Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Information Technology

TO:	Dave Corliss, City Manager
FROM:	James Wisdom, Director of Information Technology
DATE:	April 29^th, 2014
RE:	Dawn Fiber Project

Background

On December 17^th, 2013 the City Commission approved a license agreement with Dawn Fiber, LLC, dba Free State Broadband for the installation of fiber in various city rights-of-way.  Dawn Fiber plans included installing fiber conduit from 5^th & Tennessee Streets in Lawrence to Baldwin City, Kansas, (see map).   The agreement included plans to install three conduits, two for Dawn Fiber and one 1-1/4” conduit for the City of Lawrence.  During the meeting some of the commission asked what it would cost to increase the conduit size to 2-inch conduit.  The conduit proposed for this project comes near nineteen (19) City buildings or infrastructure needs and will save the City approximately $300,000 in initial installation costs. In addition to the buildings and traffic signals served, the fiber will allow for us to create fiber rings for some of the existing fiber on 23^rd Street. 

Conduit Size Consideration Issues

Installing a 1-1/4-inch conduit would allow the City to install a 288-count fiber.  Installing a 2-inch conduit would allow installing a 432-count fiber.  The 432-counter fiber allows for 50% more fiber, but the costs are more than double since it is a lesser used fiber count.

Costs Comparison

The attached spreadsheet compares the costs between the 1-1/4” and 2” conduit options.  The 1-1/4” conduit expenses are listed as “Option 1,” and the 2” conduit expenses are listed as “Option 2.”  The costs do not include splicing and splice cases as the number of splices is yet to be determined and will depend on what buildings may be approved on the initial installation of the fiber.  The approximate distance of the conduit path is about 19,000 feet.  The conduit price includes 20,000 feet of conduit which allows approximately 5% for waste.  The fiber price include 20,900 feet of fiber to allow for the excess fiber that is stored in loops in the hand holes, which allows for slack in times of repair.  Dawn Fiber would be installing the fiber conduit and hand-holes per the agreement at no-charge, but the approximate values of that installation are shown and credited on the comparison.  The cost differences for the two sizes is estimated at $82,764.94

Staff Recommendation

The I.T. and Public Works staffs recommend installing the proposed 1-1/4” conduit.

Action

Authorize the City Manager to advise Dawn Fiber to install the 1-1/4” conduit and hand-holes for the City per the existing license agreement.