The Pella City Council received an extensive update about a proposed municipal telecommunications utility at their meeting Tuesday. City Administrator Mike Nardini gave a presentation covering several aspects of the project that would bring city-operated, high-speed internet, video, and phone services to all households and businesses in the Pella corporate limits. Many of the topics discussed during the meeting came from a business plan developed in conjunction with Farr Technologies over the past year. Nardini showed findings from a survey, showing strong community support for the utility and having it run by the city, especially with a preference for local customer service. A preliminary timeline was also shown, with the goal of construction in 2020 and roll out of the internet, video, and voice services in early 2021. Other aspects, including staff and facilities needs, were also shown to council, which starts with hiring a telecommunications director by this August. Financial details — including cost and potential rates, were not available for the public during this work session, according to Nardini, citing Iowa Code. He did indicate to council that there is a strong belief that the project can be accomplished as it was presented, citing the support of the consultants assisting him with development of the project. Ultimately, though, all decisions about how the project is completed will be decided by council. The next step for the Pella City Council comes at the July 16th meeting, where they will vote on an engineering services agreement to begin development of the utility.

Preliminary Timeline
July 16 – Engineer Contract
Aug 2019 – Utility Director Starts
Aug-Dec 2019 – Engineering design phase
Sep/Oct 2019 – Council establishes max borrowing amount (required legislative action)
Sep/Oct 2019 – approval of new facility engineering contract, renovation of city hall
Dec 2019 – Council approves Telecommunications portion of debt issue
Jan 2020 – Council approves construction contract for fiber optic network
Feb 2020 – FY 2021 Budget Work Sessions, Economic Development Director position discussion as well
May – Dec 2020 – Construction of fiber optic network
2020 – Council approves electric/water/telecom utility debt issue for the network
2020 – Telecommunications staff hired
Jan – Sept 2020 – New Utility billing system installed
Mar – Oct 2020 – New telecommunications facility constructed
Spring 2021 – Telecommunications utility operational

BASE OPERATIONS
New Facility at Truman Road – Director, Network Engineer, Field Technician Supervisor, Support Staff, Two Field Technicians (more if needed, depends on demand)

Customer Service at City Hall (renovation) – Customer Service Manager, Three Utility Billing Specialists

Consultants
Curtis Dean (Marketing, Video Services, Voice Services) – SmartSource Consulting
Ben Stineman (Network Engineer, Utility Billing Consultant) – Fuse Technology
Mike Maloney (Financial Consultant) – D.A. Davidson
NewCom Technologies (Network Design, Outside plant and central offices)