HomeMy WebLinkAboutMunicipal Telecommunications Utility 12/20/2005 TELECOMMUNICATIONS BOARD
December 20, 2005
4:00 p.m.
City Hall
First Floor Conference Room
I. Introductions
II. Appointment of Chairperson
III. Discussion of Meeting Schedule
IV. Discussion of Staffing and Temporary Business Operations
V. Discussion of Procedural Rules and By-laws
VI. Discussion of Possible Lease of City of Waterloo Fiber Capacity
VII. Discussion of Possible Sub-lease Agreements
VIII. Public Comments
IX. Next Meeting Date
X. Adjournment
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Municipal Telecommunications Utilities
Formed in 2005
Waterloo Center for the Arts
Hurwich Room
225 Commercial Street
Tuesday,June 5, 2006
4 pm to 5:30 pm
Round Table Discussion
AGENDA
• Welcome & Opening Remarks: Doris Kelley,
Waterloo Municipal Telecommunications
Utility Board Member
Meeting Presider: Doris Kelley
• SF 554—Statewide Cable Franchise Bill Summary and Commentary of Key
Points: Doris Kelley
Currently, in order to provide cable service in Iowa, a cable company is required
to obtain a franchise agreement from the local franchising authority(LFA), which
is either the municipality or the county. The local franchise agreements address
issues such as rates, customer service standards,build out obligations,the number
of PEG channels to be provided, support for PEG channels, use of rights-of-way,
and service to government buildings. SF554 gives cable and video service
providers the ability to dramatically curtail these functions, shifting primary
franchising authority to the Iowa Utilities Board. While the bill would not
technically prohibit counties and municipalities from negotiating terms and
conditions concerning cable and video services that use the public right of way,
the bill gives providers the functional ability to opt out of locally established
terms and conditions if a competitive provider enters the market. In place of
local franchising authority,the provider could obtain a certificate of franchise
issued by the state,with comparatively few obligations and regulations relating to
customer service, PEG, build-out obligations, and other requirements traditionally
present in local franchise agreements.
• Parkersburg's Market Research Results: Virgil Goodrich
Before investing in a broadband network, a city needs to know the technological
and competitive advantages as well as the expected return on investment, growth
potential and other factors that influence its decision. Market Research is one
component of a feasibility study. A feasibility study typically includes market
research within residential and business communities, financial modeling and
forecasting, and a conceptual design of a suitable broad band network. The
resulting study recommendations must be based on economic realities and
community interests.
• Business Models & Public Partnership Techniques to Advance Broadband
Connectivity to Enhance Local Economic Value: Kent Halder, Account
Executive, Cedar Falls Utilities Communications
• Second Mile Connectivity Options: Doris Kelley
• Open Discussion
• Future Meetings