High-speed broadband tops council agenda
By Terry Murry on Tuesday, February 22nd, 2022 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
COLLEGE PLACE – The College Place City Council meets tonight (Tuesday) at 7 p.m. and is expected to pass a resolution setting forth the intent to work with the city of Walla Walla to collaboratively establish accessible high-speed broadband.
Both cities have determined that high-speed broadband of at least 100 megabytes per second is a critical infrastructure service that is necessary for education, business, and economic well-being. As part of the broadband collaboration, the two cities plan to work together to determine the most feasible method for providing high-speed broadband. It is anticipated the work will require contracting with experts and College Place City Administrator Mike Rizzitiello and others are directed to work with Walla Walla officials to seek the grant funding and legislative appropriations necessary to support this effort. Rizzitiello is also directed to arrange joint council meetings with Walla Walla to report progress and receive direction.
Also on the agenda, the council will consider awarding the bid for the Mountain View Drive water main replacement project to POW Contracting for $841,978.24. This project was bid last year but was not awarded because of the cost. The city budgeted more money this year, and it was also awarded public works loan money.
The council will also hear an administrative report on Meadowbrook Street traffic delineation and signage at the southern entrance to Walmart. In spite of an island designed to restrict northbound traffic on Meadowbrook from turning left across traffic as well as “do not enter” and “no left turn” signs, it is not uncommon for traffic to illegally turn left. There have been several accidents as a result.
College Place Public Works is considering spending $3,400 to install re-purposed tubular markers previously removed from the Fourth Street cycle track to prevent northbound traffic on Meadowbrook from turning left across traffic. It will help guide traffic to continue north to the signalized intersection where drivers can safely turn left into Walmart’s parking lot. By including signage and pavement markings, the city believes motorists should be sufficiently aware that they cannot make that left turn.
The meeting can be viewed on the city’s YouTube channel or via Zoom. The meeting ID is 850 1431 3064.
