HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Minutes - March 30, 2022
Mayor Jerry Merrill
Council Members:
Robert Chambers Jordan Busby
Mikel Walker Tisha Flora
Colin Erickson Bryanna Johnson
City Staff:
Stephen Zollinger – City Attorney
Matt Nielson – Finance Officer
Keith Davidson – Public Works Director
Alan Parkinson – Planning & Zoning Administrator
Scott Johnson – Economic Development Director
Deborah Lovejoy – City Clerk
4:00 P.M. City Hall
Roll Call of Council Members:
Attending: Council Member Flora, Council Member Johnson, Council Member Chambers, Council Member Erickson, Council Member Walker, Council President Busby, and Mayor Merrill (via zoom).
Broadband Infrastructure Development and Construction Agreements
Public Works Director Davidson explained the Broadband Infrastructure Development and Construction Agreements is a heads up for City Council, it will be considered at the next meeting.
He said the Broadband Board is requesting to include the fiber code details in the City’s Engineering Standards. Having the fiber code would require new construction to enter into
a development agreement to install fiber conduit and boxes.
Approve Bid for Fiber Ring Construction
IT Director Smith explained at the March 2nd City Council Meeting a decision to approve Silver Star to negotiate a 3.1 million dollar bid acceptance for the building of the fiber ring
with a contractor was made. The negotiations have been completed. The contract was awarded to Western Mountain Construction from Burley, Idaho. The construction of the fiber ring will
begin on April 4th. There is an estimated amount for the expense to build the fiber ring of 3.097 million dollars; however, the expense could be less because some of the boring will
be completed at the price of trenching.
Council Member Erickson asked how much anticipation of dark fiber for future growth was considered. IT Director Smith said city staff is negotiating with a third-party entity to manage
and operate the backbone of the fiber network. A part of the entity’s responsibility will be the distribution and access level of the network. The total number of fiber strands will
be about 432.
Council Member Flora asked if additional conduit would be put in place for future growth. IT Director Smith replied the 432 strands will take up one of the eight pathways of the fiber
ring.
Council President Busby questioned when construction occurs, and the fiber is damaged who would be responsible for the repair of the fiber. Public Works Director Davidson explained if
the conduit lines were marked correctly the responsible party would be the company that cut the fiber; however, if the lines were not marked correctly the responsible party would have
to be determined after further investigation. IT Director Smith mentioned if the fiber ring were to be cut the information would be routed through a different direction. There are multiple
layers of redundancy built in the fiber to deviate outages if it were to be cut.
Acceptance of Memorandum of Understanding for Community Fiber Optics Broadband Network between Madison County and City of Rexburg
IT Director Smith explained part of the fiber ring runs through a section of Madison County near the North Interchange so an agreement is needed between Madison County and City. He reviewed
the Memorandum of Understanding.
Council Member Erickson asked for a map of the fiber ring. IT Director Smith said the fiber ring starts at the Madison High School to the water well near the Burton Elementry School.
One of the main fiber huts will be constructed at that location. Then the ring will go north towards 12th West all the way to 3,000 and across to the North Interchange. Then South on
2nd East through Stonebridge and across the river up to the east side of Rexburg to the neighborhoods near Smith Park up to 5th South where it will connect to another hut. Then continue
south up toward 2nd East and University Boulevard to Yellowstone and back to the high school. There is another leg starting at the Valley Wide directly east towards Rexburg Rapids continuing
towards 3rd East. There will be a total of five fiber huts.
IT Director Smith said one of the purposes of the fiber rings is to connect city assets. They identified about 60 different assets and are going to connect 40 of them to the ring. They
have planned for future growth when deciding the locations of the fiber ring. Council Member Chamber asked if a development agreement will be needed to install fiber conduit in areas
where new development is taking place. Public Works Director Davidson replied, the city’s Engineering Standards will require the developer to install fiber conduit for new development
only.
Mayor Merrill mentioned there is a possibility additional broadband grant money will be available through the state. If the funds do become available, the city will apply for the grant
money to complete the fiber ring project. Council President Busby asked if the city doesn’t receive the additional grant money how will the project be completed. Mayor Merrill said
the city has not decided where the additional funds would come from; however, one option is a minimal charge to property owners to connect to the city fiber.
Council Member Walker moved to approve the Acceptance of Memorandum of Understanding for Community Fiber Optics Broadband Network between Madison County and City of Rexburg; Council
Member Flora seconded the motion; Mayor Merrill asked for a vote:
Those voting aye Those voting nay
Council Member Flora
Council Member Johnson
Council Member Chambers
Council Member Erickson
Council Member Walker
Council President Busby
The motion carried.
Council Member Chambers asked the Mayor and Councilmembers about having a regular City Council study session to discuss issues and policy changes. Mayor Merrill suggested the study session
meeting be schedule the first Wednesday of every month an hour before the regular City Council Meeting. Council Member Flora suggested the City Council study session meeting be scheduled
on the third Wednesday of the month before the regular City Council meeting.
Discussion about inviting the School Board, County Commissioners, and other governing bodies to the study session meetings. There was discussion regarding the City Council drive around
at the end of April. Economic Development Director Johnson said there will be a press release to inform the public of the fiber ring and other public information regarding broadband.
Discussion regarding the inspection of LID 51 concrete work. There are some sections that may have cracks in the newly poured sidewalks.
Adjournment 4:48 P.M.
APPROVED:
________________________________
Jerry Merrill, Mayor
Attest:
_______________________________
Deputy City Clerk, Marianna Gonzalez