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Regular City Council Meeting <br /> Monday,August 11, 2014 <br /> Page 27 <br /> Mayor Roe suggested that a three year agreement with Comcast would provide <br /> the City time to figure things out and develop a planning process; at which point <br /> the agreement could be renewed, and allow the opportunity for the City to use <br /> Comcast service for city guests to determine its functionality. Mayor Roe further <br /> suggested that, in the meantime, some shorter, less complicated fiber extensions <br /> could be done to buildings as applicable. <br /> If that was agreed to, Councilmember Laliberte suggested earmarking some Park <br /> Renewal Program dollars for the purpose of expanding the fiber system, and not <br /> spend all of the funds on other items. <br /> Councilmember Etten suggested St. Paul Regional Water Board as another poten- <br /> tial partner, especially along Dale Street and McCarron. <br /> Mr. Heiser responded that, when looking at specific segments, staff considers any <br /> potential partners, but noted that it needed to be of some benefit or value to them. <br /> As an example, Mr. Heiser noted that, at Rosebrook Park, there was no potential <br /> partner there, but it was a relatively inexpensive cost for capital and construction <br /> costs, since he anticipated no possible partners within 3 — 10 years from now. As <br /> another example, Mr. Heiser noted that there were not potential partners (e.g. <br /> County signals or facilities) at Lexington Park either. When looking at some <br /> segments, the treatment plant, or booster station, or where St. Paul Regional Wa- <br /> ter may need to consider fiber for their reservoir, Mr. Heiser agreed that long-term <br /> funding sources and committed partners were important considerations. Howev- <br /> er, Mr. Heiser noted that nothing in the foreseeable future changed for Rosebrook <br /> or Villa Parks, and as suggested by City Manager Trudgeon, it seemed prudent to <br /> look at bids on small projects. With Lexington Park to come on line first, Mr. <br /> Heiser opined that it would be informative to see the public usage for that park <br /> once in use before moving forward with other facilities. <br /> While in agreement with those comments, Councilmember Willmus questioned if <br /> fiber was needed in all buildings; and opined that he was not convinced that an- <br /> swer was affirmative; further opining that some specific park buildings could just <br /> as easily be served over the VPN Internet system, and would still work quite well. <br /> In reviewing Mr. Heiser's comments, Councilmember Etten opined that Lexing- <br /> ton Park was heavily programmed, and Rosebrook Park represented a short seg- <br /> ment; and suggested using available Communication Fund dollars and authorizing <br /> those two immediately. Councilmember Etten agreed with using the Comcast <br /> Plan as a much less expensive short-term option until definite partners could be <br /> found and funding determined for extending the fiber system. <br /> Councilmember McGehee agreed with Councilmember Etten, offering her sup- <br /> port of park buildings being constructed and extremely functional; and offered her <br />