Fiber Network Design.
April 4, 2023 - City of Salinas entered into an Agreement with Kimley Horn to develop the Salinas Broadband Master Plan and Alisal Neighborhood Broadband Fiber Network Design (design only no construction).
April 2023 – Staff met with Underline CEO Robert Thompson in person to discuss current status and address concerns brought up relating to Salinas Broadband Master Plan and Alisal Neighborhood Broadband Fiber Network Design.
June 2023 – City staff determined collaboration between Kimley Horn and Underline would be beneficial to expediate the Fiber Design initiating in the East Side of Salinas as originally planned in both Agreement with Underline and Kimley Horn.
Current – Staff continues to work with Underline to refine barriers relating technical items regarding permitting, restoration standards, and other crucial items.