09/22/2006 - City Council Communications Committee
411~ ciety of EaRan demo
To: ADMINISTRATOR HEDGES
COUNCILMEMBER CARLSON
CONCILMEMBER MAGUIRE
From: TOM GARRISON
Communications Director
Date: September 22, 2006
Subject: SEPTEMBER 26thCOMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE MEETING
AGENDA & BACKGROUND INFORMATION / 4:30 p.m. Conf.
Rm. 2A
FACTS
• On June 13, 2006 the Eagan Technology Working Group presented its findings to a work
session of the City Council with respect to "the highest and best use" of the installed 11.5
mile conduit route running through southern Eagan.
• The Council also heard survey results from nearly 5,000 Eagan residents including
findings that approximately one quarter of Eagan residents feel available Internet speeds
in the city are too slow for their current needs.
• In recent economic development discussions it is becoming evident that technology is
one of the new "differentiators" in company location decisions, just as good roads, sewer
& water and electrical service are also ways in which prospective cities are evaluated.
• U.S. domestic broadband speeds are typically in the 1.5 megabits per second range for
DSL and 4-8 megabits per second for cable modem speeds, while the emerging world
standard according to industry analysts and testimony gathered by the Technology
Working Group is a minimum 100 megabits per second (Mops).
• Indeed, the Gartner Group, the world's largest and most respected technology research
firm says, "100-Mbps connections are likely to be the entry point... [but that] point is
likely to move to 1 Gigabit per second in a few years, A shift to 10 Gigabits per second
in a decade is possible..."
• The Eagan City Council and policy makers in many other localities nationwide are facing
decisions about what role-if any-government should play in deciding their city's
technology future and technology goals.
• Do they seek to be world class? Do they wish to leave it to the private sector? Do they
seek public/private partnerships? These are among the many questions.
• The Working Group seeks the guidance of the City Council in sorting through the public
policy issues, and determining certain guiding principles regarding citywide technology
goals.
• The matter was referred to the Communications Committee of the City Council to learn
about the policy issues, to offer recommendations, and to suggest the manner and method
in which the subject is brought back before the entire City Council.
• It is hoped the Committee can help define a decision-making process that involves the
public (residents & businesses), service providers, and technology experts.
Attachments
• Proposed agenda
• Seattle policy document & Almere, Netherlands article
• Summary of Eagan Tech Working Group survey findings & recommendations
City of Eap
Communications Committee Meeting
September 26, 2006
Proposed Agenda
1. Discussion of Guiding Principles: .
A. Where does Eagan want to be in terms of technology
competitiveness?
II. What other cities are doing
A. Almere, Netherlands
B. Seattle
C. Portland
D. Minneapolis
E. St. Louis Park
F. Burnsville
III.Specific recommendations of the task force
A. 11.5 mile conduit route
B. City code changes
C. Taking advantage of open trench opportunities
IV. Desired committee information and process to bring
back to full City Council
V. Other updates if time allows
A. New Council photos
B. Web site usability study
VI. Adjourn
Eagan Eyes Future as an E-Community?
EW,FA~i
Some 40 local business and education leaders just "about what
attended a "High Speed Eagan" conference to technology allows h
discuss how to keep companies, residents, govern- for, but about' p
ment and schools competitive in the future, partic- what services
ularly with world-class connections to the Internet. and bandwidth a
residents want" at $ r
The event, held 19 at Thomson West, and C~=t
July Architecture in Almere, Netherlands- . ~ ,
hosted by the Eagan Technology Working Group competitive prices.f r
(an advisory panel to the City Council), included Working with corn- c . Tli pli
a video conference with an innovative city in the panies like Cisco and li LL Cl
Netherlands that is a member of the International Samsung, Almere has t ;sous d°
installed very high speed
,
broadband, faster than dcterXi
relatively new 30-year-city about 60 miles from x
Amsterdam that is roughly 2.5 times the popula- typical American residen- y. in" fr 9
tial Internet speeds. On the business side, that has }
tion of Eagan. -
already resulted in more than ten new companies
Their Internet or "I-vision" for the future is to and 500 new jobs in one year and the preservation Laf <<z
have the high-speed infrastructure to support the of another 200 jobs in Almere. to`4 _(Vi(
"smart" homes, businesses and city of the future.
01
In this post 9/11 world, imagine facilities using "One of the things we have ]earned [through I:r.., - 4
the Technology Working Group] is that the U.S. tic ; rl
higher security smart IDs with automated ways to I
recognize identities based on a person's face, voice, appears to be falling behind other countries in avail- t, nt
eyes or handwriting. Imagine as you begin your able technology," said Northern Dakota County
commute home, being able to tell your house to Chambers of Commerce President Ruthe Batulis. on P'. i
cool itself down or radio frequency smart tags in "It's exciting to hear what others on the forefront of I r c
each appliance conveying its operational status in technology are accomplishing," she said, "and how a , F11 E
advance of needing repair, these technologies could change the way we live
and work." The Eagan. Technology Working Group, p1l IQ(,
In Almere, enhanced upload and download speeds made up of some of the top business and technol- f i IT
will facilitate a host of full video applications. ogy minds in Eagan, will help policymakers evaluate
Community portals support a doctor's video con-
appropriate next steps for Eagan. The Eagan City un;'
ii t i.
ference with a senior shut-in. Parents might moni- Council will have the final say
c •aert
for video security in local on any recommendations. h rr,::
parks to check on a child
at play. Residents could log Conference attendees also ui
on to choose and view a heard about the high speed impact
local church service in real fiber School District 196 has stoi
installed'to all its schools fol- at MoE
time or narrowcast to com-
munities of like interests lowing approval of a June, :id
u
11
(potentially everything from 2004 referendum. Future 1
garden enthusiasts talking High speed Eagan Conference connects with Netherlands e-learning opportunities I.lrl:
to a master gardener to tips e-community. include specific content- rcSt It
on how to play chess or fix based Video Streaming, io, gen
expanded video-based instruction to potentially
cars.) areaY C
draw in world experts in science or industry, and
"It's about choice," says Bas Boorsma, executive using high end applications being developed for the sound
director of INEC. E-Community, , he says, is not of the
next generation of the Internet. Labora
unable
Chairman's Letter
May 2005
The Task Force on Telecommunications Innovation, established pursuant to a resolution sponsored by Seattle City
Council Member Jim Compton, has completed its work. I am pleased to submit this report to Mayor Greg Nickels, the
Seattle City Council and the citizens of Seattle.
The task force believes Seattle must act now to foster the development of advanced broadband facilities and services for
our community.
Seattle cannot afford to dawdle. Broadband networks will soon become what roads, electric systems and telephone
networks are today: core infrastructure of society. Lacking advanced broadband, Seattle is unlikely to maintain a
competitive economy, a vibrant culture, quality schools and efficient government.
Private markets, left alone, are unlikely to favor Seattle. City government must become a catalyst: working with the
private sector to encourage their deployment of high-capacity broadband; developing the municipal network to enhance
government functions and services, as well as to provide the basis for a municipal buildout, should that become
necessary; monitoring emerging technologies and adopting those that work for Seattle; and supporting new broadband
enterprises.
Together these will accelerate the deployment of broadband, enhancing Seattle's leadership position in technology,
entrepreneurial innovation, education, health, public/private sector co-operation, and government service.
Steven Clifford, Chair
Task Force on Telecommunications Innovation
2
Executive Summary
The Internet has sparked a communications revolution that The Task Force recommends that the City immediately
will accelerate as advanced voice, data and video services adopt this goal:
emerge. Interactive, high-speed broadband networks
with the capacity to deliver next-generation applications 2015: Broadband for All
will become essential to businesses, schools, health care Within a decade, all of Seattle will have affordable access
providers, government and individuals. Such a network to an interactive, open, broadband network capable of
is not available to most of Seattle today. If Seattle is to supporting applications and services using integrated
compete in the new world of enhanced communications, it layers of voice, video and data, with sufficient capacity
must have an affordable, open, universally available, state- to meet the ongoing information, communications and
of-the-art broadband network. entertainment needs of the city's citizens, businesses,
institutions and municipal government.
Recognizing that Seattle faces this challenge, the
Seattle City Council, with the concurrence of Mayor The Task Force asked private companies about their
Greg Nickels, adopted a resolution sponsored by current plans to offer the level of broadband that will meet
Councilman Jim Compton establishing the Task Force on Seattle's long-term needs. The companies did not present
Telecommunications Innovation in 2004. Its purpose was plans to provide this level of service. The Task Force
to explore the feasibility of using the City's broadband concluded that market forces, left alone, probably will
assets in a network available to the public. The Task not provide the broadband networks and services Seattle
Force gathered and analyzed information over a seven- needs.
month period, and submitted this report of its findings and
recommendations to the City in May 2005. The Task Force considered how commonly available
technologies might be able to achieve our goal. Fiber-optic
The Task Force concluded that if Seattle is to have the cable extended to the premises (FTTP) has the capacity to
broadband infrastructure it needs, city government meet the ever increasing demand for bandwidth far into the
must lead the way. The City of Seattle must act now to future, while other wired and wireless technologies have
encourage the development of a robust broadband network much more limited capabilities. Other technologies could
capable of fast, simultaneous, two-way delivery of advanced serve as interim solutions or provide mobile connectivity,
voice, data, and video services. but are unlikely to provide the citywide broadband network
we envision.
By actively encouraging broadband development, Seattle
would join a growing number of municipalities that are While a citywide FTTP network would meet the goal of
initiating broadband
projects, including
Minneapolis, How with broadband make Seattle a better city? Here are a few images we envision:
Philadelphia, and A:second-grade studerit during a long recuperation at home after slargery, participates In classroom activities daily
San Francisco. over a two-way, futt-motion video hook-up.
The City Council meets on an issue that affects neighborhood businesses. Many citizens attend the hearing over two-
way video-from home and from community centers. During the hearing, the Council uses atstaut-polling software
to gather opinions.
A gene-mapping company relocates to Seattle, drawn by proximity to our burgeoning health sciences community and
the city's affordable, robust data network that it uses for video collaboration with other businesses and researchers.
A radiologist finds he can better balance professional and family responsibilities by working from home two days a
week. Using the network, he can quickly summon digital X-rays from diagnostic imaging services, as well as patient
records, to his home office computer.
An aerospace engineer begins the day in her home office, working on a complicated engineering drawing. She
collaborates with other engineers and business partners who can see the same drawing via their networks and HDTV-
quality monitors. The drawing resides on her employer's computer server in south Seattle. She'll drive there later,
after the morning rush hour is over.
The children in an immigrant family do not yet speak English. They are able to go to their local school in West
Seattle, yet take classes in their native language using an HDTV video conference connecting several Seattle
schools.
3
broadband for all by 2015, the path to this network is Connecting Seattle to
uncertain. An incumbent telecommunications provider,
Comcast or Owest, might build an FTTP network.
Alternatively, the City might negotiate with a third party the Future
to build an entirely new system, or use the City's existing
fiber plant as the base for a FTTP system. Finally, a new The Internet, along with other new communication
technology could emerge that would allow true broadband technologies, has become a dominant force in public life,
to the premises without a new wired connection. bringing about dramatic changes in the decade since
it emerged. In coming years, it will drive a continuing
The City should explore, and encourage development of, evolution in the ways people work, play, learn and
each of these paths. While the ultimate path is uncertain, communicate. Advanced services-such as high-definition
the initial steps are clear-and they are inexpensive and TV, voice over Internet phone service, and interactive
effective. video-will be increasingly deployed when broadband
As first steps, we recommend that the City: networks are available to support them. New services will
be developed.
• Work actively with incumbent telecommunications These advanced services will transform our lives, just as
providers and other private companies to encourage e-mail and web-browsing swept over our culture in the
them to develop the broadband network we envision. past 10 years. With interactive HDTV, for example, video
The City should identify obstacles it might remove, or conferencing will improve dramatically. Telecommuting,
incentives it might offer, toward this end. distance learning, and remote health care services will
• Continue developing the City's own broadband network, become much more effective options than they are today.
both to support municipal functions and possibly to To enable these services, communities will have an
serve as an open public network, should that become increasing need for broadband-communication networks
necessary. The City should study the feasibility of that have enough capacity to support fast, two-way,
alternative means to that end: providing its own network simultaneous delivery of advanced voice, data and video
for public and commercial use; or partnering with private communications. This is a level of broadband beyond what
enterprise, perhaps through use of the City's fiber is provided over cable and phone lines in Seattle today
network.
Broadband networks will become in the 2151 century
• Monitor and evaluate emerging broadband technologies, what electricity became in the 201h: a part of the core
and take advantage of opportunities that make sense infrastructure. Just as Seattle needed an electricity
for Seattle. Currently, FTTP appears to be the best long- system to thrive over the past hundred years, it must
term solution for a Seattle network. Nevertheless, the City have an affordable, universally available, state-of-the-art
should explore other technologies as they evolve. broadband system to remain vibrant and prosperous in the
future.
• Work with information-technology entrepreneurs to make
Seattle the nation's leading broadband incubator for Such a broadband system, an essential condition for our
private enterprises. material well-being, also promises to make Seattle a better
city. It could:
The Task Force recommends that the City establish an . Allow all economic groups to have full access to the
Office of Broadband to give these efforts a focal point, Internet, cable television, and other communications
to ensure efficient and far-sighted development of a services.
communications network, and to underline the City's . Reduce traffic congestion and reduce air pollution by
commitment to the goal. An advisory committee should be supporting telecommuting.
established to provide advice and support to the Office. . Increase citizen participation in government and enable
The Office should report annually to the Mayor and City the City to offer improved services.
Council on progress toward the broadband goal. . Make more jobs available because the city would
become a more attractive business environment.
• Allow businesses to thrive because of increased
opportunities for collaboration and telecommuting.
• Enrich people's lives by enabling them to use the latest
technology to communicate with friends and family in
new ways, and to access their choice of information and
entertainment.
4
The Situation Today Internet-higher than the national average. The research
found a high level of interest-especially among younger
Seattle currently does not have a network that can make residents-in using cutting-edge applications that require
this vision a reality. The bandwidth needed for delivery of high bandwidth.
multiple advanced services is not available in most parts of
Seattle, or costs too much. To serve future needs, networks must be available with
Before the Task Force moved forward to make its bandwidth capable of simultaneously delivering voice,
recommendations on how to change the current situation, it switched video and data. Simultaneous provision of
spent six months gaining a better understanding of: switched HDTV video, Internet access and voice service to
• Current and emerging broadband technologies a household would require a minimum of 20-25 megabits
• Existing and future services and applications per second (Mbps) downstream and a sufficient level of
• How other cities are encouraging or building broadband upstream bandwidth (this will vary based on application
networks requirements). Bandwidth available to most homes in
• Cable and telephone companies' plans to provide Seattle today is 1.5-4.0 Mbps downstream, and 256-386
advanced broadband services kilobits per second (Kbps) upstream. This upstream
• The City of Seattle's current broadband assets, and plans bandwidth in particular is insufficient to support increased
to develop its fiber-optic network interactivity.
• The economics of broadband deployment
Fiber-optic cable extended to the premises is the only
Findings technology available today with the capacity to meet all
Based on the information it gathered, the Task Force came of Seattle's long-term needs. Fiber has significantly more
to the following conclusions: capacity than any other existing or emerging broadband
For the next half century, a city's economic, social, and cultural technology, and is unlikely to become obsolete in the
success will depend, in part, on its broadband infrastructure. foreseeable future. Other wire and wireless technologies
Advanced broadband networks and applications enable the Task Force studied cannot provide comparable
new business opportunities, remote provision of medical bandwidth, and many have interference or security
services, expanded educational options, enhanced problems. However, the Task Force recognized that due
personal communications and entertainment, and many to the expense of providing fiber to the premises, other
more benefits. Broadband enables government entities technologies might have to be employed as interim steps.
to provide new and improved public services, to operate
more efficiently, and to offer better ways for citizens to Incumbent cable and phone companies do not provide,
participate in democratic processes. and have not presented plans to develop, the high-speed
network that Seattle will need in the future. The coaxial
Seattle, in particular, would benefit from the availability of increased cable and copper-wire infrastructures currently used by
bandwidth because it is a leader in the information economy. The the cable and phone companies do not provide sufficient
Seattle area is home to pioneering information-technology bandwidth to support all current and future broadband
companies, skilled professionals and technology-savvy applications. Although the incumbent cable and telephone
residents. If broadband is available to allow entrepreneurs companies plan modest upgrades, the incumbents have
to develop and test advanced applications, Seattle could no plans to develop the kind of high-speed network the
achieve national prominence as a broadband technology Task Force envisions. Furthermore, these are national
incubator. firms - as they do develop high-speed technologies
and applications, the companies will first deploy them in
Seattle could gain competitive advantages by becoming an early markets where they must maintain a competitive edge, not
adopter of broadband. Seattle's economy will grow it broadband necessarily in Seattle.
gives local businesses advantages that aren't available elsewhere.
Many Seattle businesses are "spin-offs" or suppliers of The City of Seattle has substantial broadband resources
the several large employers in the area. These businesses and capabilities, and could play a leadership role in the
use high-speed voice, video and data networking to development of public broadband systems by encouraging
collaborate with one another and with the larger firms to private investment or using City assets in a public network.
develop and market their products. The City of Seattle has developed fiber-optic, radio, and
Ethernet networks. The City has employees with expertise
A majority of Seattle residents use networked information and experience in communications technology. The City
technology today, and their demand for access to state-ot- owns and manages other assets that could be important in
a broadband network, including buildings, utility poles and
the-art technologies and services will continue and increase. right-of-way. The City has financing capabilities.
Research conducted by the City of Seattle found that 83
percent of Seattle's citizens have computers and use the
5
The City's fiber network would be especially attractive Recommendations
to companies that are developing and testing broadband
applications. Seattle-already home to many talented
information technology professionals and residents who The Task Force recommends that the City adopt this
use networked information technology-could become a goal:
nationally prominent test bed and incubator for broadband
entrepreneurs. 2015: Broadband for All
Within a decade all of Seattle will have affordable access
Based on these conclusions, the Task Force believes the to an interactive, open, broadband network capable of
City of Seattle should take an active leadership role in supporting applications and services using integrated
fostering development of a robust broadband network. layers of voice, video and data, with sufficient capacity
The following recommendations for City action will not lead to meet the ongoing information, communications and
to an overnight solution. Development of a broadband entertainment needs of the city's citizens, businesses,
network will be a complex and costly challenge. It is not institutions and municipal government.
clear today who will build the system, what is the best
technology, and how it should be financed. The steps we The Task Force proposes that the City take the
recommend will set the City on a path toward resolution following steps to move toward the goal:
of these issues; as we proceed, it will become evident
' 1.The City should work with private companies to encourage
what more must be done to ensure that Seattle has a 21
century broadband infrastructure. them to develop high-speed networks for Seattle.
The Task Force began a dialogue with the
incumbent cable and phone companies. We asked
how the City could help them develop a broadband
network meeting the goal of broadband for all by
2015. The companies have provided ideas and
indicated their willingness to continue working with
the City. The City should pursue this effort.
2,The City should develop its own network for municipal
purposes, and potentially to support the creation of an
open network available to the public.
The City already has done much to develop a
broadband network for municipal purposes, and
should continue developing this network both to
support the functions and services of municipal
government, and potentially to support the creation
of an open network available to the public.
The City should centralize planning, construction
and management of broadband for all divisions of
the City to ensure that its system is developed in a
coordinated way.
Network development should be consistent with the goal
of having a state-of-the-art broadband system available
to all of Seattle's residences, businesses and institutions.
The City should explore the economic feasibility of a
municipal build-out of a system available to the public.
The City should encourage all its departments, as well
as other governments and public agencies, to explore
emerging technologies and applications that will improve
service to citizens, decrease City costs, and increase
City revenues.
6
The City should work with Seattle's businesses, major and underline the importance of the effort to develop
institutions and underserved neighborhoods to identify broadband.
needs and conduct tests and demonstrations of
broadband applications for meeting those needs. Recommendations for the Office of Broadband's specific
responsibilities are included in appendix B.
A number of government entities and schools are
developing and using broadband within Seattle and 7.The City should create an advisory committee to provide
in the Puget Sound region. The City should continue advice and support to the Office of Broadband.
cooperating with other local governments and institutions
as it develops its network. Such cooperation could The committee should include individuals who can
leverage Seattle's resources. It also could promote the contribute expertise related to the Office's functions, as
development of broadband in surrounding communities well as people who can keep the Office connected with
where Seattle citizens go for work, school, and other constituents and business,
activities.
8.The City should monitor progress toward 2015: Broadband
3.The City should make its communications network for All.
available to private service providers, when feasible.
The Office of Broadband should submit annual reports
Wireless Internet service providers, for example, might to the Mayor and City Council. In addition to reporting
be interested in using the City's fiber network to transmit on the accomplishments of the Office, the report should
data from remote sites to the Internet. Such uses assess the status of broadband competition in Seattle,
would generate revenue for the City while increasing the competitive position of Seattle compared to other
competition, bringing more choices to citizens. cities, incumbent providers' progress and ability to meet
the City's broadband goal, the state of citizen access and
4.The City should monitor emerging Internet technologies, the digital divide, and the City's experience with private-
and take advantage of opportunities that make sense for sector-driven broadband tests and pilots.
Seattle.
Fiber-optic cable installed to the premises currently
appears to be the best long-term solution for a Seattle
network; however, its expense should prompt the
City to explore other technologies for possible interim
deployment. Of particular interest are wireless and
fiber connecting to existing copper, bypassing phone
company central offices.
5.The City should encourage local broadband enterprises
that are developing next-generation applications, services
and technologies.
The City should actively promote experimentation,
innovation and entrepreneurial activity in broadband
technology, deployment and applications by facilitating
companies' access to City facilities, property, right-of-
way, etc., consistent with City regulations.
ill City should establish an Office of Broadband, with the
authority and funding necessary to successfully carry out
these recommendations.
The City should provide a focal point for these
recommendations by creating an Office of Broadband
within the Department of Information Technology. By
forming this office, the City will establish accountability
for following through on the recommended strategies,
ensure that the City develops its internal broadband
network in the most efficient and far-sighted way,
7
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NOTES
Communications Committee Meeting
September 26, 2006
The City Council Communications Standing Committee, its' members City
Councilmember Carlson, City Councilmember Maguire, Director of Communication
Garrison and City Administrator Hedges, met on Tuesday, September 26, 2006 at 4:30
p.m. The following are "notes" that summarize the discussion at the Standing Committee
meeting.
It was determined by the Standing Committee that a major guiding
principal/goal is to recognize Eagan as a world class community for its
technology infrastructure.
To achieve a world class status, the Technology Task Force needs to identify
the necessary investment and begin to think of technology enhancements as the
necessary utility. Similar to standard water, sewer and storm sewer utilities, we
need to think of technology infrastructure as providing opportunities
throughout the community to install the conduit that would act as the trunk
main for technology opportunities that will handle future upgrades, speed and
the future technology enhancements for local companies and, eventually,
residential neighborhoods.
Director Garrison shared examples of how other cities, including Almere,
Netherlands, are approaching technology readiness.
The Committee discussed the 11.5 mile District 196 conduit route, again,
stating that a policy and pricing need to be established much like our public
enterprise utilities. The City would not sell its fiber, but instead own the fiber
and lease space again using the model of a public utility. Questions were raised
by the Committee, i.e., What if the main Blue Cross campus west of 35-E
provides the necessary high speed connection to their east campus, the 10 -story
office building? Who pays for the fiber connection?
The Standing Committee discussed the necessity for certain City code changes
that would allow for, 1.) the ability to require the placement of conduit in all
city, county, state and federal highway reconstruction (there is a great savings
to placing conduit in the utility easement/right-of-way while the roadway is
disturbed for reconstruction), 2.) create a funding mechanism that allows for
certain charges and fees to recoup use of existing fiber and create some sort of
area -wide charge for new fiber/conduit installed in the future, and 3.) in the
other changes that the City Council deems as appropriate governance/public
policy for implementing technology enhancements to meet the world class
goal.
Standing Committee provides the following charge to the Technology Task
Force:
o Develop methods as to how we fulfill an objective to the world class
technology competitiveness
o Develop a timeframe for addressing some public policy/City code
changes to 11.5 mile conduit and other enhancements
o Develop criteria to consider technology highway infrastructure as a
utility and determine policies that allow for the installation of fiber and
connection by business, etc.
o Develop a fiber/conduit master plan similar to other utility master plans
o Discuss financing objectives such as a utility area charge for fiber,
special assessments, connection charges, hookup charges in addition to
determining a method to price the goods and consider renewal and
replacement and capital improvements to the system.
o Develop a vision statement that is four to six pages explaining the
purpose, guide and principals and ultimate goal for Eagan to become a
world class technology community.
The meeting was approximately one hour, ending at 5:30 p.m.