HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 12/22/2020 - CITY OF FORT COLLINS CONNEXION UPDATEDATE:
STAFF:
December 22, 2020
Colman Keane, Broadband Director
Ginny Sawyer, Policy and Project Manager
Erin Shanley, Broadband Marketing Manager
WORK SESSION ITEM
City Council
SUBJECT FOR DISCUSSION
City of Fort Collins Connexion Update.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The purpose of this item is to provide an overview and update of the Connexion municipal fiber buildout.
GENERAL DIRECTION SOUGHT AND SPECIFIC QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED
What questions does Council have for the Connexion team?
BACKGROUND / DISCUSSION
The City is well into the buildout of a voter -approved municipal fiber to the home capital project. The creation of
Connexion began over 6-years ago as a conversation among community partners and City leadership to establish
resiliency and an innovative platform for all residents.
This buildout will involve the installation of 5 million feet of fiber adjacent to over 77,000 households and
businesses. Since construction began in late 2018, Connexion now has residential and business customers, a
24/7 technical support team, almost half of the city under design and/or construction, and new products ready to
launch.
Connexion is currently in the tenuous position of ensuring competitive stewardship while meeting the needs and
desires of residents. It is anticipated that Connexion will be able to provide more information with greater
confidence regarding buildout details by the second quarter of 2021.
2020 Highlights
The design-build construction technique involves 3-main phases which occur in a mostly simultaneous fashion.
The City has neighborhoods that are being designed, neighborhoods that are in construction, and neighborhoods
that have service available. Currently, the majority of neighborhoods are in either a design or construction phase.
Activities throughout the process include:
• Design
• Design review and approval
• Utility locates
• Boring new conduit where needed
• Vault installation
• Pulling fiber
• Restoration for asphalt, concrete, irrigation, and vegetation
• Quality control
• Release for service to customers
As the build continues, processes and timelines are becoming more consistent and predictable with the average
time between locates and having service available around 9 months.
December 22, 2020 Page 2
Progress and production at all phases has been maintained throughout the pandemic. Vendor partners and City
staff worked collaboratively very early on to ensure that safety protocols were in place and that all staff have
access to appropriate personal protection equipment (PPE.) These protocols extend to in-home installation and
COVID-symptom surveys to ensure the safety of installers and residents.
COVID also impacted marketing activities and equipment procurement. With the limit ations on community events
and other opportunities to engage residents, staff shifted focus to sponsorships and heavy promotion and
participation at drive-in events. Supply chain impacts were identified early on and addressed to minimize any
impacts to build production rates.
Staff continues to be pleased and encouraged by the continued community enthusiasm and the customer base
where service is available. Connexion now has both residential and large and small business customers.
One area of focus continues to be multifamily dwelling units (MDUs) and homeowner associations (HOAs) with
private infrastructure (typically irrigation related). MDUs require Right of Entry agreements to install fiber and
provide service. This spring, Connexion did a major push to identify and contact HOAs to provide information on
the build process and HOA responsibilities to locate any infrastructure within the right -of-way. Connexion, in
partnership with Loveland Pulse, hosted an informational session on the new Colorado 811 r equirements for
private locates on December 8.
Since the inception of broadband conversations, two items have remained at the forefront: digital equity and
future possibilities. The City’s Digital Equity program is on -track to offer full 1-gig service and WIFI at a reduced
price of $19.95. Staff are working with local non-profit housing organizations to be able to engage customers in
early 2021.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Powerpoint Presentation (PDF)
City Council Work SessionDecember 22, 2020ATTACHMENT 1
Purpose21. Review and Background2. Share progress and outlook going forward3. Answer questions4. Looking to the futureATTACHMENT 1
3ATTACHMENT 1
Building a Gig City 4Focus on delivering community-centric outcomesATTACHMENT 1
Future Proofing Fort Collins 5• Drive and manage technological change• Increase development opportunities• Improve business services performance and costeffectiveness• Contribute to a high quality of life• Enhance the community as a center of innovationoBetter support for the emerging “creativeclass”oEnhanced school technology programsoFlexibility for a remote work forceoSmart City adoption (IT automation,machinelearningand the internet of things).ATTACHMENT 1
The Build6• $140 million design/build• 77,000 households• 5 million feet of underground fiber• Gig internet + television + phoneATTACHMENT 1
Overall Schedule7DesignConstructionAvailable20182019202020212022Atlantic Engineering Group (AEG) workConnexion Service AvailableOngoing2023ATTACHMENT 1
Fiber Areas Update Q3 20208Pre‐Construction147 41%Under Construction150 42%Construction Complete60 17%Total Fiber Areas35741%42%17%Pre‐ConstructionUnder ConstructionConstruction CompleteATTACHMENT 1
Fiber Areas Completed9ATTACHMENT 1
Total Fiber Pulled10ATTACHMENT 1
Fiber Areas Update Q3 202011ATTACHMENT 1
12First Signs Connexion is Coming to Your Neighborhood• Utilities locates: flags, water soluble paint• Door Hangers placed by crews 48 hours prior to work in a neighborhood• Door knocking prior to machinery set up in right-of-way in front of property• Notifications on Nextdoor.com• Average time from construction start to availability is 9 monthsATTACHMENT 1
13ATTACHMENT 1
14100% Underground ConstructionATTACHMENT 1
15Construction VideoATTACHMENT 1
COVID Response16ATTACHMENT 1
Homeowners Associations & Multi-Dwelling Units17• Colorado 811 Webinar December 8th on private locate updates• Right of Entry Agreements• HOA Contact form at fcconnexion.com/hoa• Contact: Julianna Potts sales@fcconnexion.comATTACHMENT 1
Our Future18• Complete in 2022• Delight our customers• Exceed market share goals• Build on this new platform• Smart CitiesATTACHMENT 1
Council Questions191. What questions do Councilmembers have for Connexion? ATTACHMENT 1