Have you ever wanted to be a fly on the wall as a town funded, designed and implemented fiber into their community? Well thanks to Lynne Dahl-Flemming we got something even better – we’ve got the notes from the fly on the wall.
Monticello received funding from Blandin Foundation as part of the Get Broadband program. After an amazing referendum vote for fiber last fall, they are moving ahead in all direction. Read on to hear how it’s going. I think this account will be particularly interesting to anyone who is in a position to consider fiber in their area…
FiberNet Monticello Update April 24, 2008
A special meeting of the Monticello City Council was held on Monday, April 14, 2008 at 5 p.m. The Monticello Fiber Optic Committee presented an update to the Council on the current status and upcoming schedule for the city-wide fiber optic project. Reports included engineering, construction update and consideration of a resolution calling for the sale of Telecommunications Revenue Bonds Series C and approval of the governance document and ordinance for FiberNet Monticello.
Engineering and Construction
Engineering field walkouts began March 17 and ended April 4. This task allowed the firm of Spectrum Engineering Corporation, who has contracted by the City, to confirm on foot in the field what the physical lay of the land is for possible fiber optic routes. This exercise is used to prepare construction plans and specifications for the fiber network design.
A request for qualifications document (RFQ) has been made available and advertised in the newspaper and on the website: www.MonticelloFiber.com to provide a list of requirements for building construction. The deadline for submissions is April 18, 2008. Following this date, the respondents will be evaluated to determine which companies will receive bid documents for construction of the fiber optic network in Monticello. Any company scoring 800 out of 1,000 possible points would receive the bid documents which will be sent on in May. Construction is anticipated to begin this summer.
The Central Office Building where head-end and other equipment will be located has a completed site plan. It will be located on City property south of town just off Highway 25 and School Boulevard near the new water tower. This site was tested for its ability to receive signal from towers and satellite dishes which will be required for operation of the fiber network which will provide services for telephone, Internet and cable TV. Construction of this building is anticipated to be completed this fall.
Resolution to call for the sale of Telecommunication Revenue Bonds
The Monticello Fiber Optic Committee requested consideration of a resolution to call for the sale of Telecommunication Revenue Bonds. This will permit the City’s bond company, Oppenheimer & Co., Inc., to proceed with determining pricing and market conditions for the sale of the bonds and will bring the approval of the actual bond sale back to Council in May.
Pre-marketing and pre-pricing of the bonds will occur in late April and early May followed by final pricing in mid-May. The City Council will consider a resolution of awarding the sale of the bonds to Oppenheimer and agreeing to the final terms and conditions. The bonds will be sold with a settlement of the bonds to follow and receipt of bond proceeds to occur shortly following the sale date.
The Industrial Development Committee (IDC) provided a resolution of support for FiberNet Monticello and issuance of Telecommunications Revenue Bonds Series C.
At the special workshop for Council held on April 14, the City Council unanimously approved
5-0 the resolution calling for the sale of the bonds.
Adoption of Governance Ordinance
The Monticello Fiber Optic Committee requested that the City Council adopt the proposed governance ordinance establishing a Telecommunications Public Service Enterprise to be known as FiberNet Monticello. This ordinance also establishes an Advisory Board to the FiberNet Monticello entity. Adoption of the proposed ordinance establishes the membership of the board, officers, powers and duties. In summary, the role of the Advisory Board is to provide general oversight and strategic management of the FiberNet Monticello enterprise. The Board will consist of five members, two from City Council and three from the general public. The general manager of FiberNet Monticello and the City Administrator will be non-voting members. Under this ordinance, the City Council remains responsible for major decision making with input from the Advisory Board. The City Council reserves significant rights and powers to set direction through adoption of the annual budget, approval of capital improvements and establishing rates and fees. Through this ordinance, the Board is given authority to operate within a budget set by the City Council.
An application process has been established for seeking candidates for the three community board member positions. Those interested in the positions may visit the website: http://www.MonticelloFiber.com for more details including a downloadable application form. Strong candidates will be interviewed, selected and will be recommended to the City Council for approval. Deadline for applications is May 9, 2008.
The City Council unanimously approved 5-0 the adoption of the proposed governance ordinance establishing a Telecommunications Public Service Enterprise to be known as FiberNet Monticello.
Next Steps
Next steps for FiberNet Monticello include pre-sign up of customers, sale of the bonds, construction, obtaining office space and hiring of a general manager, staff and technicians. First customers could take service early spring 2009. Watch for details coming soon for pre-sign up information. FiberNet Monticello has established an informational phone line at: 763-271-3230. Regular updates will also be available on the website: http://www.MonticelloFiber.com. You may sign-up to be included on the e-contact list at the website which will provide you with regular updates on the City of Monticello’s fiber optic project and FiberNet Monticello.