03-10-2025 CC Agenda Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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AGENDA ITEM Date: March 10, 2025 Title: North Water Plant Fiber Connection Presenter: Maggie Jin, Finance Director Section: Consent Agenda Item: 12 Purpose: The purpose of this council action is to gain approval of the project provided by LOGIS to install fiber connection to the North Water Plant. 2. Background: As technology continues to advance, modern water plants require high-speed data connections to ensure efficient operation and real-time communication for monitoring and responding to water quality, pressure and usage data. Currently, the water tower systems (SCADA) transfer information by radio signal from the water plants to the old Public Works building (temporary North Fire Station) and further transmitted to the new Public Works building. The radio signals are emitted from each water plant to the north water tower then to the old Public Works building, and finally, to the new Public Works building. North water plant is located at 2250 Wayzata Blvd W and Navarre water plant is located at 2345 Blaine Ave. The radio technology is outdated and becoming less reliable, with the system having communication issues multiple times weekly. Fiber connection is more reliable and allows much faster connection with up to 100 GBS. Fiber technology allows for more secure communication network which is critical for safeguarding the city's water infrastructure against cyber threats. Real- time monitoring will be enhance and enable the city to respond quicker to potential issues, reducing the likelihood of service disruptions or safety concerns. Additionally, fiber will be a long-term cost effective solution to support the water plant's future technological needs to reduce the need for frequent upgrades or repairs to the outdated systems. At this time, staff is recommending moving forward with switching the north water plant to fiber connection. In the meantime, the Navarre water plant will continue to operate with radio technology until fiber connection becomes available in the upcoming years. The system will run in a hybrid environment until both plants switch over to fiber, in which case, an ethernet switch at the north water plant and programming for system communication will be completed simultaneously. 3. Cost: The cost is not to exceed $67,172.50. This includes the cost of materials, labor, and installation. The project was included in the 2025 CIP at an estimate of $67,000. 4. Funding: The project will be funded by the Water Fund. Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends approval of the project to install fiber connection to the North Water Plant with cost not to exceed $67,172.50. 56