Item 15 - Allocation of Funds for Fiber Optic Network Feasibility Study
AGENDA REPORT SUMMARY
DATE:
Honorable ...ayor and Members of the City COurl~11
James L. Bowersox, City Man*
John D. Fitch, Assistant City ManageA)'
Robert L. Thomas, Director of Commun'Ry Service~ ~
Patrick R. Foley, Principal Management Analyst~
June 6, 1995
TO:
FROM:
INITIATED BY:
SUBJECT:
Allocation of Funds for a Fiber Optic Network Feasibility Study
ABSTRACT
Through the City's IS-year franchise with Cox Cable, Poway is allocated one mile of
cable plant each year. The cable plant is provided to the City at no cost and is to be
installed at locations determined by the City. The staff is recommending that the City
Council authorize the appropriation of $6,500 for a feasibility study to determine the
telecommunication transmission requirements of the City in the next two to five years,
and evaluate the economics of using the mileage bank to construct a fiber optic network
linking City facilities.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Some form of CEQA review may be necessary depending on the location of the fiber optic
network.
FISCAL IMPACT
The $6,500 for the feasibility study will have to be appropriated from the City's
Unallocated General Fund Reserve.
ADDITIONAL PUBLIC NOTIFICATION AND CORRESPONDENCE
Additional notification sent to Gordon R. Gordetsky Consultants.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council authorize the appropriation of $6,500 to hire
Gordon R. Gordetsky Consultants to conduct a feasibility study to determine the
telecommunication transmission requirements of the City in the next two to five years,
and evaluate the economics of using the mileage bank to construct a fiber optic network
linking City facilities, and authorize the Cit Mana er to x
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AGENDA REPORrr
CITY OF POW A Y
This report is included on the Consent Calendar. There will be no separate discussion of the report prior to approval by the
City Council unless members of the Council. staff or public request It to be removed from the Consent Calendar and
discussed separately. If you wilt'! to have this report pulled for discussion, please fill out a slip indicating the report number
and give it to the City Clerk priar to the beginning of the City Council meeting.
TO:
FROM:
INITIATED BY:
Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
James L. Bowersox, City Mana~
John D. Fitch, Assistant City ManagerC1)Jr
Robert L. Thomas, Director of Communit~ servi~e~~
Patrick R. Foley, Principal Management AnalYS~
June 6, 1995
DATE:
SUBJECT:
Allocation of Funds for a Fiber Optic Network Feasibility
Study
BACKGROUND
In November 1992, the City authorized a new IS-year franchise with Cox Cable
San Diego, Inc. Under the terms of the franchise, Cox will provide, at no
cost to the City, one mile of cable plant each year. The cable will be
installed at locations determined by the City.
At the direction of the City Council, the Community Services staff in late
1993 began discussions with Cox to extend cable services to the Lake Poway
facilities. The cost for extending the cable 3,300 feet to the lake
facilities was approximately $31,234. Based on this estimate, a mile of cable
plant (5,280 linear feet) would cost $52,BOO; approximately $10 per linear
foot. Under the City's mileage bank provisions in the cable franchise, Cox
will extend services to the lake facilities at no cost to the City.
FINDINGS
Cox Cable recently completed upgrading its cable system with fiber optics.
The staff has been discussing with Cox Cable not only constructing a fiber
optic network at Lake Poway but also a plan for constructing a fiber optic
network linking all City facilities. Other cities throughout the state are
also considering fiber optic networks to link their city facilities and reduce
their telephone costs.
A fiber optic network may save the City a significant amount of money for the
current phone needs as well as meet the City's future needs to interconnect
City facilities for computer networking and emergency services response. The
Cit 's current tele hone ex enses have dram i incr
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Agenda Report
June 6, 1995
Page 2
with Pacific Bell's new rates. The charge for Poway's main number (748-6600)
has increased by $1,173.70 per month. Traffic signal circuity went from
$940.59 to SI,745.38 per month and telemetry circuits went from $921.46 to
$1,984.21.
Staff has solicited a proposal from our telephone consultant, Gordon R.
Gordetsky to conduct a feasibility study of~a fiber optic network linking City
facilities. The study will also consider linking the Poway schools, library,
and future connections to the hospital and other facilities. Under the
proposal submitted by Mr. Gordetsky, the tasks that would be performed
included:
1. Determine the telecommunications transmission requirements for Poway in
the next 2 to 5 years and compare the City's fiber optic network
features and costs with comparable network services provided by Pacific
Bell or some other telecommunications company.
2. Specify the network design and operations requirements to support
additional public or private facilities such as PUSD, Pomerado Hospital,
and the South Poway Business Park.
3. In determining the telecommunications requirements of the City,
telemetry and wireless communications technology will be considered and
evaluated.
These tasks would be performed by the City's telephone consultant, Gordon R.
Gordetsky, for $6,500. Staff is recommending that the City Council authorize
the appropriation of $6,500 to conduct the feasibility study.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Some form of CEQA review may be necessary depending on the location of the
fiber optic network.
FISCAL IMPACT
The $6,500 for the feasibility study will have to be appropriated from the
City's Unallocated General Fund Reserve.
ADDITIONAL PUBLIC NOTIFICATION AND CORRESPONDENCE
Additional notification sent to Gordon R. Gordetsky Consultants.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council authorize the appropriation of $6,500
to hire Gordon R. Gordetsky Consultants to conduct a feasibility study to
determine the telecommunication transmission requirements of the City in the
next two to five years, and evaluate the economics of using the mileage bank
to construct a fiber optic network linking City facilities., and authorize the
City Manager to execute an agreement.
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