City Council Resolution 2009-28CITY OF MONTICELLO
RESOLUTION 2009-28
IN SUPPORT OF A BROADBAND TECHNOLOGIES OPPORTUNITIES
PROGRAM (BTOP) GRANT APPLICATION THROUGH THE NATIONAL
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION ADMINISTRATION (NTIA)
WHEREAS, the City of Monticello's effort to promote long term economic and social health of
the community through development of a fiber based telecommunications system was initiated
by concerned citizens and members of the business community, and;
WHEREAS, the City Council in response to this concern conducted extensive research into the
feasibility of constructing and operating a publicly owned fiber optic system and found that
establishment of a publicly owned system would result in an enhanced economic climate through
lower telecommunication costs, greatly improved speed and better service and could be achieved
without the need for a tax subsidy, and;
WHEREAS, a preliminary plan for developing a publicly operated telecommunication system
was reviewed by the community and an associated vote of the electorate to install a telephone
switch necessary to support the plan was approved by the necessary margin, and;
WHEREAS, the City has pressed forward with further refinement of the project which is now in
a virtual turn -key condition by (1) designing and engineering a fiber optic network for every
address within the City, (2) developing a complete and sustainable business model, (3)
completing a Central Office and Head -end building, (4) installing an 11 -mile fiber backbone
network, (5) establishing a capable management program through partnership with Hiawatha
Broadband Communications and, (6) Completing a bidding process resulting in the award of a
contract to MP Nexlevel pending acquisition of financing, and;
WHEREAS, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 requires establishment of
the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) with the express purposes of (1)
providing access to broadband service to consumers in unserved areas; (2) providing access to
ultrafast broadband service in underserved areas; (3) providing broadband education, awareness,
training, access, equipment, and support to schools, libraries, medical providers, senior citizen
groups, and other entities to facilitate greater use of broadband and provide ultrafast broadband
access to low income, unemployed and vulnerable populations; (4) improving access to ultrafast
broadband service by public service agencies; and (5) stimulating demand for ultrafast
broadband, economic growth and job creation, and;
WHEREAS, the grant award criteria of the BTOP grant program are met by FiberNet Monticello
in terms of (1) long term economic development and job creation, (2) essential
telecommunications services for all addresses in the service area at reasonable prices, (3) local
accountability and customer service, (4) utilization of ultrafast broadband technology to spur
innovation, and (5) potential for partnerships with our community hospitals and medical
facilities, school system, library, public safety departments, and area townships in providing
broadband access, and;
WHEREAS, a wide variety of local businesses, residents, service and government organizations
have expressed support for an application for grant funding by FiberNet Monticello, and
WHEREAS, Federal funds under the BTOP program are needed in order for the project to
proceed.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Monticello
supports filing of a Broadband Technologies Opportunities Program grant application with the
National Telecommunications and Information Administration with the goal of obtaining
funding to complete our expanded FiberNet Monticello project, and if awarded will fund its 20%
share.
ADOPTED, this 26th day of May, 2009, by the City Council of Monticello, Minnesota.
CITY OF MONTICELLO
BY: y o
Mayor
ATTEST:
R
BY:
J ill, -it-; Administrator