Title
Rural Community Network Improvements
Proposed Motion
That Council authorize facility improvements to the rural communications system and rural community network to be funded with up to $220,000 from the Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund (CIIF) and $400,000 from Municipal Sustainability Initiative (MSI).
Body
Administration Recommendation
Administration supports this motion.
Purpose
The purpose is enhance rural area connectivity and sustainability through improvements to community network infrastructure and facilities.
Summary
As part of the Parkland Intelligent Community Project, the County is building out a rural communications network to facilitate community sustainability and economic development. The initial part of the Project involves developing infrastructure to extend wireless high speed broadband, mobility and public safety coverage to all areas of the County and provide scalable capacity to respond to current and future demand.
Other parts of the Project include improving the rural community network facilities to provide programs that ensure residents and businesses can better utilize the Supernet. Improvements to the rural communications network will enhance the ways and means for communities in Parkland to use broadband technology to support programs.
The infrastructure improvements proposed to extend rural connectivity and broadband use include: improvement of community hall WiFi hotspots; a 24/7 Parkland community portal for organizations, residents and businesses to better communicate and provide or receive services; an online reservation/booking system for hall rentals, sports facilities, special events, workshops, training and lessons to more effectively and efficiently market facilities and programs; school bus route WiFi facilities to allow students and others using the routes access to broadband for educational, community and business purposes; mobile video conference centre equipment to better enable educational and training programming in the community halls; and virtual tour equipment to better market community halls and programs.
The rural community network infrastructure options, capital costs and operating costs will be further defined through a consultant study to be funded through a grant already received from the Regional Collaboration Program. Applications will be submitted for CIIF and MSI funding for the improvements to the rural community network infrastructure.
Strategic Plan/Policy/Legal/Staff Implications
The motion will enhance the Parkland Intelligent Community Project through improvements to the rural communications system and rural community network (Infrastructure Goal #2). It also increases the choices of lifestyle for residents and increases public safety (Quality of Life Goal #1).
Financial Impact:
Cost: $620,000
Source of Funding: CIIF $220,000; MSI $400,000
Other (As Required)