HomeMy WebLinkAbout20200608 - Utility Committee Recap
Utilities Committee Recap
Monday, June 8, 2020 @ 6:00 p.m.
Meeting Via Electronic Access Due to Health Pandemic
Councilmembers Joe Balsanek, Tina Folch, and Trevor Lund; City Administrator Dan Wietecha;
IT Manager Alan Nordquist; and Dakota Broadband Board Executive Director Carah Koch.
Chair Balsanek called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm and noted the agenda included
consideration of broadband internet and the Dakota Broadband Board (DBB).
DBB Executive Director Koch gave a presentation including an overview of the existing County
and City fiber located in Hastings, cost structure of DBB membership, opportunity for future
revenue sharing through C-Net, opportunities to expand the I-Net to additional City facilities,
and importance for economic development and emergency preparedness.
The current system meets the City’s operational needs. The SCADA communications system for
the water treatment plant and water towers is adequately handled by radio. There has not been a
push for wi-fi in the parks. The only predictable City need would be to support security camera
installation.
The Committee noted the general desire to be connected to the internet and that there may be a
long-term benefit to the City’s DBB membership. There was also a strong desire not to fall
behind the other cities in the county. Fiber is a critical utility, and it may help with economic
development. The Committee agreed that the City should continue to pursue fiber for both
immediate needs and long-term strategy.
The City may want to hire a consultant to help with visioning for how broadband might be used
in Hastings as well as potential locations to place fiber. A consultant would be hired through a
request for proposals (RFP) process, but 2021 will be a tight budget year.
Councilmember Folch made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Lund, to recommend to the
City Council that it budget for a consultant regarding fiber location and strategy. Motion
approved unanimously on a roll call vote.
Fiber may be useful for transportation and automated vehicles. MNDOT has a connected and
autonomous vehicles (CAV) office regarding future automated vehicles, which is interested in
locating fiber alongside highway projects. Councilmember Folch serves on a CAV advisory
committee.
Councilmember Lund made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Folch, to recommend to the
City Council that conduit for fiber be included with the Highway 316 project. Motion approved
unanimously on a roll call vote.
Councilmember Lund made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Folch, to adjourn the
meeting. Motion approved unanimously on a roll call vote at 7:25 pm.