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Staff reports: broadband milestones, accepted draft environmental review for riverfront plan, street-light work underway
Summary
City staff reported progress on broadband buildouts, an accepted draft environmental assessment for the riverfront master plan with a 30-day comment period, and ongoing streetlight replacements; Consolidated completed its build and Charter Spectrum continues work.
City staff updated the council on several operational projects Jan. 13, including broadband rollouts, a milestone for the riverfront master plan environmental review and ongoing streetlight work.
The city manager reported Consolidated had completed a fiber project and is signing up customers; Charter Spectrum has activated 294 locations and has 65 addresses left to reach as it secures pull permits and completes construction. Thompson said some residents switching from Starlink reported comparable service at lower cost once connected.
On the riverfront master plan, Thompson said the draft environmental assessment prepared under the National Environmental Policy Act for the Northern Border Regional Commission grant has been accepted and entered a 30-day public comment period. The draft is posted on the city website and in local offices, and a third-party consultant (the Clark Group) is available to respond to questions during the comment period.
Public works updates included a streetlight replacement program that staff reported has begun in the downtown and will continue outward; the contractor expected to complete the work barring weather disruptions. Thompson also said the power-plant demobilization work is nearly complete and the city will move to the diesel plant work next.
Staff also reported the Nordic Sun Energy agreement that will make the city an offtaker of solar-generated power remains delayed by supply-chain and interconnection timing; Thompson said testing is under way and the city should realize some cost savings from the contract during 2025.
