Approve Amendment No. 1 to Connectivity Services Agreement with Community Anchor Institution(s) for Broadband Services

Purpose:  To approve an amendment to the Connectivity Services Agreement (CSA) with Anoka County which would extend the expiration date to August 16, 2020.

Background: At the March 15, 2011 work session, the City Council received a presentation from representatives of Anoka County regarding broadband services.  Anoka County and Zayo Bandwidth were entering into a partnership with Zayo Bandwide, LLC.  Through the partnership, Zayo Bandwidth applied for and received a National Telecommunications Information Administration grant paying 70 percent of the construction and equipment cost for the county-led effort to increase the amount of fiber optic cable in the County.  The grant-funded project constructed an approximately 286 mile fiber network throughout Anoka County linking 145 governmental institutions.  On March 22, 2011, the City Council approved the original Anoka County Connectivity Services Agreement for Broadband Services.  

The term of that agreement expires on August 16, 2015, with three, five year renewal terms included upon written  notice from both parties.  The written notice needs to be made no less than 180 days prior to termination (February 17, 2015).  The County has sent a letter expressing their desire to renew the terms of the CSA with the City of Ramsey.  Included with the letter was a draft contract amendment to be executed if the City concurs with renewing the Agreement.  The original Agreement from 2011/2012 and the amendment are both attached for Council information.  The letter notes that current service levels will continue unless the City amends the Addendum A to the Agreement. 

 

The agreement has no additional cost to the City and is necessary to continue uninterrupted service and maintenance of the system.  The service is relatively new and it will be advantageous for the City to continue to allow the service to grow.  It provides service to City municipal buildings and is an economic development advantage compared to sites that do not have direct broadband access.  The agreement would be the same as approved in 2011, with the difference being the termination date would be extended to August 16, 2020.

The could reject the agreement, but would risk a disruption or discontinuance of service.  This is not recommended, as there are no apparent issues with the service.

 

No additional funding required.

Staff recommends approval of the extension of the Connectivity Services Agreement for Broadband Services.  If Council grants approval, staff will draft the necessary notification for Anoka County.

Motion to approve Amendment No 1 to Connectivity Services Agreement with Community Anchor Institution(s) for Broadband Services at Co-Location Service Site(s).