HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 11Memorandum
To:
Mayor and City Council Members
From:
Allyn Kuennen, Assistant City Administrator
Sue Palm, Communications Manager
Copy:
Justin Miller, City Administrator
Date:
February 20, 2015
Subject:
Cable Board/ Telecommunications Advisory Group.
City of Lakeville
Communications
The City Council has directed staff to investigate the creation of an advisory group to oversee possible
telecommunications needs and opportunities within the City of Lakeville that would replace the
existing Cable Board. Over the past several weeks, an internal working group consisting of
administration, communications, IT and engineering staff have been meeting to develop options and
a general outline in the creation of this new advisory board.
During these meetings it was found the City has previously initiated or been included in several
studies/reports regarding the potential expansion of the existing telecommunications network
including the expansion of the existing broadband or fiber infrastructure network throughout the City.
Additionally, the Dakota County CDA has recently completed a study to investigate the potential for a
county wide government fiber network (I -Net) with the potential to expand it into a commercial
network (C -Net). The CDA study is being further reviewed by the Dakota County City
Administrator/Manger group to determine if a joint powers agreement can be developed that could
provide long term support and planning for cities within Dakota County for the continued expansion
of their telecommunications networks within each city.
With the understanding the City Council wishes to create a "telecommunication" advisory group and
considering the multiple studies and reports that have been or are in the process of being completed,
staff submits the following options for the City Council's consideration:
Short-term Research Group w/ the Option to Create an Advisory Board
Develop a short-term (twelve to eighteen months) research group of community members
and staff to work together to review and consider existing telecommunications efforts, studies
and reports from throughout Dakota County. This group would be responsible for defining
long term goals, priorities and strategies regarding the use, expansion and specifications of
the telecommunication infrastructure. The resulting plan could then be implemented with
the use of an internal telecommunications group consisting of staff or an advisory group
consisting of members of the community supported by staff — organized similarly to the
Planning Commission or Economic Development Committee.
Creation of a Typical Advisory Board
Develop an advisory board of community members that are supported by staff. Staff would
work with this group to review and consider existing telecommunications efforts, studies and
reports from throughout Dakota County; define long term goals, priorities and strategies
regarding the use and expansion of the telecommunication infrastructure. This group would
meet regularly or as needed to consider and make recommendations to the City Council
regarding on-going efforts or proposals for the expansion of the City's telecommunications
infrastructure.
Technical Advisory Committee
The committee would function the same as an advisory board, but would consist of City,
County and school district staff. They would be responsible for reviewing the existing
telecommunications efforts, studies and reports from throughout Dakota County, define long
term goals, priorities, strategies and specifications regarding the use and expansion of the
telecommunication infrastructure. This group would meet regularly or as needed to consider
and make recommendations to the City Council regarding on-going efforts or proposals for
the expansion of the City's telecommunications infrastructure.
Future of Current Cable Board
In each of the scenarios listed above the current Cable Board would be maintained, with their current
term limits extended, until the current cable franchise agreement is completed and then the Cable
Board would be either eliminated and their duties absorbed into the new group or reduced to
meeting quarterly or as needed to consider issues related to the cable franchise agreement.
Responsibilities of the New Research Group/Advisory Board or Technical Committee
Staff's exploration of this new group has developed the following potential responsibilities, tasks or
goals:
• Review current and existing plans and initiatives regarding the telecommunications
infrastructure within the City and County.
• Review potential partnerships with other public and private entities to assess shared
opportunities of all forms of telecommunications - telephone, radio, television, and data
transfer.
• Review and assess the needs of the school districts, businesses, home owners, government
organizations, institutions and the development community to promote continued growth
and investment within the City.
• Review ways to build on or leverage the City's public infrastructure for the expansion of the
telecommunications network.
• Review City and private construction projects for possible fiber installation opportunities.
• Review a framework to guide policies, projects, and future initiatives. Include all forms of
telecommunications: Telephone, radio and television, and data transfer that can grow with
new or unforeseen technologies.
• Review cell tower and wireless antenna siting policies and assess potential opportunities.
• Review five-year plans for engineering, utilities, and IT projects that might offer opportunities
for fiber installation.
• Review potential costs and funding opportunities for the expansion of fiber and
telecommunications network.
• Review changes in telecommunications laws.
• Review and monitor current Charter Communications franchise agreement.
Staff will be available at the February 23rd City Council work session to review the above information
and to discuss the options for developing a new telecommunications advisory group. If you have any
questions before the work session, please contact us.
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