The Fort Dodge City Council will get an update tonight on the potential for creating a municipal broadband utility.

During a Nov. 5, 2019, referendum, Fort Dodge voters gave their city government the authority to establish a broadband utility. The measure passed with a 71.6 percent yes vote. Since then, city officials have been working with experts to figure out the options.

Broadband is a high capacity transmission technique over the internet that enables a large number of messages to be sent at the same time. The Federal Communications Commission defines broadband as having a download speed of 25 megabits per second and an upload speed of 3 megabits per second.

The council will receive the latest update on broadband during a workshop at 5 p.m. today in the Municipal Building, 819 First Ave. S.

The council will have a regular business meeting at 6 p.m. in the Municipal Building.

During that session it will consider a resolution assuming city ownership of Fort Dodge Memorial Park Cemetery.

The council will also consider a measure giving the city manager the authority to suspend some of the rules governing the placement and use of temporary signs. According to the proposal before the council, such suspension of the rules would be for non-commercial uses, such as placing temporary signs to advertise flu shot clinics.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, residents are encouraged to view and participate in the meeting remotely. To do so, go to zoom.us and enter webinar ID number 816 045 072 and passcode 948411. Residents can also use their phones by calling (312) 626-6799 and entering the same webinar ID number and passcode.