HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007/05/07 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session CITY OF OFFICIAL MINUTES
T. LOUIS CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
RK MAY 7, 2007
The meeting convened at 6:45 p.m.
Councilmembers present: Mayor Jeff Jacobs, Phil Finkelstein, Paul Omodt, Susan Sanger and
Loran Paprocki.
Councilmembers absent: C. Paul Carver and John Basill arnved at 7:05.
Staff present: City Manager (Mr. Harmening), CIO (Mr. Pires), Broadband Coordinator (Mr.
Landis), Community Coordinator (Mr. Zwilling) and Recording Secretary(Ms. Schmidt).
Guests. Tom Asp, Columbia Telecommunications Corporation; Scott Millar, ARINC, Don
Mountzen, Proxim; Henry Camacho, UnpluggedCities
1. Wireless Design
Mr. Pires gave an updated report on ParkWiFi. He stated they are trying to balance the
performance of the network, solar exposure of the network, wireless propagation of the radio
signals, as well as trying to address some of the esthetic concerns. He stated in reality, they
would need to have four hundred points somewhere, on buildings and/or co-located on traffic
signs, and for those that couldn't be done that way, trying to put them in the least conspicuous
places possible
Mayor Jacobs asked how soon they could get back on track if they decided to move forward.
Mr. Pires stated tomorrow, stating they would get back with people who have had concerns.
Mayor Jacobs asked when he thought it would get built out. Mr. Pires stated Phase I would be
July 21st as opposed to June 1st
Mr. Millar stated they would start staking next week, order the poles and digging would be done
in about three weeks.
Mayor Jacobs asked if the bulk of project would be done within the year. Mr. Pires stated yes,
stating service to Phase I, July 21st; Phase IV, October 14`h, with about a six-week over all delay.
Councilmember Sanger asked if were possible to locate any of the panels on private property
Mr. Pires stated it doesn't seem possible during this first phase. Councilmember Sanger asked if
it was likely unfeasible throughout the rest of the City Mr. Pires stated yes.
Councilmember Finkelstein asked if when Frank Landis meets with property owners, would he
be addressing the 5 — 10 foot moving radius. Mr. Pires stated they would be trying to place them
mostly at intersections, stating those that were in front of a house, would need to be looked at to
see how they could technically make them work with the most desirable placement.
Councilmember Finkelstein asked if it would change the cost options given. Mr. Pires stated it
would still keep it within Options 3a or 3b.
Study Session Minutes -2- May 7, 2007
Councilmember Sanger stated it's important to remember the complaints specified by
homeowners, still keeping in mind the overall clutter of the taller poles.
Mr. Pires stated that with Option 2, it would change the pole color everywhere and would allow
the 16-foot poles to be used for solar coverage.
Mr. Harmening stated Citywide they would be installing about 400 poles with panels and
transceivers; 200 would be at intersections and co-located with street and/or stop signs, stating
the assumption is that those locations are acceptable. He stated that would then leave about 200
more complicated, but asked how many they were really talking about.
Mr. Millar, ARINC, stated less than 10 percent of the total, so about forty.
Councilmember Omodt asked who would deliver the bad news to the property owners. Mr.
Landis stated he would be. Mr. Pires stated they would try to minimize the bad locations and
tweak as much as possible.
Mr. Millar stated that out of the forty that would need adjustments, probably only ten would be
objectable.
Councilmember Omodt asked if there is any concern with graffiti on the poles. Mr. Pires stated
it's crossed their minds and they hope to have some surveillance cameras.
Councilmember Paprocki stated he thought the best solution would be Option 3 and would like
to keep the project going. He also asked how many blocks would be between the solar panels.
Mr. Pires stated about a block and half to two blocks
Councilmember Sanger asked if they have considered locating them on City owned light poles.
Mr. Pires stated yes. Councilmember Sanger asked when the posts would be going out. Mr.
Pires suggested the markings would be later this week or next week. Mr. Millar stated you can't
do locates too far in advance and they'll have to re-do some markings. Councilmember Sanger
asked when the stakings would be done. Mr. Pires stated closer to the delivery of the poles and
Mr. Millar stated perhaps two—three weeks, around June 1st
Councilmember Finkelstein asked if brown would be the color on all poles. Mayor Jacobs stated
they all should be brown. Councilmember Finkelstein requested that a card get left on door if the
property owner is not home, so they know contact was attempted. Mr. Pires stated that Mr.
Landis would be doing that.
Mayor Jacobs stated that all the poles may not be likeable to all property owners, but technically
they'll need to be there or the system won't work.
Councilmember Sanger stated that some property owners might have already came up with a
location solution. Mr. Pires stated that tweaking is what they're expecting to do.
Councilmember Finkelstein stated it appeared Council would approve going ahead with Option 3.
Study Session Minutes -3- May 7, 2007
Councilmember Sanger asked that they limit the use of really tall thick poles. Mr. Pires asked
ill
for Council's preference Mayor Jacobs stated his preference would be only where they are
really needed. Mr. Pires stated suggested Option 2, from the technical perspective.
Councilmember Finkelstein asked if it would still be within the contingency. Mr. Pires stated
yes. Councilmember Finkelstein asked if there would be any savings. Mr. Pires stated they
received wholesale pricing on the customer gateway devices, saving the City about $200,000.
Councilmember Basill stated his perspective is still it should be a pnvate public partnership, with
the risk on a private partner. He stated he wasn't in support of the additional dollars.
Councilmember Finkelstein stated they are already responsible for the bulk of the money spent.
He thought it would be more irresponsible not to go forward. Councilmember Basill stated he is
pro-WiFi,just not with the risk of City money.
Councilmember Finkelstein asked if it would be an additional $140,000 with Option 2. Mr. Pires
stated yes.
Mr. Pires stated the concern is, the more they delay, the more momentum is lost and it reflects
itself in the revenue. He also stated, in addition to concerns, he has heard responses back that
people are very supportive in moving forward.
The meeting adjourned at 7:17 p.m. 7/----\11110 --Th/l/t4/7 G-7 T;e:,,,,,,e. (e-qt
Nancy Stroth, City Clerk Jeff Ja obs!Ma or