Item 8F
STAFF REPORT
City of Atlantic Beach
Commission Meeting
AGENDA ITEM: Funding Approval for Computer Network Data Transmission
DATE: April 13, 2006
SUBMITTED BY: David E. Thompson, Chief of Police/DPS
Keith Randich, IT Manager
BACKGROUND:
AGIJNDA ITEM #3F
MAY' 3, 2006
~"" The current City Computer Network is comprised of computers at various locations
throughout the City including City Hall, Public Safety, Public Works, Water Plants,
Waste Water Plants, and Pazks and Recreation Buildings. Currently, the only connection
~" that is made with fiber optic cable is the link between City Hall and Public Safety. The
other sites aze connected with afirst-generation wireless network.
~"' The first-generation wireless network has become extremely error-prone. It causes long
wait times for City employees located at remote locations, and it creates delays in
transmissions from equipment monitoring our water and waste water plants. We
~' recognized this last yeaz, and the Information Technology consultants with the Florida
League of Cities established "reliability" as one of our highest priorities for the computer
network goals in 2006. The wireless connection is the key network problem that we need
~. to address.
Staff has conducted extensive research into the problems and the possible solutions to the
connectivity issue. This has included reviewing options including using high speed cable
for connectivity or backup, purchasing all new and improved wireless equipment and
,~ antennas, running fiber cable to all locations, leasing lines from BellSouth, and
combining these various options. The costs have been extended out for five (5) yeazs to
make realistic price comparisons between the various options.
City IT Staff recommends replacing the portion of the wireless network that generates
the largest amount of traffic with underground fiber. This fiber would connect the Public
~„ Works facility and Water Plant 1 to the City Hall /Public Safety campus. A fiber optic
cable run in conduit is very reliable and very low maintenance. It is virtually unaffected
by the weather, and it has a life expectancy of 15-20+ yeazs. Additionally, because fiber
~, cables are commonly used for data .connections throughout the world, there is constant
research and development relative to enhancing future fiber capabilities.
~,. The water tower at Water Plant #1 (461 11~' Street) is the highest location in the City,
and it is the central hub of the wireless network. A fiber connection from the water tower
to City Hall will establish a reliable, high speed pathway to handle the large amounts of
data that is being transmitted back and forth.
0
AGENDA ITEM #SF
MAY 3, 3D06
The Public Works facility (1200 Sandpiper Lane) houses a number of City personnel that
generate a large amount of data traffic, especially through the Geographic Information
System. Since the Public Works facility is close in proximity to Water Plant 1, staff
proposes to link these locations together with fiber.
Staff members have obtained quotes for running the fiber cable between these locations,
and the lowest price quote was for $59,000.
~" BUDGET: Funding to run this cable was not included in the 2005-06 budget. When the
budget was being created, staff was in the process of evaluating and identifying the
problems/solutions associated with the wireless network. Staff did not have the
~'" information necessary to request funding for 2005-06.
Since that time, staff has invested considerable time and expertise into this project. They
~'" have determined that the numerous, daily connectivity issues create an unreliable network
for remote sites engaged in city business. These issues delay employees from
accomplishing their work, and they create delays in SCADA and security systems that are
"' dependent on the network. They also require considerable manpower from the IT
Division in maintaining and backing up remote systems. For these reasons, staff
recommends moving forward with solutions as soon as possible.
The 2005-06 budget included the purchase of some expensive IT equipment, and the
prices were based on best estimates. When it came time to make purchases, the quotes
~. came in well under budget, which has left a residual balance in the capital outlay account.
The IT Division has the 2005-06 budget to pay $30,000 of the $59,000 total.
IT Staff is recommending that the City Commission appropriate $29,000 from the City of
Atlantic Beach General Fund Reserves to cover the rest of the costs of the fiber cable.
This project could be broken into parts and installed in separate stages. However, there
aze "start up" costs to initiating the work, and if we break it into sepazate projects, the
costs will increase significantly (estimated increase approximately $10,000).
RECOMMENDATIONS: To approve $29,000 in funding from the City of Atlantic
Beach General Fund Reserves to be utilized for this project, and to authorize the IT
Division to advertise bids for running fiber cable as discussed above.
ATTACHMENTS: Basic Diagram of City Network Connecivi
REVIEWED BY CITY MANAG
ITEM NUMBER:
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MAY 8, 2006
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