January, 2010 Tri-Annual Report
Gustavus Community Network regular report to city council
Summary of Committee Activities for the Past 4 Months
In the four months or so since our September 10 report to city council the main accomplishment of the Gustavus Community Network has been replacing the aging Turbocell wireless network in the Salmon River meadow with a new Open-Mesh network. The new network is working well and the increased coverage has given us several more broadband customers.
We eagerly await news of our grant application for a community-wide broadband network.
Summary of Proposed Activities for the Next 4 Months
- Troubleshoot intermittent network issues with the core router and the DSL link to City Hall.
- Negotiate and execute an agreement between the city and Gustavus Electric Company for siting the Gustavus communications tower in the Falls Creek hydro project area.
- Continue other preparations for construction as soon as conditions permit (i.e. order parts for the tower foundation).
- Continue evaluating the Open-Mesh technology.
- Seek other funding if the broadband grant is denied.
Budget
According to the reports from the city clerk we are on target for our income even though we are behind on building a community-wide broadband network. Not including the $20,000 grant match appropriated by city council (which we are holding in reserve) we have sufficient funds to begin construction of the communications tower but not to finish it. We plan to proceed with installation of the tower foundation to accellerate the community-wide broadband project.
Recommended Council Action
No council action is needed at this time, but we will ask for the council's consideration of an agreement with Gustavus Electric Company sometime this winter.
