8.3. SR 01-19-2016
Request for Action
To Item Number
Mayor and City Council 8.3
Agenda Section Meeting Date Prepared by
General BusinessJanuary 19, 2016Amanda Othoudt, EDD
Item Description Reviewed by
Support for the Minnesota Broadband Vision Cal Portner, City Administrator
Reviewed by
Action Requested
Adopt, by motion, a resolution in support of the Minnesota Broadband Vision created by attendees that
participated in the Minnesota Boarder to Boarder Broadband Conference, sponsored by the Blandin
Foundation.
Background/Discussion
The resolution supports the overall broadband vision for the state, developed by conference attendees at
the Minnesota Boarder to Boarder Broadband Conference:
“Everyone in Minnesota will be able to use convenient, affordable, world-class broadband networks that enable us to survive
and thrive in our communities and across the globe.”
Staff attended the conference, participated in the discussion, and supports the efforts to increase
broadband connectivity throughout the city of Elk River and the State of Minnesota.
The State of Minnesota recognizes that broadband is a powerful economic development tool and is
required to successfully cultivate new industries, attract new business, and retain existing industry.
Without broadband, communities like Elk River will be forced to compete against communities that
already have the infrastructure in place.
The speeds outlined in the resolution represent the remote areas of Minnesota that lack access to federal
broadband standard of 25/3. Portions of northern Elk River represent speeds less than the federal
standard. (diagram attached)
It is essential for Minnesota and Elk River to build on the region’s strengths to encourage affordable,
high-capacity broadband networks that will provide businesses with the size, speed, and reliability of
connection needed to grow and thrive in the digital economy.
By adopting the Minnesota Broadband Vision, the City of Elk River encourages the Minnesota
Legislature and Governor to provide sufficient leadership, resources and the legal framework to ensure
that the State of Minnesota achieves this vision by 2020.
Financial Impact
None
Attachments
Resolution Supporting the MN Broadband Vision for Minnesota
Sherburne County Broadband Availability Diagram
Resolution 16-____
A Resolution of the City of Elk River Supporting the Minnesota Broadband
Vision Created at the Minnesota Border to Border Broadband Conference
by Conference Attendees
WHEREAS,
The Minnesota Broadband Vision states “Everyone in Minnesota will be able
to use convenient, affordable, world-class broadband networks that enable us to survive and
thrive in our communities and across the globe”; and
WHEREAS,
broadband, or high speed internet, is essential today and increasingly essential
for community vitality, including competitive economic development, affordable and quality
health care, equitable education and effective government; and
WHEREAS,
vast areas of Minnesota and thousands of Minnesotans lack access to
affordable and reliable broadband services that meet or exceed the federal broadband
standard of 25/3 Mbps; and
WHEREAS,
the long- and short-term benefits of achieving our broadband vision will be
spread widely across our entire Minnesota community while failing to reach our broadband
vision will sentence some rural areas to second class status and permanent decline.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED
by the City Council of the City of Elk
:
River, Minnesota, as follows Adopts the Minnesota Broadband Vision and encourages the
Minnesota Legislature and Governor provide sufficient leadership, resources and legal
framework to ensure that the State of Minnesota achieves this vision by 2020.
th
Passed and adopted this 19 day of January, 2016.
John J. Dietz, Mayor
ATTEST:
Tina Allard, City Clerk
www. Co n