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Item 11ACity of Southlake, Texas ININUMOMMIT09 June 2, 2005 TO: Shana Yelverton, City Manager FROM: Gary Gregg, Manager of Technical Services SUBJECT: Discussion of the Proposal and Release of the RFP for the Southlake Wireless Networking Concept Action Requested: Council authorization for staff to release the RFP for the Southlake Wireless Networking Concept. Background Information: City Council has previously directed staff to pursue opportunities for wireless networking for the Town Square area. This RFP will incorporate that strategy as well as other opportunities and uses for the technology in pilot portions of the city. Staff has focused considerable research into this area. Recent proposed legislation in the Texas Legislature could have prohibited the City's entry into this technology. An impasse between the Texas House and Senate resulted in no legislation being passed thus preserving the current status quo. The intent of the RFP is to couple City Council initiatives, Public Safety needs, Parks and Public Works requirements into a pilot project. The concept of the initial project is to provide wireless coverage at 5 initial locations within the City. Town Square will have outdoor coverage in parks and open areas for public use. The Southlake Library will also benefit from this proposal as library patrons will be able to obtain a wireless internet connection from within the Library. Access points will also be located at the Public Works Operations Center, DPS East Facility, Bicentennial Park and Bob Jones Park. The Public Works Operations Center location will allow for Public Safety vehicles to upload digital video from a proposed in -car video system to a centrally located server as well as the potential to provide internet access to citizens in parks in the immediate area. The Bicentennial Park location will provide for a wireless camera that will potentially provide views of the park as well as the Bicentennial Park Water Tower. Additionally it is anticipated the Parks maintenance facility will be able to use this service and the City will be able to discontinue a DSL circuit there at a savings of about $1,400 a year. Parks also needs connectivity at Bob Jones Park for a camera and other future applications. The public will also be able to obtain internet access at both parks. The system will provide secure encryption of data for City applications as well as partitioning public use from City use. It is anticipated public use would be limited to sessions of 30 minutes or less initially. Financial Considerations: Funding for this project will come from current budgeted line items in the Support Services and Parks budgets. It is anticipated that savings from planned purchases and other funding sources will cover the cost of purchasing and installing the system. Financial Impact: The current proposal is only a pilot system. It should meet short term needs and allow for contemplated future planned build out. Should the RFP result in the award of a bid, appropriate funding for maintenance of the system will be included in the FY05 /06 budget. Citizen Input/ Board Review: None Legal Review: An RFP will be issued following approval by City Council. The successful bid will be reviewed by the City Attorney prior to resubmission to City Council for formal award of a bid. Alternatives: Council direction as to the appropriateness of this project for release to RFP. Supporting Documents: None Staff Recommendation: Council authorization for staff to release the RFP for the Southlake Wireless Networking Concept.