Madison, WI Header
File #: 40237    Version: 1 Name: Digital Divide Pilot Project
Type: Resolution Status: Passed
File created: 9/29/2015 In control: BOARD OF ESTIMATES (ended 4/2017)
On agenda: 10/20/2015 Final action: 10/20/2015
Enactment date: 10/23/2015 Enactment #: RES-15-00828
Title: Awarding a contract to Restech Services, LLC for a 2 year pilot program to provide fiber to the home pursuant to the “Bridging the Digital Divide” RFP, and authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to enter into a contract for the pilot program.
Sponsors: Paul R. Soglin, Paul E. Skidmore, Maurice S. Cheeks, Samba Baldeh
Fiscal Note
The 2015 Information Technology Adopted Capital Budget includes $150,000 in the Residential Internet Access Assistance project number 10 (810779). Funds are available to build a fiber network for the Darbo-Worthington ($65,000) and Kennedy Heights ($34,000). The approximate cost for Allied ($215,000) and Brentwood ($197,000) is $412,000. Funding for these areas may be pursued through an amendment to the 2016 Executive Capital Budget.

The City pays maintenance fees to the MUFN Consortium for the use of fiber. It is estimated that this amendment will result in additional maintenance fees of $4,800 per year. The network will be built in 2016 and, therefore, a prorated amount for the use of the fiber will be charged in 2016. The fees are paid out of the Traffic Engineering budget and are anticipated to be minimal in 2016.

Title
Awarding a contract to Restech Services, LLC for a 2 year pilot program to provide fiber to the home pursuant to the “Bridging the Digital Divide” RFP, and authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to enter into a contract for the pilot program.
Body
WHEREAS, the Digital Technology Committee (DTC) was formed in February, 2014 to address the approach to utilizing available funding to provide internet service to challenged neighborhoods; and

WHEREAS, the DTC discussed multiple facets of this issue, invited input from the public, UW Madison, Madison Metropolitan School District, city staff and other parties; and

WHEREAS, the committee conducted a pilot site selection process utilizing data from Neighborhood Resource Team areas, census data, proximity to city infrastructure such as fiber optic communications lines and other information; and

WHEREAS, this process identified four potential pilot sites to be used for an initial pilot project; and

WHEREAS, the DTC solicited industry input by issuing a Request for Information (RFI) to potential vendors in order to obtain information on potential approaches and technologies; and

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