HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution - 2007-46 - Support for High Speed MN Broadband Policy - 03/20/2007 CITY OF EDEN PRAIRIE
HENNEPIN COUNTY, MINNESOTA
RESOLUTION NO. 2007-46
RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF A HIGH SPEED MINNESOTA BROADBAND POLICY
WHEREAS the City of Eden Prairie, on behalf of its residents and businesses, desires to be
world class in its Internet speeds and connectivity; and
WHEREAS Minnesota currently lacks a single comprehensive plan to develop an advanced
telecommunications infrastructure to all parts of the state, and some communities have meager or
no high speed communications or competitive services; and
WHEREAS available Internet speeds to most Minnesotans, both for downloading and
uploading, pale in comparison to those of citizens in many other industrialized nations in the
world; and
WHEREAS in the US we pay more for less bandwidth than consumers in leading broadband
countries; and
WHEREAS several other states and nations have formal broadband goals, and both California
and Singapore are already underway on plans to reach 1 Gigabit per-second broadband access in
the next few years and engineers are already at work on 100 Gigabit standards; and
WHEREAS Gigabit broadband (1 Gig per second) access throughout Minnesota is essential to
ensure a high quality of life and a globally competitive future for our citizens, businesses, and
communities; and
WHEREAS expanding the use of broadband technology has been shown to grow new markets
for business, enhance educational access, strengthen health care, increase the potential to attract
and retain jobs, improves quality of life and service delivery, and would provide Minnesotans
and Minnesota businesses with the capabilities necessary to compete in the today's global
marketplace.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Eden Prairie City Council, urge the
Governor of Minnesota and the State Legislature to, without delay:
• Adopt a state law enacting a goal to ensure ubiquitous two-way gigabit broadband across
Minnesota by at least 2015.
• Create and appoint a Broadband Policy Director for the State of Minnesota who will be
responsible for coordinating the policies and activities necessary to achieving the state
goal.
• Establish as part of those responsibilities, that the Director would Chair a State
Broadband Advisory Board charged with achieving statewide Gigabit access by at least
2015.
• Ensure that The State Broadband Advisory Board should include public and private
stakeholders who will:
■ Create a cohesive, comprehensive state-wide plan for the deployment of
broadband services.
■ Make recommendations on the policies, actions and investments necessary to
achieving the state's broadband goal.
■ Identify how both the public and private sector can cooperate in the needed
investments to achieve the goals.
■ Carefully preserve the option for the state, cites and counties to protect public
rights of way and participate as investors in networks or as providers of
telecommunications services if the private sector is unable or unwilling to act, or
if that best serves community needs.
■ Identify and recommend ways to eliminate obstacles to making broadband
internet access ubiquitous in the state.
■ Identify and make recommendations to the state legislature that would support
broadband goals including offering state subsidies and tax credits, and otherwise
promoting broadband deployment.
■ Research innovative strategies and programs other states, countries and
communities have used to provide gigabit broadband services ubiquitously and
the impact it is having on communities.
■ Recommend specific action steps, assessments or legislation that will provide
redundant capability to keep critical broadband infrastructure operational.
ADOPTED by the Eden Prairie City Council on March 20, 2007.
hN-
Philip Young, Mr r
ATTEST: SEAL
Kat ken Porta, City Clerk