08 Council Minutes (09/10/01) - Laserfiche WebLink

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City Council Meeting September 10, 2001 Page 14 City Manager Malone explained that StarNet Online Systems is our current provider of internet and wireless services and the city's offices are connected directly to StarNet. The city has a large bandwidth from StarNet, and it is utilized by city employees working at 1 st Street S. E., the Police Department, and the Public Works Departments. He said the Technology Committee and the MIS Manager have researched the methods for providing connectivity to city offices located throughout the city and have determined that wireless connections are the only options that are available for those offices located far from City Hall. The City Manager said the wireless communications are fast, secure, dependable and economical. StarNet has been shown to be the only service provider in the city that can provide the City of Paris with the bandwidth needed to allow proper communication between the various city offices. City Manager Malone advised that StarNet is requesting a five year lease with the City of Paris that will allow the placement on the city's water tower of antennas using the 2.4 and 5.8 Ghz frequencies. This will allow Star Net to provide wireless service to a larger area. City Manager Malone said as a consideration for this lease, StarNet is offering the city the following: the expansion of bandwidth provided to City Hall from 512 Kbps to 3 Mbps at no additional cost; and to provide one 1 Mbps bandwidth for wireless connections located at the two new fire stations, the existing fire station on Bonham Street, and the Water Treatment Plant at no cost. He said the use of the water tower will be non-exclusive. After discussion, a motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Manning, seconded by Councilman Bell, directing the City Manager and City Attorney to negotiate an agreement with StarNet Online Systems for non-exclusive use of the City of Paris's water tower for the placement of antennas. The motion carried 7 ayes, 0 nays. Mayor Pfiester called for discussion, consideration of, and possible action on acquiring necessary equipment and implementing policy changes to accept approved credit cards in payment of City fees.