The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About03/22/2022 03. Discussion of WiFi in Yakima 1 s F` ,1„11„4\ 4.. igikiiiiii),.... \L):.... ) BUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL YAKIMA, WASHINGTON AGENDA STATEMENT Item No. 3. For Meeting of: March 22, 2022 ITEM TITLE: Discussion of WiFi in Yakima SUBMITTED BY: Robert Harrison, City Manager Communications & Public Affairs Director Randy Beehler SUMMARY EXPLANATION: At its March 1st, 2022 regular meeting, the City Council approved a motion to have a study session scheduled in the near future to discuss the availability of WiFi in Yakima. The first study session conversation on this issue is intended to be fact gathering on current efforts ongoing in the community to improve access to broadband and a initial look of what is on the market. We have invited the School District to provide an update on how they have provided broadband access within the community, and in particular during the pandemic. We have invited Forbes Mercy to present on Yakima Broadband services and the economic provisions available for access for low income individuals. Randy Beehler will do a short presentation on the state of the franchises and how the marketplace is starting to develop for additional broadband services and competition in the marketplace. At a future study session we will invite the Broadband Action Team (BAT)to speak on their countywide efforts to provide broadband. The Administration will need more clear policy direction from the Council on what role the City has in the broadband and wi-fi marketplace. This effort could be as broad as trying to bridge the digital divide to insure affordable access to a full blown municipal network. There are significantly different policy outcomes and capital and operational investment that would be needed to meet the policy outcomes defined. My thought was to conduct fact gathering first to better understand the current marketplace and ongoing efforts in the community. ITEM BUDGETED: NA STRATEGIC PRIORITY: NA APPROVED FOR SUBMITTAL BY THE CITY MANAGER RECOMMENDATION: N/A 2 ATTACHMENTS: Description Upload Date Type a memo 3/18/2022 Cofer Memo 3 f ,;s "�''• yt iTsenfices i e 4 ' y ` 129 N Second Street ;5. Yakima, WA 98901 The concept of free Wi-Fi in parks has been discussed various times over the past few years. City staff has identified considerations for implementing free Wi-Fi in our parks: 1. Money:We approached one vendor about putting together a proposal to add Wi-Fi to Gilbert, Miller and MLK parks. They came back with a very rough guesstimate of$5,000+to put together a plan and proposal for a Wi-Fi mesh in three of our parks. We expect Miller Park to be the most inexpensive of our major parks. At this time,we estimate an upfront cost of$50,000 to$60,000. Approximately 1/3 of this is for the required technical equipment and internet service with the rest to cover electrical and other expenses. Additionally,we estimate an ongoing annual equipment replacement fund of$3,500 to$5,000. 2. Security: One of the major disadvantages of public Wi-Fi lies in its inability to: a. Offer proper security to the users. Public Wi-Fi networks are often a target of hackers. This opens up other Wi-Fi users to attacks from these potential hackers. b. Properly shut down malicious or illegal activity of the Wi-Fi users. This could include, pornography, illegal downloading of media, etc. While we have the ability to restrict this to a degree,we would not be able to completely do so. 3. Total number and physical size of the Parks: The Yakima Parks and Recreation Division maintains 41 parks and City owned properties covering 375.41 acres. Some of these parks, like Randall Park and Kiwanis Park, are large areas that would be difficult to provide free Wi-Fi. 4. Wi-Fi in the parks may be overlapping existing free Wi-Fi services. Yakima already has several free Wi-Fi locations available:Yakima Regional Library,Yakima Transit Buses, North Town Coffeehouse, Dutch Brothers,Starbucks, McDonald's, Panera Bread,Target, Best Buy, etc. According to WiFi App,a free mobile app tested by IT Services,there are over 200 free or crowd sourced Wi-Fi networks in Yakima. Screen Capture from WiFi App of some of the available Wif-Fi networks in Yakima CES 4111) • • .1" S irf • • .^ !ma upercent �—r w ui.cni - i Ya a 4 Should the City Council decide that providing Wi-Fi to the general public is a necessity, it is the recommendation of staff that we look into providing Wi-Fi only at existing community serving locations such as: The Henry Beauchamp Jr. Community Center,Washington Fruit Community Center and the Harman Center as a more cost-effective route that provides the means to monitor usage and potentially lessen the liability. However,we do not if these centers are interested in this service and do not have a true cost estimate at this time. Should Council decide that providing Wi-Fi to the general public within our parks, it is the recommendation of staff to test this service at one of these parks. Park Address Acres Current Amenities Gilbert Park N. 50th&Lincoln 10.9 Parking lot, open space,picnic tables MLK Jr.Park S. 8th Street&Race 3.48 Spray park,playground,picnic shelter,picnic tables, Street mini soccer,basketball courts Miller Park N. 4`" Street and E"E" 3.96 Picnic shelter,performance area,playground,picnic Street tables,basketball courts During the 2017—2022 Comprehensive Master Planning process for Yakima Parks and Recreation, a community wide survey was conducted. Surveys were sent to 4,500 homes. A survey for our next Comprehensive Plan will be conducted in early 2021 and a specific question could be asked about the level of interest in free Wi-Fi in the parks. 5 : 0 O pp �pp N C N G O Y N rl N In LIJ 1cccc In i 1 3 - __ f^ h �! ,1 v. a Z N ni. W v" ir+ a i N O i .°il 4 " wIii a. m of a n 0 rmlg i g �° g 3 W S s. E t 1 Q I EE _ 1 o 0 ID i i N 6 2019 Master Plan for Lions & Franklin Pools Survey If funding can be found for the renovations at Franklin Pool, what improvements are needed? Rank 1 to 14 1.5 Waterslides 1.5 Family Restrooms 3 Spray Toys 6 Beach Entry 6 Concessions 6 Picnic Area 7.5 Lobby/Waiting area 9 Lap Lanes 9 Lazy River 9 Water Playground 10 Shaded Grass Area 11 Climbing features 11.5 WiFi 14 I Don't Know { 15 Other If funding can be found for the renovations at Lions Pool, what improvements are needed? Rank 1 to 14 1 Waterslides 2 Floatables 3 Family Restrooms 4 WiFi 6.5 Spray Toys 6.5 — Lap Lanes 7 Concessions 7.5 Climbing features 7.5 I Don't Know 10.5 Beach Entry 10.5 Water Playground 12 Lobby/Waiting area 13 Lazy River 14 Other Distributed t the Meeting 3 . �3 BroadbandinYakima A discussion of current Internet availability, funding options, potential for city Internet services, how public-private partnerships work, and history of municipal Internet projects. Prepared for the Yakima City Council Study Session - o3/22/2022 by Forbes Mercy, President —Washington Broadband, Inc. • We have come a long way from forming the first Internet company as dial-up in late i994, after the National Science Foundation allowed private companies to access the Government formed Internet which was originally built for the military and colleges. • CurrentlyYakima is served primarily by Spectrum (formerly Charter) with a city-wide cable and fiber network. Other fiber Current companies have entered the Yakima market mostly serving niche large customers from fruit companies to medical facilities. Several Internet Yakima arterial streets already have capacity of fiber run on the • power poles with little room for new providers, or a city initiative. Providers While the phone companies were the last to enter the Internet, they still use their copper systems and occasionally build fiber. DSL is slower in speeds the farther away from the Central Office. • The remainder of Internet is from Wireless providers. There are five Wireless providers mostly serving residences in rural Yakima and backing up wired connections for redundant links to area businesses, both in-town, and throughout the county. Due to the technological nature of the Internet many policy makers are subject to overreacting with constituent claims that Internet speeds are slow for them. There are many reasons why Internet slows down, and each claim should be filtered with how they are using the Internet, and what plan they subscribed to. The Federal Communications Commission 3 years ago set a io/mbps download with i/mbps upload minimum. The newer recognized standard is 25mbps/down with 3/mbps upload. During Speed of the Covid with people working at home more, the need for greater Internet upload speeds is changing the design of the Internet once again. While the average user has historically used about 8- 12mbps/download that number is escalating quickly. It is generally accepted that users now consume 12-25mbps/download with uploads increasing to io/mbps upload. The claims by the Fiber Association that gigabit speeds are necessary in order to "Future Proof" the Internet are more of a sales pitch for buying fiber. Very few people will ever need gigabit speeds. Most local providers are currently providing very adequate speeds to meet the needs of the Yakima valley. • The initial motivation for discussing community accessible Internet started with Yakima Parks. • Quotes obtained by previous council research yielded very high numbers. Using existing facilities from the cable company at each park with low-cost Wi-Fi facilities will work for years with minimal maintenance required, which could be performed by your own IT How Can department. • The worry with park Internet is the surrounding neighbors using Yakima Benefit that instead of their own private connections. It's an easily solved problem by assigning "leases" or time allowed connections whereas after 2 hours their connection is dropped. That will discourage most abusers yet allow a reasonable time for park users to catch up on their work while at the location. • The idea of overbuilding established Internet networks would be a headache for the city. City hot spots are best distributed at parks. • The Internet currently is not taxed by federal statute. There are some providers who collect sales tax, but it is unknown where those funds end up because they are prohibited. Fees are often added by major providers in lieu of taxes. o The Telephone companies are trying to force the Internet under their rules which could introduce the unpopular Universal Service Fund (USF) into the Internet industry. All new taxes will make it harder to afford Internet for the poor. Affordability • The average monthly cost for Internet is $47-$69/month. • The FCC initiated the Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) subsidy for Covid relief of $5o/month. That fund has expired and been replaced with the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) which gives $3o/month subsidy. This means using the above numbers, those who qualify will only need to pay $17-$39/month for their Internet service. Far lower than power or food costs. Tribal lands get a $75/month subsidy, so they pay zero a month. Gamers often must pay more monthly, with the high graphics and bandwidth requirements. Most work-related uses work well now. • The federal government has pushed head-on into trying to get Internet to every resident and business. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has obtained billions of funding which it is entrusting to the states to redistribute. In Washington state the Commerce Department has two divisions, the State Broadband Office, and the Public Works Board Broadband Division. Both agencies have noted that they are looking for Private-Public partnerships to invest in. So far, a vast majority of the funds havegone topublic onlyfiber builds. Funding j Y Options • The FCC also has funds primarily derived from the Universal Service Fund. Most of these funds go to Telephone companies. • The state of Washington is doing a very poor job of distributing funds recently awarding 3o million they gave to 5 counties to benefit only 7,196 homes. They have legislatively reduced the unserved from 98% served to 38% by manipulating minimum allowable speeds in order to justify more government grants. • Several other funds are available due to Covid, and other congressional actions. They are described on the following pages: Overview This document outlines the current status of major broadband programs that have the How to read the program chart potential for transformative change within a Target Recipients: region as result of ongoing public support for • Open directly to consumers(e.g., broadband deployment aka "Needle Movers" Purpose of funding: Color.Overseeing Agency • subsidy) i Supports construction& FCC Funding to schools,libraries, Programs are grouped according to their i O deployment of 11 NTIA eh universities,or anchor institutions status: i broadband networks (capital) 111 USDA Funding to a public-private partnership sipl between a government entity and a • Closed/ In award: Programs that are currently Supports operations of U Treasury broadband provider in award andstage d could likelyfacilitate2022 ®broadband networks (expense) Funding open to all-public entities, deployment MI for-profit,non-profit,etc. Name of the Funding to be distributed to and/or by • Currently in play: Programs that are still open i program State, local or tribal government to application during 2022 I • Forthcoming: Known major programs that Rural Digital Opportunity Fund Phase I Ai S9.2B Total Funding have not yet opened application windows but ' Award:$16M Format: Reverse Auction Award method will likelysignificant 2022 Average or Range of —�• 9 see s 9 activity in Individual Awards (Auction,Grant, Status: 581 winners;$2.788 currently approved Loan,etc.) t Currently known results or timing "Needle-Movers": Major Federal Broadband Opportunities as of Jan 2022 Closed/In Award Currently in Play . Forthcoming $17.6B $50.48 :SE::-; OtEural Digits tippartuittyFurd'Pl+asr lilt Reconnect Phase Ill Awj $1.15B O 8roadband Equity,Access,&Deployment(BEAD) $42.SB Avg.Award:$16M Format: Reverse Auction Avg.Award:$100K $50M Format:Grants&Loans Avg.Award: TBA Format: TBA Status: 581 winners;$2.78B currently approved Status: Applications due Feb 22,2022 I Status: Rules Q2'22; Deployment 1H'23 pending maps 0 Emergency Connectivity Fund th $7.28 a ARPA Coronavirus Relief 111 -$35B 0 Middle Mile Infrastructure Fund llaj Si B Avg.Award:$389K Format:Application Avg.Award.varies Format:varies Avg.Award: TBA Format. I brk. Status: 10,751 applicants; $4.2B obligated Status: For costs incurred 3/2021 thru 12/2024 I Status: Rules-Q2 2022; Deployment 1H 2U23 le Broadband Infrastructure Program 1N1$268M 0 Affordable Connectivity Program it, $14.2B $ Tribal Connectivity lilt $28 Avg.Award:$SM to$30M Format: PPP Grant Avg.Award:$30/mo/HH Format:Subsidy program Avg.Award: TBA Format: TBA Status: $2 5B in requests from 230 applicants Status Open for application Status: Rules-Q2 2022. Deployment 1H 2023 Tribal Connectivity Program $980M T.. \Rem nnect Please illy` \NU\ \1`\`\`,\� Avg.Award:$1M to$SUM Format:Grant (,, Capital Projects Fund 11 $103 Avg.Award: TBA Format:Grants&Loans Status: $58 in requests from 280 applicants I Avg.Award:TBA Format:IBA Status: To follow Phase Ill;est.late'22/early'23 Status: States grant plans:9/22; likely 2023 �,.I Distance Learning&Telemedicine I $2B &Consumers Ai Open to all >_. \r. ; Target ch Schools,Libraries,Anchor Institutions Avg.Award:TBA Format: Grants Recipients NePublrc-Private Partnerships Abbreviations Status est. 1H 2022 TBA-Tu Be Armuum.ed - ltt Per State.Local Government,Tribe Pc.'-p„U„c i'„watt.Fartneishp 1M-Fn,t Half Federal Agency: .FCC ■NTIA .USDA . Treasury Fund Purpose: 0Construction&Deployment Capital °Operating Expenses(Subsidies l Pro ra m Overviews IA g � NIII NTIA :::ry Closed/to Award $17.6B Program Total Purpose "Unserved" For more Target Speeds Status Funding Speed' info Build&operate broadband in Rural Digital Auction Started Oct'21; Closed � Opportunity Fund $9.2B over 10 unserved or underserved areas; Lacks 25/3 service Varies generally Nov'21; long form applications lick Phase I years awarded through a competitive, 1Gbps under review reverse auction Funding program for schools& FCC offering through multiple Emergency "windows"; 2nd window closed link ▪ Connectivity Fund $7.17B libraries to connect students/patrons N/A N/A Oct'21;$4.2B obligated thus far; to address the"Homework Gap" future windows TBD Closed Aug'21; NTIA received Broadband Build broadband in areas lacking 25/3 100/20,though nearly 10x the demand in funding III Infrastructure $268M service through public-private Lacks 25/3 prioritizes"future proof" for available amount;currently Il ink Program partnerships services networks(e.g.,fiber) under review with awards likely in 1H'22 Tribal Connectivity Build broadband infrastructure& 25/3 service minimum Program $980M provide adoption projects in tribal Lacks 25/3 service (higher speeds will be Iiv,k areas without service more competitive) Total $17.6B 1 For definition of broadband service,most programs denote using downlink speeds vs.uplink speeds in Mbps,e.g.,25/3=25 Mbps downlink/3 Mbps uplink ■ Program Overviews ® FCC USDA � NTIA Treasury Program Total Purpose "Unserved" For more Target Speeds Status Funding Speed' info Build broadband in rural areas(rural per USDA definition);provides grants, Accepting applications thru Reconnect Phase III $1.158 loans, or combos up to$50M Lacks 25/3 service 100/100 2/22/22 (grant/loan)possible $3508 provided to States, Counties, Cities,and other localities to respond Availability varies by state; per ARPA Coronavirus -$35B to affects of COVID-19; can be used for Target 100/100(min Treasury rule,will cover eligible Relief (est. 10%of broadband infrastructure;awards Lacks 25/3 service 100/20 but path to costs from March 3,2021 through link total$3506) governed by individual state and local serve 100/100) December 31, 2024 programs(could include grants, RFPs, loans, etc.) Provides a$30 per mo discount on broadband service to eligible households($75/mo in tribal areas); Program is open to all providers in Affordable consumers must register and provider and consumers;administered Connectivity Program $14.2B has to be enrolled in the program; N/A N1A through Universal Service participation can serve as a validated Administrative Company "low cost"offer required for some broadband infrastructure programs Total 550.4E 1 For definition of broadband service.most programs denote using downlink speeds vs.uplink speeds in Mbps,e.g.,25/3=25 Mbps downlink/3 Mbps uplink Program Overviews ■ FTC.7R NTIA ::: , Forthcoming $59.SB Total "Unserved" For more Program Purpose Target Speeds Status Funding Speedl info Payments to eligible governments to carry Target 100/100(min States applied for funding;need to Capital Projects Fund $10B out critical capital projects,including Lacks 25/3 service 100/20 but path to serve provide"grant plans"by Sept'22;funds I nk broadband deployment 100/100) distributed through State programs Broadband Equity, Money for states and territories for NTIA required to announce program ▪ Access,&Deployment $42.5B broadband deployment,mapping,and Lacks 25/3 service Min 100/20 rules 6 mo following infrastructure bill (BEAD) adoption projects (signed December'21)-expect May'22 Funding to extend middle mile program announcement with rules;NTIA ▪ Middle Mile currently soliciting comments on rules; SIB infrastructure to enable service to unnerved N/A N/A link Infrastructure Fund Following announcement,NTIA to begin and underserved areas distribution to states and eligible Assume 25/3 service governments/entities following In Tribal Connectivity Add additional funding to existing Tribal$2B Lacks 25/3 services minimum(per currentannouncement;likelylate'22/early '23 Program Connectivity Program program) before deployment Likely same as ReConnect Phase III though Assume lacks 25/3 Infrastructure bill included add!$26 for II ReConnect Phase IV $2.8 some rule changespossible service TBA ReConnect;timing to follow Phase III, link 9 likely late'22 at earliest Program to support connecting rural communities with global resources,e.g., Infrastructure bill included add'I$2B for ▪ Distance Learning& ReConnect;timing to follow Phase III; $2B schools,universities, hospitals in other TBA TBA link Telemedicine areas(incl.through broadband expect window beginning in 1"half of 2infrastructure) Total $59.58 1 For definition of broadband service,most programs denote using downlink speeds vs.uplink speeds in Mbps,e.g.,25/3=25 Mbps downlink/3 Mbps uplink ■ USDA Other programs not included in our summary ' FCC ■ p g E NTIA EDADA Rural Digital Opportunity • Originally allocated additional $11 B for a Phase II auction Fund Phase II • Not included due to low likelihood of occurrence n the next 18 to 24 mo - likely to be reviewed and potentially undergo a format change Universal Service Funds • Not included since funds generally require eligible telecommunications carrier(ETC) status and total amounts annually unlikely to be significant compared to other sources • Expected to potentially occur in 1 sx half of 2022 Community Connect Grants • Not included due to historically low size of funds relative to other programs (total of -$160M in grants since 2013) • Provides low interest loans for telecommunications networks in rural areas Telecommunications Loans • Not included due to difficulty in access: requires ILEC with ETC status but language suggests could be open to any other ETC in the area Connecting Minority • $288M available for supporting minority institutions; application window closed in December 2021 Communities Pilot Program • Not included due to low expected award (<$3M) and total funding below $500M Economic Adjustment • $500M Offered through Economic Development Agency Assistance Program • Not included since funds must go to a public entity. private providers cannot own the broadband assets According to Broadband USA,there were 90 different federal programs in FY 21 which can support broadband deployment, adoption, and usage but these programs are unlikely to be highly relevant for a broad swath of providers and were not included in this document • Rural Digital Opportunity Fund Phase I - https://www.fcc.gov/auction/9o4 • Emergency Connectivity Fund - https://www.emergencyconnectivityfund.org/ • Broadband Infrastructure Program - https://broadbandusa.ntia.doc.gov/resources/grant- programs/broadband-infrastructure-program Footer link • ReConnect Phase III - https://www.usda.gov/reconnect • ARPA Coronavirus Relief- page for each https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/136/SLFRF-Final-Rule.pdf fund listed • Affordable Connectivity Program - https://www.fcc.gov/acp • Capital Projects Fund - https://home.treasury.gov/policy- above issues/coronavirus/assistance-for-state-local-and-tribal- governments/capital-projects-fund • Broadband Equity, Access, & Deployment (BEAD), Middle Mile Infrastructure Fund, Tribal Connectivity Program - https://ntia.gov/category/grants • ReConnect Phase IV, Distance Learning &Telemedicine - • https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/telecommunications- programs Madison, WI's attempt at a municipal broadband network: https://www.maciverinstitute.com/2018/06/173-million-madison-broadband-for-all- estimate-is-a-cold-shot-of-fiscal-reality/. Some follow-up thoughts are here: https://www.maciverinstitute.com/2o1g/11/is- tne-uty-ot-superior-about-to-repeat-madisons-costly-broadband-boondoggle/. Lessons Maciver is a conservative think-tank in Wisconsin, the numbers they use are all very Learned solid, and the issues they raise are pretty common to many, if not all, municipal Municipal broadband projects. Broadband Another good resource is at the American Consumer Institute: https://wwvv.theamericanconsumer.org/2014/o9/municipal-broadband-failure/. Finally, University of Pennsylvania Law School professors put out a study that called the overall picture of municipal broadband "sobering," and listed some deeply concerning case studies: https://www.law.upenn.edu/live/files/6611-report municipal-fiber-in-the-united-states-an. • There is a myriad of funding available with the current approach to government having more of a hands-on approach to the Internet versus the private sector who built the Internet into what it is today. • All the funds have specific requirements and qualifications in order to obtain them. Some are auctions, some must go through the state of Washington, and most require a partnership with a private company. All funds also are under prevailing wage (except the FCC), and other significant government audit requirements. Conclusion • Most do not have minimum funding numbers so qualifying for community Internet facilities would likely be approved. • While there are no known legal challenges of government interfering with existing private networks, it is a legal risk to attempt to build a large scale overbuild of existing services. • I am familiar with these funding services. Any options you need to interpret in how they may apply toYakima; I am happy to help. Respectfully Submitted, Forbes Mercy, President— Washington Broadband, Inc