Broadband commission continues discussion

By Kelly Terpstra, kterpstra@charlescitypress.com

The Charles City Broadband and Telecommunications Commission continued talks on creating an extensive broadband internet system to residences and businesses in town on Monday in an informal brainstorming session.

On hand was the president of Lookout Point Communications, Eric Lampland. As a 10-year consultant out of St. Paul, Minnesota, he gave his expertise on a vast array of ideas that could include a transparent partner to team with Charles City that could reduce costs of the undertaking. 

“There are actually a number of advantages of joint work,” said Lampland.

The overall projected cost of the project right now stands at $11 million-$11.5 million. That’s a number that was fine-tuned and could be paid back in four years, an adjusted timeline since the committee last met.

Lampland discussed the four phases of this broadband project — feasibility, design engineering, the build phase and the actual operation itself. The feasibility portion of the project has been approved.

For the plan to be successful, City Administrator Steve Diers stated, a 37 percent take rate out of roughly 3,500 homes and businesses would be necessary.

“That’s where it’s at — which is a pretty good place to be,” said Diers.

Lampland said that in about five years the entire amount of the capital build structure would be paid for if all goes as planned.

A City Council workshop at 6 p.m. May 29 will continue the process of making decisions on the project.

“There’s a lot of questions to be answered,” said commission Chairman Mark Wicks.

Many questions still remain, including how will this project be completed without the city’s own municipal electric capability and how will it be financed. Those are the next steps in the process.

“How do we make it work? Which ways do we want to get from A to B?” said Diers. “We need dedicated people.”