Memorandum

City of Lawrence

City Manager’s Office

TO:	Diane Stoddard, Interim City Manager
FROM:	Brandon McGuire, Assistant to the City Manager
CC:	James Wisdom, Micah Seybold, Todd Lohman, Randy Larkin, Mark Thiel
DATE:	November 23, 2015
RE:	RG Fiber, LLC License Agreement

Background

The proposed license agreement, if approved, would enable RG Fiber to locate fiber optic facilities in City-owned right of way in and around Robinson Park. Specifically, it would authorize RG Fiber to place a hand hole at the southwest corner of 6^th and Massachusetts streets, place a hand hole in Robinson Park next to the existing City hand hole, and install a 24-count fiber optic cable sleeve in the City-owned conduit that runs under 6^th street between those two hand holes (Exhibit A). The City would receive compensation of a one-time $500.00 payment.

The proposed agreement would enable RG Fiber to partner with Kansas Fiber Network on a project that was authorized at the November 17^th City Commission meeting. That project and the proposed license agreement with RG Fiber will enable the two companies to tie their leased dark fibers to incoming statewide backbone networks. Consistent with an objective established by the City Fiber Policy, the proposed agreement facilitates private sector progress toward enhancing internet services available to residents and businesses in Lawrence.

RG Fiber was created to build a gigabit network in Baldwin City and provide internet service. RG Fiber plans to build out its gigabit network in the cities of Eudora and Lawrence, including a network capable of providing 10 Gbps (gigabits per second) bandwidth to Lawrence residents and businesses. The City executed a license agreement with RG Fiber in December, 2013 which enabled RG Fiber to locate fiber optic facilities in certain City-owned rights of way in exchange for installations of conduit and fiber for the City. That agreement was amended in July, 2015. The City and RG Fiber also executed a Fiber Memorandum of Understanding and a Dark Fiber Lease Agreement in July, 2015.

Staff Recommendation

Consistent with the City Fiber Policy, the proposed agreement provides right of way access that facilitates enhanced internet service options for the Lawrence community. Staff recommends authorizing the City Manager to execute the proposed License Agreement.

Action

Authorize the City Manager to execute the License Agreement with RG Fiber, LLC.