Universal City council approves dark-fiber interlocal with Live Oak for radio redundancy; renames Cimarron Park
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Summary
The Universal City City Council approved an interlocal agreement with Live Oak to add dark fiber redundancy for public-safety communications and voted to rename Cimarron Park and the Cimarron Clubhouse to Neville Park and Neville Clubhouse on March 4.
The Universal City City Council on March 4 approved an interlocal agreement with the neighboring city of Live Oak to install dark fiber that will provide redundant connectivity for the city’s public-safety radio system, and separately approved renaming Cimarron Park and the Cimarron Clubhouse to Neville Park and Neville Clubhouse.
Why it matters: Council members said the dark-fiber connection will provide a second, physically separate path for critical radio and microwave communications so the city can maintain dispatch and on-scene radio operations if the primary fiber route is cut.
City staff described the agreement as a lower-cost, locally negotiated alternative to an initial vendor proposal. According to staff remarks during the meeting, the vendor’s original redundancy proposal was about $300,000; staff and Live Oak representatives negotiated a less costly solution. Funding for the project will come from federal/state seized assets and police equipment funds, staff said.
During discussion, a council member asked whether the city currently has redundancy; staff replied the city’s current fiber route is a single path and, without this agreement, the city would have more cumbersome backup options that rely on Live Oak’s systems. “This provides us a much more … redundant way of transmitting our radios and communicating,” a staff presenter said.
Vote on interlocal agreement: The roll call recorded Council member Bowman, Mayor Pro Tem Fitzpatrick, Council member Puck, Council member Bridal and Council member Vaughn voting aye; the motion carried.
Separately, the council approved a Parks and Recreation Commission recommendation to rename Cimarron Park and the Cimarron Clubhouse to Neville Park and Neville Clubhouse. Parks commissioners Harry Westerfield and Janet Tennes attended the meeting; staff said the name on signage and online listings will be updated and that a historical plaque will be prepared recognizing Richard F. Neville and Carol Neville for years of community service.
Vote on park renaming: Council member Vaughn, Council member Puth, Mayor Fitzpatrick, Council member Wolman and Council member Wahl voted aye; the motion carried.
The council approved the consent agenda earlier in the meeting without amendment.
No ordinance adoption or budget appropriation for the dark-fiber project was passed at the meeting; staff indicated funding sources for the interlocal will be seized assets and police-equipment funds and that more detailed budgeting steps will follow.
