11-13-2006 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, November 13, 2006 7:00 o'clock p.m. • (4. SALLYKOENECKE, LAKE MINNETONKA COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION, Continued) Minneapolis, who is in the process of implementing a new system that will be up and running by the fall of 2007. Sansevere inquired whether all of Orono would have Wi -Fi access or whether there would only be selected areas that would have access. Koenecke stated they are looking at areas where access is not reliable at the present time, which is one of the reasons why the Commission elected to delay implementing this type of system. Sansevere inquired what the cost would be to the residents. Koenecke stated they conducted two seminars with city officials last year and at that time proposed to undertake feasibility studies, but the LMCC elected not to proceed forward with the feasibility studies due to lack of funding and the rapid changes that are occurring at the present time with this technology. Sansevere commented if the high -speed internet access is going to cost a resident over $100 a month, it is unlikely that many residents would elect to use it since there are other cheaper options available. Koenecke stated the cost to each Chaska resident for this type of system is $16 a month. Koenecke stated she is not aware of what the costs would be to Orono citizens until a feasibility study is completed and an interest survey completed. 0 McMillan expressed a concern that the Commission would be investing a significant amount of money into a system that may become obsolete in a relatively short period of time due to the changing technology. Koenecke stated they are reviewing Minneapolis's system because the provider is paying for the infrastructure rather than the City, which helps to reduce the costs significantly. Koenecke indicated typically the providers recommend that a five -year upgrade be incorporated into the costs. Koenecke stated the LMCC is attempting to get an overview of the systems that other cities are utilizing and the associated costs. Murphy inquired whether this would be a direct competitive venture against landline providers and the cable business. Koenecke stated the phone companies are attempting'to get legislation• passed that would eliminate franchising. Murphy concurred that the LMCC is right in waiting to determine the best way to proceed. The City Council took no formal action on this item. r� LJ PAGE 2 of 15 r