Vancouver To Go Wireless?

I was poking around on the Vancouver City web site and seeing what the latest set of councillors have been up to, when I found an interesting proposal. It's not exactly fleshed out, and would appear to be nothing but a motion to discuss setting up a committee to investigate something, but it's a step.

MOTION ON NOTICE: WI-FI - Wireless Internet Services (File 04-4000-21) (text following the break...)

PDF documents:

Wi-fi instigation (discussed Feb 14?)
Exotic Animal By-law
Live / Work Zoning

Send your comments on anything via email to the Mayor and his council. Perhaps you would like to tell them about how not all iguanas carry salmonella, how the city should install free unmetered wireless throughout the downtown core, or anything at all regarding what they're to be discussing. Some of these items are meant to be discussed TODAY...

Agendas and exciting streaming Windows Media video footage can be found on the Council Meetings pages.

At the Regular Council meeting on January 31, 2006, the following motion was submitted by Councillor Ladner. Mayor Sullivan called Notice under Section 5.4(c) of the Procedure By-law. At the Regular Council meeting immediately following the Standing Committee on City Services and Budgets meeting of February 2, 2006, Council postponed consideration to the Regular Council meeting to be held February 14, 2006.

WI-FI - Wireless Internet Services (File 04-4000-21)

MOVER: Councillor Ladner
SECONDER: Councillor

WHEREAS:
1. Many cities are investing in wireless municipal infrastructure;
2. free or low-cost wireless internet services can serve both business and community goals;
3. various models have been adopted, usually involving public and private partners;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Staff report back on the desirability and options for pursuing a free or low-cost
high-speed wireless municipal internet system in selected areas of the City in a way that does not add costs to City taxpayers, to achieve the goals of:

1. Promoting business;
2. Building community through electronic connectivity;
3. Bridging the digital divide by making internet access more accessible and affordable to low income residents;
4. Reducing communication costs for the City's own operations; and
5. Improving the delivery of emergency and other municipal services.