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City approves pole-attachment deal: vendor to install free WiFi at four ballfields in exchange for stepped rates
Summary
Council approved updated pole-attachment agreements that raise per-attachment fees and secure a vendor commitment to install free public WiFi at four recreation locations; staff said the in-kind value was roughly $50,000 and the contract phases fees to $21 then $27.40 per attachment.
The Westminster City Council approved revised pole-attachment agreements on May 13 that increase attachment fees and secure installation of free public WiFi at four city ballfield locations.
City staff said Northland Cable (doing business as Vibe) had been paying a discounted attachment rate and agreed to a stepped schedule that raises the per-pole fee to $21 and to $27.40 after the contract phase. In exchange, Vibe agreed to install high-speed internet service at four field locations by Aug. 1 and provide public WiFi within a 50-foot radius of each concession stand.
Staff described the trade as delivering capital-level WiFi where the city previously estimated an upfront cost of roughly $15,000 per site; the company estimated the four-site installation value at just under $50,000. The city will recover deferred revenue over the contract term via the stepped attachment rates.
Why it matters: staff said free WiFi will improve concessions and fan experience at tournaments and youth events, and the arrangement avoids an upfront capital expense for the city. The agreement also standardizes attachment fees from multiple providers.
Vote: council approved the pole-attachment agreements and associated memorandum of understanding allowing the vendor to proceed with installations.
