The Manhattan City Commission approved a franchise agreement Tuesday with IdeaTek to construct a Distributed Antenna System (DAS) in the City. The DAS will consist of 48 poles with small cabinets at the base.
IdeaTek will pay Manhattan a one time fee of $1000 per pole and 5% franchise fee. The agreement includes a 5 year initial term and is renewable for 3 additional 5 year terms.
IdeaTek is working with Verizon Wireless, but roaming agreements with other carriers would likely benefit the majority of end users in the Manhattan area.
Both cell coverage and data speeds are expected to improve with the antenna network.
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The Commission will work with K-State to tweak the City/University Fund agreement. The addendum will make it easier for both parties to vet proposals and agree on a project list each year.
The Commission also agreed to send two projects to K-State for consideration in the 2016 City/University Fund. Both projects include paving improvements at North Manhattan Avenue and City Park. The total for both is total just over $300 thousand and will take multiple years to fund.
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The Commission revisited a major transportation project originally discussed in 2008.
The project addresses a segment of Anderson Avenue from Anneberg Park to Scenic Drive, an area that has seen significant development in the last 6 years.
The estimated cost for the project, which calls for intersection and lane improvements, is just over $5.2 million. Funding will be a challenge and the Commission will likely target a variety of funding sources including Bond and Interest funds, Stormwater funds and Economic Development funds. The Commission did not take any action as the item was a discussion item only.
