Minutes 01/23/2024 - Laserfiche WebLink

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January 23, 2024  The strands would be offered to third party providers who have been approved by City Council for Franchise Agreements to utilize the City’s rights-of-way. Discussion:  The proposed ordinance would set the terms for the short-term lease of excess fibers.  The rates have been developed through analysis of the market by the City’s broadband consultant and would be $450 per strand per mile per month generally and $900 per strand per mile per month for bridge crossings.  In addition, the ordinance would provide for the following terms: All testing and connection fees to be paid by the lessee. o “Mile” means each linear mile as shown in as-built drawings of the network. o Bridge crossing rates apply for the distance between the two closest demarcation o points on each side of the bridge. The minimum leased area must be at least one mile. o The term of the lease must be at least three months and cannot exceed five years. o To be eligible to lease, the lessee or its affiliate must have been approved by City o Council for a fiber and/or cable Franchise Agreement. Except as otherwise directed by City Council, the City Manager would have o authority to enter into short-term leases meeting all of the above qualifications on behalf of the City.  Entering into short-term leases would benefit the City by (1) providing rental income and (2) assisting in the development of improved internet/cable options for Portsmouth citizens.  The short-term nature of the leases will ensure that the City does not lose any future flexibility with respect to the use of the fiber optic network. Financial Impact:  The City would receive rental income from the short-term leases. Recommended Action:  Adoption of the ordinance. Next Steps Following Council Action:  Unless otherwise directed by City Council, the City Manager will enter into leases meeting the terms established by the ordinance, as deemed appropriate. Motion by Mr. Moody, and seconded by Ms. Lucas-Burke, to adopt the following ordinance, and was adopted by the following vote: “ORDINANCE SETTING RATES AND TERMS FOR SHORT-TERM DARK FIBER LEASES.” Ayes: Barnes, Hugel, Lucas-Burke, Moody, Tillage, Whitaker, Glover Nays: None 24 - 12 - Adoption of an ordinance accepting Community Development Block Grant program income in the amount of $108,421 and appropriating said amount in the FY 2024 Community Planning and Development Program Fund. Background:  The following amount needs to be added to the appropriation for the Community Planning and Development Program for FY 2024: $108,421 of program income generated by the sale of land. Discussion:  The program income funds will be included in the FY 2024 Annual Action Plan.  The additional program income needs to be appropriated by City Council.