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METRO-�INET — A Network Collaborative. In the past 10 years, the City's use of telecommunication and networking technologies has grown significantly. The City now operates and depends on a sophisticated local and wide area network that connects staff at all City facilities for voice and computer communications. Through intergovernmental agreements this advanced network is extended to 14 other public agencies who together with Roseville engage in a cost sharing partnership to reduce each agencies individual cost of technology which in turn provides all agencies access to more advanced technologies than they could obtain on their own. In its current form the collective group is called METRO-INET, a name based on the underlying security domain that encompasses all resources within the network. Sharing Technology. The purpose of METRO-INET is to manage and support shared enterprise applications. These applications include network control and access (Active Directory), Exchange emait, security management including spam and virus protection,, managed Internet access via a shared DS3 (45Mbps), connection, and other common applications like Microsoft Office. Most of the agencies also cost share the operation of a world class VoIP Telephone system from Cisco, a leading IP telephony manufacturer. The group currently cost shares 6 FTE technology workers that support 900 users. Sharing Infrastructure. There are currently 43 public buildings connected on a shared metropolitan area network. The network is critical for the distribution of centralized applications and services to the member cities. While some cities have already installed fiber optic communication lines between their facilities,, the vast majority of the fiber optic infrastructure is provided by Comcast as part each City's cable television local franchise agreement (LFA)l. But many portions of the network still operate on outdated coaxial cable connections which do not provide the reliability necessary to sustain advanced applications like IP telephony and GIS applications. With the uncertainty of the future of local cable television franchising due to pending and potential federal and state regulations, and the absence of high speed fiber optic connectivity to many institutional facilities, it is important that agencies begin to deploy publicly owned fiber optic networks to meet long term technology needs and continue the successful cost sharing programs already in place. Sharing Opportunities. METRO-INET is a consolidated network. All resources within the network are accessible to every employee based on access permissions. This has allowed agencies within the group to effectively cost share other municipal services beyond IT support. Roseville, Falcon Heights, and Arden Hills cost share civil engineering staff With information resources centrally located and accessible from anywhere on the network, the office mobility feature provides engineering staff immediate and direct access to both data and voice services regardless of their location. Other initiatives include North St. Paul and Roseville cost sharing GIS services. And Little Canada, Arden Hills, and Roseville cost share financial application software and support services. Looking forward. Joint Meeting of the Roseville City Council and Roseville Area School District Board June 25,, 2008