REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action to Authorize the Use of City Electric Forces for New Dark Fiber Installations at Various Locations
Report
COUNCIL PILLAR
Deliver and Enhance High Quality Efficient Services and Infrastructure
BACKGROUND
Section 1310 of the Santa Clara City Charter (Contracts on Public Works) states "that every contract involving an expenditure of more than one thousand dollars ($1,000) for the construction or improvement (excluding maintenance and repair) of public buildings, works, streets, drains, sewers, utilities, parks and playgrounds shall be let to the lowest responsible bidder." The section further states that "the City Council may declare and determine that, in its opinion, the work in question may be performed better or more economically by the City with its own employees, and after the adoption of a resolution to this effect by at least four affirmative votes, it may proceed to have said work done in the manner stated, without further observance of the provisions of this section."
In 2014, Silicon Valley Power (SVP) developed a position called Fiber Splicing Technician as an in-house position to primarily perform maintenance and repairs to meet the performance standards of fiber customers, which includes City departments and commercial customers. Fiber Splicing Technician activities include basic splicing and distribution changes to fiber optic cables. The technician can also perform duties such as pulling, laying, aligning, and positioning fiber optic equipment for new connections to the fiber network. Fiber Splicing Technicians also perform fusion splicing at building entrances and in maintenance spaces. Currently, SVP employs two Fiber Splicing Technicians.
DISCUSSION
Currently, the SVP fiber optic network serves SVP, other City departments, and various commercial customers. The Fiber Splicer Technician performs a variety of specialized activities from maintenance and repair to new or re-spliced interconnections to t...
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