DEPARTMENT: Transportation & Capital Improvements
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Mike Frisbie, P.E.
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT: Funding Agreement: AT&T for Light GIG Fiber Network Coordinator
SUMMARY:
An ordinance authorizing the execution of a Funding Agreement between the City of San Antonio and AT&T, accepting $106,000 as a reimbursement to fund the first year for a network coordinator position through September 30, 2016 with an option to accept funding on a year-to-year basis.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Beginning in June 2015, AT&T Texas started expanding its Light Gig Fiber communications network throughout San Antonio. In order to achieve full build out of its Light Gig network, AT&T Texas must install its fiber lines in City’s Right of Way. To protect the health, safety and welfare of the public and minimize impact to vehicular and pedestrian traffic, the City requires personnel to coordinate and inspect the installation of AT&T Texas’ fiber lines. Discussed in FY 2015, to facilitate the coordination, permitting, and inspection of AT&T Texas’ fiber lines, AT&T Texas agreed to provide funding for a network coordinator position that was added as part of the FY 2016 Budget. For AT&T Texas, the network coordinator has reviewed, coordinated, and approved over 100 active Right of Way permits for Light Gig construction and is monitoring approximately 53 construction crews working within San Antonio’s Rights of Way.
ISSUE:
This ordinance authorizes the execution of a Funding Agreement between the City of San Antonio and AT&T Texas, accepting $106,000 as a reimbursement to fund the first year for a network coordinator position through September 30, 2016, with an option to accept funding on a year-to-year basis.
As AT&T Texas has an aggressive, multi-year network deployment plan, the addition of the network coordinator position has provided AT&T Texas with a single, City point of contact for review of AT&T Texas’ Light Gig plans, granting of Right of Way Permits to install fiber lines in the City’s Rights of Way, and coordinate inspections. With one City point of contact working with AT&T Texas for construction activity in the rights of way, City staff and residents also have one point of contact for information and questions related to AT&T Texas’ Light Gig deployment. Designation of one point of contact for AT&T Texas also has resulted in better overall management of construction activities to include phasing of construction of other entities in the City’s Right of Ways.
ALTERNATIVES:
City Council could choose not to authorize this Funding Agreement with AT&T Texas. However, this would result in the City missing out on an opportunity to accept funding for a network coordinator position dedicated to coordinating AT&T efforts in installing its Light GIG fiber network.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This Funding Agreement accepts funds in the amount of $106,000 from AT&T Texas to fund an already existing network coordinator position retroactively through September 30, 2016. Funds will be deposited into the City’s Right of Way Management Fund.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the Funding Agreement to accept funds in the amount of $106,000 from AT&T Texas for funding of a network coordinator position within TCI dedicated to facilitating AT&T Texas Light GIG fiber network installation.