Laserfiche WebLink
;rr��v��:yc�rryn�s��l <br />of the network has been ongoing since 1999 under prior lease arrangements. In 2016 the City <br />began to contract with Northwest Open Access Network for wholesale telecommunications <br />services. <br />The City provides telecommunications services to customers, the municipality, public agencies, <br />and telecommunications service companies. The City provides network services, internet access <br />services, dark fiber services, and others <br />Unlike other City owned and operated utilities that serve residents and businesses, the <br />telecommunications utility has no obligation to serve all City customers. The 3 -year <br />Telecommunications Strategic Plan (2015-2017) evaluated the costs, benefits, competitive risks, <br />and community support to expand the City's 27 mile fiber optic network to reach all residents <br />and businesses. Based on the outcome of the strategic plan and to minimize competitive risks, <br />City Council decided to extend the network to reach customers that are willing to pay for their <br />costs for service extensions. The City Council considered, but did not choose to proceed with a <br />citywide fiber to the premise project due to the projected $22 million capital investment, <br />unrealistic high customer rates that would need to be achieved to remain solvent, competitive <br />risks with other service providers, and a lack of community support at that time. <br />The Capital Improvement Plan for the telecommunications utility is anticipated to be primarily <br />funded through a combination of revenue generated through rates, grants, and revenue bonds. <br />Typically the telecommunications utility has been successful at receiving grants for <br />telecommunications utility capital improvements that focus on economic development. The <br />2016 grant revenue for the telecommunications facility was approximately $343,000. As a <br />relatively new utility the City has used general obligation funds to bond telecommunication <br />capital improvements. <br />Library <br />The City of Ellensburg operates a public <br />library, founded in 1907 in partnership <br />with Andrew Carnegie by the Women's <br />Municipal Movement Society of <br />Ellensburg. The Society donated two lots <br />on the corner of 3'd Avenue and Ruby <br />Street and opened the library in 1910. <br />The library has maintained a historically <br />and socially important location in <br />Ellensburg's downtown core, and <br />continues to serve as the heart of the <br />city, providing services to residents <br />throughout the region. <br />CITY OF ELLENSBURG COMPREHENSIVE PLAN e CAPITAL FACILITIES AND UTILITIES • PAGE 103 <br />