HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/06/2006 B A K E R S F I E L D
~ ~,~ ~-~..-~ Mike Maggard, Chair
John Stinson, Assistant City Manager Irma Carson
For: Alan Tandy, City Manager Harold Hanson
AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT
BUDGET AND FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING
Monday, November 6, 2006 - 10:00 a.m.
City Manager's Conference Room - Suite 201
City Hall, 1501 Truxtun AvenUe, Bakersfield, CA
1. ROLL CALL
The meeting was Called to Order at 10:05 a.m.
Present: Councilmembers Mike Maggard, Chair; and Harold Hanson
Councilmember Irma Carson arrived at 10:15 a.m.
2. ADOPT OCTOBER 2, 2006 AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT
Adopted as submitted. (Committee Member Carson absent)
3. PUBLIC STATEMENTS
4. DEFERRED BUSINESS
A. Discussion and Committee recommendation regarding WiFi (wireless
Internet service) (This item heard last)
Mr. Chuck Haas, CEO and Co-Founder of MetroFi, gave a presentation.
MetroFi is a four-year old company located in Mountain View between San
Jose and San Francisco. Their business model for 2007 will be offering more
of a multi-use network and not just wireless Internet service and, therefore, the
proposal they presented to the City earlier no longer fits their business model.
MetroFi is still proposing to use City light poles in order to provide wireless
Internet service throughout Bakersfield to local residents/businesses at no cost.
The service would be supported by advertising. For a fee of $19.95 the service
would be available without the banner advertisements.
However, MetroFi is now proposing for the capital improvements they put in the
City to provide free "WiFi" service, thee City of Bakersfield pay them $50,000 per
AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT Page 2
BUDGET AND FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING
Monday, November 6, 2006
month, provide mounting access on City light poles, streamline the permitting
construction process, and use their network band for public safety. MetroFi is
proposing to also dedicate a portion of the. WiFi to the City. WiFi does not
reach very far so their proposal includes installation of approximately 30 access
points per square mile in high-density areas, but only minimal access points in
sparsely populated areas of the City.
IT Director Bob Trammell reported the City is currently spending approximately
$6,000 per month on telecommunication costs. This includes wireless service
through Verizon and AT&T.
Public Works Director Raul Rojas explained the City currently uses a
microwave system. The microwave towers and radio system used by Public
Safety and Public Works is paid for and owned by the City. The City's radio
coverage using microwave towers is very good. The mobile radios in the
vehicles operate almost to the Grapevine area. It is an old system and the
microwaves are on a replacement schedule. Radios are replaced as needed.
Upgrading City equipment from the current microwave system would require a
major investment for the City.
The Committee had several questions:
· If access points are not provided in sparsely populated areas, such as the
northeast, how would that affect emergency vehicles operating in the area?
· How would a change to MetroFi affect the City's current wireless vendors,
Verizon and AT&T?
· What would the economic impacts be on local vendors now providing
Internet service to residents, if the City were to enter a contract that would
provide free Internet service?
· As MetroFi originally proposed leasing the light poles and putting their
system in the City at no charge, what benefit is there to the City for $50,000
per month?
· If we move forward with WiFi, should the City put this out for bids?
Mr. David Rogers, Electronic Towne Crier, spoke regarding support services for
the free users other than the webpage information.
Mr. Marvin Dean, Southeast Bakersfield Computer Center, spoke about the
growth of the City, access to County pockets, and spreading the cost.
As this MetroFi proposal was different from the proposal Previously reviewed by
the Committee, City Manager Alan Tandy recommended the Committee refer
the proposal to staff for an economic analysis.
The Committee unanimously agreed and referred the MetroFi proposal to staff.
AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT Page 3
BUDGET AND FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING
Monday, November 6, 2006
5. NEW BUSINESS
A. Staff report and Committee recommendation on the Independent
Auditor's Report on Transportation Development Act Funds for Fiscal
Years Ended June 30, 2005 and 2004 (New Business Items A and B were
heard first)
Public Works Director Raul Rojas reported this is the annual independent audit
on the Transportation Development Act Funds received from Kern COG for the
Bikeway and Pedestrian Special Revenue Fund and the Amtrak Operations
Special Revenue Fund. The audit had no special findings or exceptions.
Committee Member Harold Hanson made a motion to accept the.Auditor's
Report and to recommend acceptance by the City Council. The COmmittee
unanimously approved the motion. (Committee Member Carson absent)
B. Staff report and Committee recommendation on the Independent
Auditor's Report of Rabobank Arena, Theater, Convention Center and The
Bakersfield Ice Sports Center for fiscal year ending June 30, 2006
Finance Director Nelson Smith reported this is the annual audit for the
operations of the Rabobank Arena, Theater, Convention Center and The
Bakersfield Ice Sports Center. The audit had no special'findings or exceptions.
General Manager Steve Womack provided a brief overview. The 2005-06 year
was a very good year and the 2006-07 year is looking even better.
Committee Member Harold Hanson made a motion to accept the Auditor's
Report and to recommend acceptance by the City Council. The Committee
unanimously approved the motion. (Committee Member Carson absent)
6. COMMITTEE COMMENTS
'7. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 11:15 a.m.
Attendance: Staff: City Manager Alan Tandy; Assistant City Manager John W. Stinson;
City Attorney Ginny Gennaro; Finance Director Nelson Smith; Public Works Director
Raul Rojas; Assistant City Attorney Janice Scanlan; General Services Superintendent
Steve Hollingsworth; IT Director Bob Trammell; Assistant IT Director Eddie Chavez;
Public Works Business Manager Georgina Lorenzi; and Rabobank Arena General
Manager Steve Womack
AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT Page 4
BUDGET AND FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING
Monday, November 6, 2006
Attendance others: David Rogers, Electric Towne Crier; Joe Schoenstein, Bright House
Networks; Chuck Haas, MetroFi, Inc.; Marvin Dean; Mark Howell, KUZZ; and other
news media/cameras
cc: Honorable Mayor and City Council
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