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HomeMy WebLinkAboutEconomic Advisory Commission - Minutes - 06/26/2007For Reference: *Approved 07/17/07 Minutes City of Fort Collins Economic Advisory Commission Regular Meeting 300 LaPorte Ave June 26, 2007 Christophe Fabvre, Chair 227-0282 Mayor Doug Hutchinson, Council Liaison 416-2154 Mike Freeman, Staff Liaison 416-2253 Erin Gill, Minute taker 221-6505 Commission Members Present Christophe Febvre (Chair), Blue Hovatter, Sarah Hach, Bill Timpson, Stu McMillan, Kevin Shaw Commission Members Absent: Rick Price, Beena Bawa, Jim Clark Guests: Ann Hutchison Staff Present: Tom Vosburg Mike Freeman Erin Gill Agenda Item 1 — Meeting Call to Order Meeting called to order 11:10 a.m. Public Comment None Agenda Item 2 — Approval of Minutes Unanimous approval of minutes for June 6 Agenda Item 3 — Tom Vosburg presentation of City Wi-Fi project Overview Because of the rapid change in technology and business models relating to municipally sponsored wireless networks, we recommend that the City take a three phase approach to responding to emerging wireless network service opportunities. Phase 1 will involve provision of WIFI service for general public internet access in the core part of Old Town including Old Town Square, Oak Street Plaza and Library Park. Phase 2 will involve the planning and feasibility analysis for conducting a more in depth trial of WIMAX and WIFI wireless technologies for general public internet access, remote access to campus network for CSU Students and faculty, commercial provision of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service, as well as Automatic Meter Reading (AMR), Utility Demand Side Management (DSM), improved traffic signal control, Public Safety mobile data communications technologies, and other City operational applications of wireless network access. The City will work in cooperation with CSU in order to determine if there is a significant community benefit for the City to work with CSU in using the university's 2.5 mhz license spectrum (this is required for WIMAX) as part of the wireless network service. CSU will be independently conducting an RFP this summer to determine the economic value of their 2.5 mhz spectrum. The Phase 2 planning work will include an analysis of business models and the feasibility of establishing a City wholesale Telecommunication Utility for the provision of wireless service. Phase 2 planning is expected to take place through out the balance of 2007. We now expect the Phase 2 planning work include consideration of the merits of asking Fort Collins voters to exempt the City from the constraints of Senate bill 152, a State law that limits municipalities ability to provide telecommunications services to citizens. If the City chose to do so, a series of public outreach and hearings required are required by the law as part of a process for City Council to put an item on the November 2007 ballot. Some communities (such as Timnath) have taken this approach. While certain business models may be compatible with Senate Bill 152, others are not; setting SB 152 aside will give the City of Fort Collins the most competitive flexibility in approaching vendor negotiations and in choosing business models. Phase 3 will involve actually conducting the field trial of the selected wireless technologies to verify network performance and determine the operational demands required to provide these kinds of services. The Phase 3 trial area is now expected to include an approximately 2 square mile area between Old Town and CSU (including Beet Street area), as well as some outlying, low density areas outside the City limits but within the area served by Poudre Fire Authority. Phase 3 activities will begin in early 2008. City costs associated with Phase 1 are expected to be minimal; Norte] Networks will provide equipment and engineering assistance to FRII. FRII will design and operate the network, provide ISP services and bandwidth for the trial, as well as all customer support. The City of Fort Collins will grant FRII time -limited pole attachment agreements for the duration of the trail project, assist with transmitter installation, and participate in marketing and service to the public. Phase 2 will be supported by Utility Services monies budgeted in the 2006-2007 Budget for BFO Offer # 365, the offer to develop a feasibility study regarding broadband service provision. Phase 3 may require additional Utility funding be included in the 2008-2009 budget to purchase test AMR and DSM equipment to install in the Phase 3 test area. Proceeding discussion focused on deadlines with transmitter installation for Pilot Test (FRII/Norte] Networks) set for Mid July 2007. Pilot Test is time limited to July 2007 and technologically limited to Old Town. Wi-Fi which is faster than high performing broadband service is not owned by anyone at this point. Agenda Item 4 - Discuss Definition and Components of Economic Health Commission is discussing defining Economic Health for the Work Plan creation with the following thoughts considered: Business Vitality Goal: The City of Fort Collins has a strong, diverse economy with business growth that builds on the area's assets and creates higher value jobs. Workforce Quality Goal: The community has a diverse, well -trained labor supply that fulfill's emlpoyer's staffing needs and one where workers have meaningful employment opportunities. Business Support Goal: The City of Fort Collins has the infrastructure to support business growth and expansion. General consensus among commission supported these three ideas to incorporate into Work Plan with suggestions to add partnerships to list of components of Economic Health. Agenda Item 5 - Work Plan Discussion Discussion ideas brought to point were to look at results of all items proposed to Council for Work Plan. Commission to consider where improvements could be made and advancements in specific sectors i.e. Clean Energy Cluster, specifically from a high level perspective. Work Plan consensus ideas concentrated on referencing EAC SWOT analysis to determine where improvements are needed and strengths within community. Agenda Item 6 Maury Debbie will be present at next EAC July 31s' meeting as an NCEDC guest briefing commission on August 28, 2007 Council presentation.