AUTHORIZATION TO ENTER INTO AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO THE COMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES LICENSE AGREEMENT WITH COX COMMUNICATIONS ARIZONA, LLC, FOR COMMUNICATION SERVICES AT THE GLENDALE MUNICIPAL AIRPORT
Staff Contact: Jack Friedline, Director, Public Works
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Purpose and Recommended Action
Recommendation
This is a request for the City Council to authorize the City Manager to enter into Amendment No. 1 to the Communications Facilities License Agreement with Cox Communications Arizona, LLC (Cox) for a capital contribution of $60,000 for the installation of fiber cable at the Glendale Municipal Airport (Airport).
Background
The Airport does not have wired internet access. As a result, the Airport staff and tenants rely on internet access through a satellite service provider, which is expensive and data restrictive when compared to wired internet access. The lack of reliable and cost effective internet access at the airport is a major complaint of our existing and potential tenants. City employees also experience inconsistent network access and find the current arrangement unreliable. Airport staff has identified reliable, wired internet service as an ongoing goal for airport operations.
In 2015, some tenants of the airport contacted Cox to obtain wired internet services, compelling the service provider to explore the feasibility of expanding their infrastructure to accommodate these requests. As part of that effort Cox contacted several other airport tenants outside of the terminal to obtain signed contracts for future service, exhibiting their commitment to using Cox services if available.
Analysis
Cox initially established a budget of $150,000 for the installation of fiber along Glen Harbor Boulevard, starting at the Glendale Avenue intersection and terminating south of the South Box Hangars. However, the low bid for this project came in at $221,421, and Cox decided to cancel the project due to the higher cost. The City opened negotiations with Cox ...
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