SR 06:171 - Laserfiche WebLink

Public Usage of the City Network While the network will not be designed specifically for public use, staff is recommending it be available free of charge to the general public as a means of promoting economic development in the Downtown. If this use is approved, the primary public benefit would result from being able to access the Internet at City parks including Veterans Plaza, Civic, Wayside, and Delucchi Parks, while participating in Downtown events, while frequenting restaurants with sidewalk dining, or while conducting business at civic center buildings. The service would also accommodate the commerce needs of street vendors with processing credit card transactions and other services requiring the Internet. In addition, shoppers and diners may be more inclined to patronize Downtown with the knowledge that Internet access is available. While it is difficult to quantify the total impact of this benefit, this service will only add to the economic vitality of the area. Finally, staff intends to have the City's website serve as the portal page for system access that will facilitate the dissemination of City news and information. Network security will prohibit the public from accessing City servers and databases restricted for City usage. Because public access is a secondary benefit of the City Wi-Fi, it should not be viewed as competition to private sector Internet providers who are currently providing broadband, dial-up or wireless Internet access to Downtown residents, businesses or shop patrons. While some City's have installed Wi-Fi hotzones specifically as an alternative to private sector wireless or in cooperation with a selected wireless vendor, this is not the intent of the City's effort. As indicated, with the exception of City owned buildings, staff is not intending to provide equipment to provide reliable coverage in buildings. Further, while the system will be maintained to be available 24 hours a day/seven days a week, it would not be viewed as a "high priority" system for maintenance purposes and service will not be "guaranteed." As a result, like any Internet access, there could be temporary lapses in service and it is important that the public's service expectations are consistent with this fact. Notwithstanding the above, it can be expected that at least some residents, businesses and patrons may be able to access the system to a degree that meets their ongoing Internet needs and as a result, this may prompt some to cancel private sector Internet access service. As an example, a patron at a coffee shop may use the City network for casual Internet access rather than a paid service. A resident who does not require guaranteed service may determine that occasional access to the City system is preferable to a paid Internet service. Even shop owners who only require occasional service may elect to use the City service. Unfortunately, the City will not be able to restrict these uses if it elects to make the service available to the general public. As an alternative, the service could be configured to only be available to City employees. However, this runs contrary to the overall plan for the system and is not encouraged. As indicated above, some cities that have installed, or are installing, hotzones have elected to utilize a private sector wireless Internet provider (WISP) to install and manage a system. These systems, which are typically owned by the WISP, are designed to compete with wired service and are generally supported by advertising revenue, the selling of data and/or access fees. Some advantages to this model are the system is maintained on a priority basis and could benefit from SR:06:171 Page 3