HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 159-10TO:
FROM:
DATE:
REPORT TYPE:
SUBJECT:
HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL
CITY MANAGER
MARCH 8, 2010
ACTION
DEPARTMENT: UTILITIES
CMR: 159:10
Designation of City Manager as Google Fiber to Communities Project
Point Person and Approval of and Delegation to the City Manager to
Provide Answers to Google's Request for Information for its Fiber for
Communities Plan
RECOMMENDATION
Request for Council's approval of and delegation to the City Manager to be the contact person
with the authority to provide answers to Google's Request for Information for its Fiber for
Communities plan.
BACKGROUND
On February 10, 2010, Google announced its Fiber for Communities plan. Google is seeking
interested municipalities to partner with it to build and test ultra high-speed broadband networks
in one or more trial locations across the country. Google plans to deliver Internet speeds at more
than 100 times faster than what most Americans have access to today over 1 gigabit per second,
fiber -to -the -home connections. Google will offer service at a competitive price to at least 50,000
and potentially up to 500,000 people, most likely in multiple communities.
Google is seeking responses from municipalities with a high level of community support. Palo
Alto has long-standing policies supporting greater access to the City's existing fiber network.
Google is also seeking communities where there is high Internet user rates to ensure the initial
investment will generate the maximum impact on the community. Palo Alto is ideally situated to
partner with Google in meeting these stated goals.
On February 22, 2010, the Council directed staff to prepare a response to Google's Request for
Information (RFI) for its Fiber for Communities plan (CMR: 147:10). The RFI submission
deadline is March 26, 2010. The City and community have rapidly mobilized to respond in a
coordinated effort to the Google RFI.
DISCUSSION
On March 1, 2010, staff advised the Council (CMR: 158:10) that it will be essential that the City
has a single point of contact and go -to person with authority to make decisions and speak on
behalf of the City for the Google RFI. The Google RFI requires the responding entity to
CMR: 159:10 Page 1 of 2
designate a contact person who has the authority to provide answers as the official position of the
responding government.
In addition, the timeframe for responding to the Google request is very short and constrained.
The City needs to be able to act quickly in this environment.
Staff recommends that the Council delegate the authority to the City Manager to be the
designated point person on the Google RFI.
RESOURCE IMPACT
On October 19, 2009, the City hired a full-time project manager for the Citywide Ultra High -
Speed Broadband System Project. Funds are available in the 2009-10 Fiber Optics Fund
operating budget to support this expense.
Up to $25,000 will be required for consultant fees to support the preparation of the Google RFI,
including services from a public relations consulting firm to support the public grassroots
outreach plan. Funds are available in the 2009-10 Fiber Optics Fund operating budget to support
this expense.
POLICY IMPLICATIONS
This report is consistent with the Council's policy and program direction provided to staff.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The actions requested in this report do not constitute a project for the purposes of the California
Environmental Quality Act. Build -out of the Broadband System is subject to the requirements of
the California Environmental Quality Act due to the installation, construction and maintenance
of facilities in the public rights -of -way. Necessary environmental review will occur when
appropriate.
ATTACHMENT
None.
PREPARED BY:
APPROVED BY:
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL:
JIM FLEMING
Management Specialist
TOMM MARSHALL
Assistant Director, Utilities Engineering
VALERIE
Director, Utilities Department
JAM . KEENE
Ci y ► anager
CMR: 159:10 Page 2 of 2