City Council hears presentation seeking support of bringing fiber-optic to Lansing

by Julie Berg-Raymond

Allamakee-Clayton Electric Cooperative (ACEC) and Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission (UERPC) are offering a solution for Lansing residents and businesses who are unsatisfied with their Internet service - a fiber-optic build-out in the city.

The build-out would be funded by a grant from the State of Iowa Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO); but first an appeal must be made challenging Lansing’s eligibility status, followed by the writing of an Invitation to Qualify (ITQ) plan. At its meeting Monday, August 1, the Lansing City Council voted to approve ACEC’s and UERPC’s request to support the appeal and ITQ work.

UERPC Executive Director Rachelle Howe estimated the cost to the City of the appeal and ITQ plan to be no more than $5,000 and added that UERPC would contribute $1,000 toward the effort. In attendance at the meeting, as well, was ACEC General Manager Hollee McCormick.

Howe told the council that an appeal to OCIO would seek to overturn Lansing’s status on a map constructed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) determining areas of eligibility and non-eligibility. According to that map, Lansing and Waukon - which is appealing, as well - are considered non-eligible for increased access to high-speed Internet services.

“Lansing and Waukon are the only two remaining communities in Allamakee County without fiber,” Howe said. “Having fiber to your home is key in accessing healthcare, education, employment. Some providers are saying they provide 40 up and 40 down speeds, but you may never see those speeds.”

“We’d love to get this map overturned,” Howe told the council. “This is the first time (OCIO) has made this appeal possible. The challenge process… hopefully (would) yield an Invitation to Qualify, which would allow for grant applications in the OCIO number 8 funding round.” It is absolutely crucial, Howe noted, that these challenges come from the communities who are disputing the map.

COMMUNITY SUPPORT CRUCIAL
“McCormick and her board are bringing fiber to the towns,” Howe noted. “I am assisting the City with its appeal.”

The appeal process entails a 30-day window wherein residents can go online and test their Internet speed. “There is a website to do that,” Howe explained.  “You will need your bill to gather the necessary information, such as speed and what you are paying to your current provider. This step is absolutely necessary to challenge or appeal your service.”

“Residents could appeal on service as well,” she said. “For example, long phone calls with provider, latency, issues with getting technicians to your home, etc. ACEC is going to dedicate staff to assisting homeowners with this process. ACEC staff will be in Waukon and Lansing and set up an office for a few days to complete letters of support and the testing questions.”

“OCIO has given us until September 2 for the appeal,” Howe said. “I will have another 30 days to respond with the Invitation to Quality plan. I will need plenty of support letters from businesses and residents. I encourage anyone to contact myself or Brenda Hackman at ACEC to submit a letter.”

FISH DAYS REQUESTS
The council approved the following financial requests from the Lansing Lions Club-Fish Days Committee: $500 for fireworks display; $750 for sound system expenses; seven dumpster units from City Garbage Contractor; additional police protection; Porta-Potty service (23 regular units and three handicapped units) and tent rental from Ness Pumping for the weekend, at the cost of $5,260.

Street closures approved for the weekend are the following: 10 a.m. Thursday, August 11 to 10 a.m., Monday, August 15: John Street from Front to South Second Street, south end of alley behind fire station, not including either intersection; 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday, August 13: grassy area behind the lumber yard for the Truck Show; noon to 2:30 p.m., Sunday, August 14, Main Street for parade.

The council approved the Committee’s request to close the splash pad from Friday afternoon through Sunday, because of potential danger posed by extension cords. It also approved a list of requests from the Public Works and Police Departments.

MARINA BOARD
The council approved changing the maximum amount for purchase of transition plates from $1,780 to $2,500; but it denied the Marina Board’s request to install no fishing/trespassing signs on City marina/docks.
“I don’t think we should have ‘no fishing’ on the City docks in Lansing because I have seen kids, many whose parents don’t have boats, fishing on the dock,” council member Lisa Welsh noted. “There are few places for kids to fish safely, so I hate to see this area taken away from them.”

NUISANCE PROPERTIES
The council denied a resident’s request for more time to clean up the property at 440 Main Street and approved the hiring of a local contractor to follow through on the court order to clean that property.

Neighbors of the nuisance property at 650 South Second Street - about which 12 Lansing residents had previously signed a complaint involving the resident/squatter trespassing on neighbors’ property and rodents observed exiting the residence - spoke again to the council about their frustration and concern regarding the property. Mayor Melissa Hammell and Lansing Chief of Police Conrad Rosendahl again assured the concerned residents that action was being taken.

“I understand your concern, but I ask you to be patient,” Chief Rosendahl said.

“We’re doing everything we can at this point,” Mayor Hammell added. “We’ll let you know what the next steps will be.”

CITIZEN CONCERNS
Francis Garrett addressed the council in a reassertion of his interest in salvaging the bulk of the historic Black Hawk bridge. “I have a lot of passion for this city,” he told the council. “I don’t think anything is too big; I just don’t think we should pass this up.”

Currently, the Department of Transportation is working with the City and with various stake holders regarding salvaging and re-purposing portions of the historic bridge.

OTHER BUSINESS
The council approved payment of $227.903.14 to Skyline Construction, of Decorah, for Center Street water and sanitary sewer replacement, to be paid for with American Rescue Plan funds and Local Option Sales Tax funds. The council also approved reducing by half - $137.34 - a resident’s sewer bill because even though a spigot was left on, no water went into the sewer to be treated.

In other business, the council approved the following: liquor licenses for Strub Rental and the Lansing Fire Department; appointment of Joan Hennessy to the library board; Resolution No. 972 Anderson Plat of Survey; and Second Street permit and waiver of fine, due to lack of clarity.

The next regular meeting of the Lansing City Council is scheduled for Monday, August 15 at 7 p.m. in Lansing City Hall.