REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Evaluation and Direction Regarding Wi-Fi Installation at the Corn Palace Park Project (PR-22-03), Lakewood Park Renovation Project (PR-22-01) and Plaza del Sol Project (PR-21-26)
Report
BACKGROUND
During the February 16, 2018 Study/Budget Issues Workshop, Council directed staff to evaluate Wi-Fi costs as part of major park renovation projects. Study Issue ITD 18-01, which considered providing Wi-Fi at City parks, was dropped with the request that staff evaluate these costs as individual parks are due for major renovations. Most recently, Wi-Fi will be installed in the common area as part of the Community Center Grounds Renovation project by the end of 2025.
The Corn Palace Park project, Lakewood Park Renovation project, and Plaza del Sol project have construction budgets of $4.3 million, $14.5 million, and $2.0 million respectively. The budgets are inclusive of contingencies and public art. Costs to install Wi-Fi equipment and all ongoing service and operating costs are not included within the current budget.
Following the review and approval of the preferred concept plans for each park, staff worked with consultants to create options for preliminary Wi-Fi infrastructure designs and identify costs to provide Wi-Fi at each park.
EXISTING POLICY
General Plan, Chapter 3, Land Use and Transportation - Open Space, Goal LT-8
The City strives to provide and maintain adequate and balanced open space and recreation facilities for the benefit of maintaining a healthy community based on community needs and the ability of the City to finance, construct, maintain, and operate these facilities now and in the future.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered is exempt from environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15303, which exempts construction and location of limited numbers of new, small facilities or structures. The project would involve adding wireless access points to existing structures and poles, and a small number of new poles.
DISCUSSION
Wi-Fi was evaluated for the three park projects as requested by Council during the discussion of Study Issue ITD 18-01.
Department of Public Works staff worked with each project’s design consultant to develop options for providing Wi-Fi at each park. The preliminary Wi-Fi design options were also reviewed by Sunnyvale Information Technology staff. The consultant’s preliminary design for Wi-Fi infrastructure generally includes multiple wireless access points mounted on light poles and/or buildings, routers, switches, fiber optic cabling with associated conduit, and other support equipment. Internet access is limited to web browsing and email but no streaming.
If City Council approves installation of Wi-Fi at any of these three parks, staff will use the existing contracts with design consultants to add Wi-Fi systems to the park construction documents. The projects will be put out for construction bidding and contracts awarded by Council. Subsequently, ITD will establish service with a provider to be determined.
Corn Palace Park
At Corn Palace Park, only one Wi-Fi option was evaluated due to the small size of the park: coverage of the common area, the youth and tot playground, and pathways (Attachment 1). The preliminary cost estimate to furnish and install the infrastructure, and for ongoing annual costs for maintenance, the Internet connection, and service fees are as follows:
- Common area coverage: one-time installation cost of $242,000; and ongoing, annual costs of $35,000
Corn Palace Park is a small, mini park abutted by single family homes and Lawrence Expressway. During preparation of the conceptual plan and public outreach, a majority of the public indicated that they did not desire Wi-Fi in the park, or that it was not important. Staff does not recommend installing Wi-Fi in this mini park considering the small size of this mini park and an expected low use of Wi-Fi by the community.
Lakewood Park
At Lakewood Park, two Wi-Fi options were evaluated: (1) blanket coverage of the entire park; and (2) coverage of the common areas, such as the dog park, skate park, and the playground areas (Attachment 2 and 3). The preliminary cost estimate to furnish and install the infrastructure, and for ongoing annual costs for maintenance, the Internet connection, and service fees are as follows:
- Full blanket coverage: one-time installation cost of $521,000; and ongoing, annual cost of $57,000
- Common area coverage: one-time installation cost of $315,000; and ongoing, annual cost of $43,000
Lakewood Park is a community park adjacent to the planned Lakewood Branch Library and Learning Center. The Branch Library will have Wi-Fi available. Installing Wi-Fi within the park will provide users internet access during the day and outside of the library’s normal business hours.
During community outreach, the public was asked if Wi-Fi accessibility was desired. The feedback was split with approximately half of responses saying that Wi-Fi was somewhat to very important and half saying that it was slightly important or not important. Staff recommends installation of a Wi-Fi system that will cover the common areas for this park.
Plaza del Sol
At Plaza del Sol, one Wi-Fi option was evaluated: blanket coverage of the entire plaza, as the entire plaza will be activated with this project (Attachment 4). The preliminary cost estimate to furnish and install the infrastructure, and for ongoing annual costs for maintenance, the Internet connection, and service fees are as follows:
- Full blanket coverage: one-time installation cost of $380,000; and ongoing, annual costs of $36,000
Plaza del Sol is an urban plaza next to high density residential units and commercial/retail businesses. Installing Wi-Fi within the plaza will provide users internet access during all hours of the day. Additional internet access could be obtained from commercial/retail businesses adjacent to the plaza. Staff recommends installation of a blanket Wi-Fi system at Plaza del Sol.
FISCAL IMPACT
Construction for projects 834330 - Corn Palace Park, 834770 - Lakewood Park Renovation and Enhancement, and 830510 - Plaza del Sol Phase II are included in the FY 2023/24 Adopted Budget funded through Park Dedication Fund (PDF) revenue, but do not include budget for installation of Wi-Fi. If Wi-Fi is approved at any of these parks, additional funding from the PDF would be needed to cover the additional cost of installing Wi-Fi and incorporated into the PDF long-term financial plan. This funding is available in the PDF fund balance and will be included with the bid and award of the final construction contract.
Ongoing annual costs for maintenance and service fees are not eligible for PDF funding and are proposed to be funded through the General Fund. Anticipated costs per staff recommendation in Alternative 1 are outlined below and would need to be incorporated into the General Fund long-term financial plan.
|
|
One-Time Installation Cost to PDF |
Annual Ongoing Cost to General Fund |
Twenty-Year Cost to General Fund |
|
834770 - Lakewood Park Renovation and Enhancement |
$315,000 |
$43,000 |
$1,075,000.00 |
|
830510 - Plaza del Sol Phase II |
$380,000 |
$36,000 |
$900,000 |
|
Total |
$695,000 |
$79,000 |
$1,975,000 |
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council meeting agenda on the City's official-notice bulletin board at City Hall, at the Sunnyvale Public Library and in the Department of Public Safety Lobby. In addition, the agenda and this report are available at the NOVA Workforce Services reception desk located on the first floor of City Hall at 456 W. Olive Avenue (during normal business hours), and on the City's website.
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve installation of Wi-Fi in the common areas of Lakewood Park and blanket coverage for Plaza del Sol, do not approve installation of Wi-Fi at the Corn Palace Park Development project, and direct staff to include the ongoing annual costs in the FY 2025/26 Adopted Budget.
2. Approve installation of Wi-Fi at the Lakewood Park Renovation Project, the Plaza del Sol Project and the Corn Palace Park Development Project, and direct staff to include the ongoing annual costs in the FY 2025/26 Adopted Budget.
3. Do not approve Wi-Fi at the Lakewood Park Renovation Project, the Plaza del Sol Project, or the Corn Palace Park Development Project.
4. Provide other direction to staff as Council deems appropriate.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Alternative 1: Approve installation of Wi-Fi in the common areas of Lakewood Park and blanket coverage for Plaza del Sol, do not approve installation of Wi-Fi at Corn Palace Park Development, and direct staff to include the ongoing annual costs in the FY 2025/26 Adopted Budget.
Levine Act
LEVINE ACT
The Levine Act (Gov. Code Section 84308) prohibits city officials from participating in certain decisions regarding licenses, permits, and other entitlements for use if the official has received a campaign contribution of more than $250 from a party, participant, or agent of a party or participant in the previous 12 months. The Levine Act is intended to prevent financial influence on decisions that affect specific, identifiable persons or participants. For more information see the Fair Political Practices Commission website: www.fppc.ca.gov/learn/pay-to-play-limits-and-prohibitions.html
A check or “Y” in the checklist below indicates that the action being considered falls under a Levine Act category or exemption:
SUBJECT TO THE LEVINE ACT
___ Land development entitlements
___ Other permit, license, or entitlement for use
__x_Contract* or franchise
*With respect to impact on contracts with existing design consultants
EXEMPT FROM THE LEVINE ACT
___ Competitively bid contract
___ Labor or personal employment contract
___ General policy and legislative actions
Staff
Prepared by: Bennett Chun, Senior Engineer
Reviewed by: Nathan Scribner, Interim City Engineer
Reviewed by: Kathleen Boutté Foster-Gee, Chief Information Officer
Reviewed by: Chip Taylor, Director of Public Works
Reviewed by: Sarah Johnson-Rios, Assistant City Manager
Approved by: Kent Steffens, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Corn Palace Wi-Fi Coverage Plan
2. Lakewood Park Full Blanket Wi-Fi Coverage Plan
3. Lakewood Park Common Area Wi-Fi Coverage Plan
4. Plaza del Sol Coverage Plan