Committee approves amended report-back on fiber-optic expansion in JEDI zones

A motion introduced as item 2 by Council members McOsker and Price asking the city to study the potential to enhance and expand fiber-optic infrastructure in and around JEDI (Jobs and Economic Development Incentive) zones was continued for department input and then amended and approved as amended on Oct. 27.

Committee members said the motion needed more detail from departmental stakeholders. Committee staff continued the item so the Economic and Workforce Development Department (EWDD) and related departments could respond; the committee then instructed staff to include additional questions in the report back. Those additions include: how many JEDI zones currently exist; whether existing private-sector fiber is already present in proposed zones; criteria and metrics for assessing whether a project would effectively promote digital equity; how maintenance and long-term accountability would be handled; and projected economic and job-creation estimates the city would use to evaluate expansion.

At the meeting the amendment was moved and seconded; a roll call recorded three ayes (Council members Hernandez, Padilla and Hutt) and the committee approved the motion as amended. The committee asked the EWDD general counsel to be involved in preparing the report back and to coordinate with BSL (as referenced in the discussion), the Office of Procurement and other technical departments.

The committee did not make a final decision on construction or funding; the approved action requests a departmental report with the additional criteria and analysis specified by the committee.