In Feburary 2000, the City Council, through advice of its Information Technology Advisory Committee, created the City's first Telecommunications Policy.  The Policy is intended to provide direction on the issues surrounding telecommunications and the desire of the community to have advanced and reliable telecommunications services available to its residents and business community.

There are 4 primary goals governing the Telecommunications Policy:

• Retaining control of public property.
• Promoting universal accessibility.
• Promoting use of telecommunications technology.
• Facilitating the creation of advanced telecommunications infrastructure.

The policy espouses 5 basic policy directives:

• Universal access -- advocating for accessibility of service for every business and resident.
• Regulatory structure -- providing a level playing field for telecom providers through preservation of local authority over matters of local impact (e.g., use of roadways, ability to charge for use).
• Use of City-owned property -- allowing for use of City property to house telecommunications equipment necessary to provide services in the community, with certain restrictions.
• Compensation and management of public rights-of-way and local infrastructure -- ability to charge telecom providers for use and maintenance of public streets and walkways.
• City as user and facilitator of telecommunications services -- recognizing the City itself as a user of telecommunications services in providing services to the community.

Please see the Telecommunications Policy in its entirety for more details on this policy.