This is from the Saint Paul Issues list. I plan to attend the Wednesday meeting in St.Paul. I think I would like to see something along the lines of Chaska.net done in Saint Paul. >X-Original-To: stpaul-issues at forums.e-democracy.org >Delivered-To: e-democracy.org-special at orange.iopen.net >Date: Sun, 19 Feb 2006 13:08:38 -0600 >From: "Lee Helgen" <Lee.Helgen at ci.stpaul.mn.us> >To: <stpaul-issues at forums.e-democracy.org> >List-Id: stpaul-issues >List-Post: mailto:stpaul-issues at forums.e-democracy.org >X-Loop: stpaul-issues at forums.e-democracy.org >X-Beenthere: stpaul-issues at forums.e-democracy.org >X-Mailer: MailBoxer >Subject: Re: [SPIF] Municipal Wireless in Minneapolis > >The City of St. Paul has contracted with Springsted to conduct a >broadband technology needs assessment and economic development study >(BITS). > >As part of the study, there are two public forums to gather input. > >Wednesday, February 22 from 7:00 to 9:00 pm at the Hillcrest Rec. Center >Monday, February 27 from 7:00 to 9:00 pm at the Dayton's Bluff Rec. >Center > >For more info check out the city's website at www.stpaul.gov > >Lee Helgen >Councilmember - Ward 5 > > > >>>> "Timothy J. Salo" <salo at saloits.com> 02/18/06 3:21 PM >>> >Those of you interested in the possibility of a citywide WiFi network >in Saint Paul may be interested in what is about to happen in >Minneapolis. > >As I am sure you all know by now, Minneapolis decided to purchase >network services to meet its own internal needs, rather than build >and operate its own network. Minneapolis wanted the selected vendor >to also make wireless broadband services available to Minneapolis >residents and businesses. > >A very vocal group has argued that Minneapolis should own and operate >this network, rather than permitting an outside company to provide these >services. This group has been successful in convincing the Minneapolis >City Council Ways and Means Committee that it should accept public >testimony on ownership models for the Minneapolis wireless broadband >network. The Ways and Means Committee will meet Tuesday, February >21. Here's the agenda: > > >http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/council/2006-meetings/20060224/WMagenda2006 0221.asp > >This debate _may_ be a preview of similar discussions that might happen >as Saint Paul. There might be a few differences, however: > >o Minneapolis is fairly far along in its process towards buying > network services. It has issued an RFP, received proposals, > down-selected to two vendors, and is about to start field >trials. > It seems sort of late in the game for proponents of municipally > owned networks to insist that the city stop this process and > start all over again. > >o Minneapolis outsourced its information technology operations > in 2002, (http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/itsoutsourcingrfp/). > As far as I know, Saint Paul hasn't outsourced its IT operations > to this extent, and so may be better equipped to own and operate > its own network. > >Personally, I believe that it is preferable that discussions about >public versus private ownership occur earlier in the process, rather >than late in the game as they are in Minneapolis. I anticipate that >Saint Paul will provide a nice forum for this debate. > >-tjs > >Tim Salo >Macalester-Groveland/Dinkytown >More info: http://forums.e-democracy.org/stpaul/contacts/timsalo > >- - - - - - - - - - - >To leave St. Paul Issues Forum, >email stpaul-issues at forums.e-democracy.org with "unsubscribe" as the >subject > >This topic's messages may be viewed at: >http://forums.e-democracy.org/topic/88765 > >For digest or to update bio options (must log-in): >http://forums.e-democracy.org/stpaul/groups/stpaul-issues/ > >Citizens Guide to St. Paul >http://e-democracy.org/wiki/Citizens_Guide_to_St._Paul > >Hosted by http://e-democracy.org > >- - - - - - - - - - - >Questions about rules violations? Send complaints and items >for investigation to: stpaul-fm at e-democracy.org >- - - - - - - - - - - > > >Lee Helgen > >More info: http://forums.e-democracy.org/stpaul/contacts/leehelgen > >- - - - - - - - - - - >To leave St. Paul Issues Forum, >email stpaul-issues at forums.e-democracy.org with "unsubscribe" as the subject > >This topic's messages may be viewed at: >http://forums.e-democracy.org/topic/88816 > >For digest or to update bio options (must log-in): >http://forums.e-democracy.org/stpaul/groups/stpaul-issues/ > >Citizens Guide to St. Paul >http://e-democracy.org/wiki/Citizens_Guide_to_St._Paul > >Hosted by http://e-democracy.org > >- - - - - - - - - - - >Questions about rules violations? Send complaints and items >for investigation to: stpaul-fm at e-democracy.org >- - - - - - - - - - - > >