HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008/01/22 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session Ifl St. Louis Park OFFICIAL MINUTES
MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
JANUARY 22, 2008
The meeting convened at 7:52 p.m.
Councilmembers present: Mayor Jeff Jacobs,John Basil], C. Paul Carver, Phil Finkelstein, Paul
Omodt, Loran Paprocki and Susan Sanger.
Councilmembers absent: None
Staff present: City Manager (Mr. Harmening), City Attorney (Mr. Scott), Communications
Coordinator (Mr. Zwilling), Broadband Coordinator (Mr. Landis), Chief Information Officer (Mr.
Pires), Finance Director (Mr. DeJong) and Recording Secretary(Ms. Schmidt).
Guests: Henry Camacho, Paul Kravolec, Unplugged Cities;Tom Asp, Consultant
1. WiFi
Mr. Harmening presented the staff report.
Mayor Jacobs asked if the project could be salvaged. Mr. Pires stated that saving the project to try to
make it operational would require an additional cost of approximately$3 million.
Councilmember Sanger asked if they could realistically find another contractor to make the system
operational. Mr. Pires stated it would be unlikely that we would get the same performance
guarantees, but stated someone may complete the project under certain conditions.
Councilmember Carver asked what Mr. Pires' recommendation would be. Mr. Pires stated that
based on the business model and changes; what has been discovered and what yet may be discovered
about ARINC's network, the City would be best served by its removal.
Councilmember Finkelstein complimented staff for all their hard work and effort in the project.
Mayor Jacobs asked how long it would take to remove the installed equipment and poles. Mr. Pires
stated that would be determined in future negotiation meetings with ARINC.
Councilmember Omodt asked if the fiber optic lines would be removed. Mr. Pires stated it was
installed to support ARINC's wireless network and at this point, the value would be questionable
from a City standpoint.
Councilmember Sanger agreed reluctantly with Option 1, the removal of all installed equipment and
poles and termination of the contract.
Study Session Minutes -2- January 22,2008
Councilmember Paprocki reminded everyone that they had learned a lot in the past year.
Councilmember Carver also reluctantly agreed with Option 1, stating the project had a good basis at
its start.
Councilmember Finkelstein asked what would happen if they couldn't reach some sort of agreement
with ARINC. Mr. Harmening stated that would be discussed at a future meeting if necessary.
Councilmember Finkelstein asked about the original Pilot Program. Mr. Pires stated it still worked
and staff would be looking at options.
Councilmember Basill suggested staff provide communication to the residents on what is happening
with the system.
There was Council consensus to have staff and legal counsel undertake negotiations with ARINC,
which would provide for the removal of all installed equipment and poles and termination of the
contract. This reflects Option 1 of the staff report.
The meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m.
Nancy Stroth, tity Clerk Jeff J.cobs, M.yor