HomeMy WebLinkAboutC29840 Internet Cnnctn Upgrade from BCC to FOCContract No. C29840
CITY OF PALM DESERT
INFORMATION SYSTEMS
STAFF REPORT
REQUEST: APPROVE CONTRACT FOR TIME WARNER INTERNET
CONNECTION UPGRADE FROM BUSINESS CLASS CABLE TO
FIBER OPTIC CONNECTION IN AN AMOUNT OF $10,740
SUBMITTED BY: CLAYTON VON HELF, INFORMATION SYSTEMS MANAGER
DATE: JUNE 10, 2010
Recommendation
By Minute Motion, approve the contract with Time Warner for internet
service in an amount of $10,740 per year.
Background
A business class cable (Roadrunner) Internet connection is currently used at City Hall
that costs $5,500 per year. Staff has followed Council direction to explore the possibility
of providing Wi-Fi service on El Paseo. In order to provide that service, this upgrade is a
necessary first step.
The Time Warner user agreement does not allow the broadcasting of business class
cable (road runner) connection as a hotspot. In order to move forward with the project
to provide the internet connection for the Wi-Fi, we must upgrade to the Fiber Optic
service. Installation of this connection is Phase 1 of the Wi-Fi project and will be
complete within thirty days of the approval of this contract.
Future phases, should the initial change from cable to fiber optic be approved, will be as
follows:
Phase 2: Once the signal is installed at City Hall it will be sent wirelessly down San
Pablo Ave to El Paseo using the traffic signal poles. Access points will then be installed
out of sight along El Paseo, so as not to detract from the aesthetic experience of the
street. Our focus will be the Gardens and Visitor Center for saturated Wi-Fi coverage.
Free Wi-Fi access with a one -hour time limit will be provided within the designated zone
on El Paseo. Time is limited in order to avoid the perception of public funds being used
to compete with private enterprises like Verizon and Time Warner. Depending on
Staff Report
Approval of Time Warner connection upgrade
June 10, 2010
Page 2 of 2
equipment delivery times and negotiations with building owners for rooftop leases, this
phase should be complete by early August.
Phase 3: More access points will be added to expand the Wi-Fi zone along El Paseo
to run from Highway 74 to Portola Ave. The completion of this phase will be dependent
on negations with building owners for rooftop leases. This phase should be complete
within six months.
It is expected that hardware and software for Phase 2 will cost between $45,000 and
$50,000 plus installation of $8,000 — 12,000, and Phase 3 will be $13,000 for hardware
and software plus installation of approximately $2,000 — 4,000. Phase 1 does not incur
additional costs for hardware, software, or installation, as it is simply upgrading an
existing service.
A summary of projected costs are as follows for all phases of the Wi-Fi project:
• Internet Connection - $10,740 per year (all phases)
• Hardware and software - $58,000 - $63,000 (Phases 2 and 3)
• Support and Maintenance - $3,000 per year (Phases 2 and 3)
• Installation - $10,000 -$16,000 (Phases 2 and 3)
In order to begin the Wi-Fi project, staff recommends that Council approve the contract
upgrade from cable to fiber optic connection through Time Warner in the amount of
$10,700.
Fiscal Impact
The connection upgrade from cable to fiber optic will cost $10,700 annually. Funds are
available in the upcoming year's budget in Account No. 110-4190-415-3650.
Submitted By:
Clayto' Helf, Information Systems Manager
Approval:
JohnJUJI/ohlmuth, City Manager
Department Head:
Y. I S. Gibson, Finance Director
CITY COUNCILA5 nON
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