This is an Open Thread / Coffee Hour and all topics of conversation are welcome. Today's suggested topic is digital infrastructure. Vallejo is in the process of preparing to use every opportunity to install conduit for optical fiber through out the city. This is an open trench that was dug to replace a water main to a theater. I'm pleased to say the city used this opportunity to place a conduit in it. More about this beyond the fold.
What is for dinner? How are you doing? What is on your mind. If you are new to Street Prophets please introduce yourself beyond the fold in a comment. This is an Open Thread / Coffee Hour and all topics of conversation are welcome. What is your city doing to upgrade its digital infrastructure?
Below is a picture of the new fiber conduit inside the theater next to the new water main pipe. What is remarkable is this fiber conduit was installed at the last minute at the insistance of our "fiber committee" of which I'm a member of. It took a little arm twisting as the City of Vallejo only just authorized researching and drafting the new new ordinances. See the introduction below of the recommendation to City Council from our public committee and City Staff. (Just the introduction. The full document is much longer.)
Even though we had not even started the process of doing the recommendations below every one involved thought we should take advantage of the open trench and put the conduit in. The extra cost for this was under $500.00. Had we not had to replace the water main the cost of just putting in the conduit alone would have been over $10,000.00
RECOMMENDATION Receive update and provide feedback on City Manager’s next steps to further develop strategies to leverage the City of Vallejo’s existing Traffic Signal Fiber Network and enhance Vallejo’s economy by improving access to high-speed broadband technology. Specifically, staff is moving forward with four key actions:
- Hire consultants to assist staff with developing a Master Plan and implementation strategy to be presented to the City Council for consideration.
- Contract with a municipal fiber design-build firm to research, develop and draft a Fiber Optic Master Plan for the City of Vallejo.
- Enter into an agreement with an experienced municipal fiber consultant to guide and assist City staff through the strategic planning process.
- Develop a joint trench ordinance and fiber upgrade policy, and return to the City Council for consideration.
- Engage with the City of Benicia to explore a cooperative/regional strategy for municipal fiber deployment.
- Join Next Century Cities, a national cooperative of municipalities that promote improved, highspeed internet services as a critical piece of infrastructure for growth.
REASON FOR RECOMMENDATION The City Council identified a City high-speed fiber optic network as a priority in March 2014. City staff began to explore possible strategies to leverage and/or expand Vallejo’s existing fiber traffic signal network, including engaging an advisory board of community stakeholders. Prior to the City initiating a municipally-owned and operated fiber network, these four actions will provide the following benefits:
- Minimize long-term costs for City infrastructure construction, expansion and maintenance
- Identify a comprehensive phased implementation plan(s) that improves high-speed internet access in Vallejo
- Protect existing public assets and promote public interests in developing critical technology infrastructure
- Maximize the City’s strategic flexibility and policy options for future technology evolution
- Enhance coordination between City departments and between public and private entities
- Build the expertise and capacity of City staff with regard to municipal fiber technology
- Continue to develop and cultivate the City’s foundation for economic development and growth
The actions described in this report do not commit the City of Vallejo to deploying or operating a municipally-owned fiber network. However, these steps will put the City in a position to systematically assess all possible options, laying the groundwork for the City to be able to meet the growing service needs of its residents in coming years. These actions are contingent upon a mid-year Measure B budget request of $150,000, and are a precursor to an anticipated FY 2015-16 Measure B budget request to reserve funds for possible project implementation. Link to PDF of document: Vallejo Municipal Fiber Update
The City Council and the citizens of Vallejo are 100% behind these projects. And as things evolve I will be reporting on our progress. I have a website that I'm documenting our progress on the project and here is the link: http://www.eVallejo.org It is a little bit out of date, but the map in the main menu is current. Today's question is: What is your city doing to upgrade its digital infrastructure?