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Hollywood
Wi-Fiing It
Wireless Internet contract delayed
By William Alton
The
Hollywood City Commission withdrew a resolution to
install citywide wireless Internet and solar-powered
parking meters to give the city’s newly elected
officials a chance to “clarify and implement” the $16.2
million project’s plans.
The resolution called for city officials to “negotiate
and execute a lease purchase agreement” with Johnson
Controls, Inc., an automotive systems and facilities
management company. However, just an hour later, the
city swore in a new mayor and three new commissioners.
Mayor Mara Giulianti, sitting on her last commission
meeting, said it was an “unusual situation” and
suggested the “need to have a workshop.”
The specifics of the contract were not available, but
the agreement calls for the installation of a municipal
Wi-Fi, solar-powered parking meters and other
residential services.
Commissioner Richard Blattner said he had no problem
with the commission pulling the resolution, “But let’s
make sure that we do not redo this contract,” he said.
Blattner’s emphasis on keeping the contract echoed City
Manager Cameron Benson’s suggestion to withdraw the item
“until the commission is further informed.”
“Wi-Fi is the focus of this for me,” Blattner said.
“Where Wi-Fi has worked is where municipalities have
become the user.”
A common criticism, which was brought up by one
frustrated citizen, is that municipal Wi-Fi is a luxury,
not a necessity.
The solar-powered parking meters would allow payment by
credit or debit card and would essentially lower the
city’s repair costs. Further details won’t be revealed
until after the city’s workshop.
Alfred Guerrero, a solutions sales executive speaking on
behalf of Johnson Controls, expressed no disappointment
with the commission’s decision, “as long as we are able
to provide the city with what we agreed to.” |
