HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/20/2009Municipal Telecommunications Utility (MTU) Board Minutes
May 20, 2009, at 3:30 p.m.
Board Members Present: Doris Kelley, Scott Crowley, Randy Pilkington, Jim Waterbury and
Dave Buck (quorum)
Staff Members Present: Jim Walsh and Linda Craun
Proposals were posted on-line and not distributed via postal mail. Proposals were received from
Advanced Computer Engineering Solutions (ACES) of Cedar Falls for $80,504; Columbia
Telecommunications Corporation (CTC) of Robbinsdale, Minnesota, for $35,000 plus travel cost
not -to -exceed $4,400; and RSM McGladrey of Cedar Rapids for $16,000 plus travel expenses
for a total of approximately $21,000.
Members individually reviewed the three proposals prior to the meeting. Jim Waterbury stated
RSM and CTC both looked good; he felt ACES price was out of sight; he also indicated that
RSM's turn -around time was shorter. Scott Crowley stated ACES did not answer the specific
questions; he was comfortable with RSM and CTC, although he felt CTC had more expertise.
Randy Pilkington felt ACES was geared more toward IT than telecommunications; he liked the
way RSM set out their proposal; he would be comfortable with either RSM or CTC, but
wondered what CTC could do that was worth twice as much cost. Dave Buck rated CTC the
highest because of their experience; RSM was rated second because of their thoroughness and
summary; he rated ACES the lowest (even though they are friends). Doris Kelley felt ACES did
not answer questions and did not have the experience necessary for this service; she rated CTC a
4.2 and RSM a 3.6; CTC has more experience, but she would like to do follow-up and check
references; she felt RSM could do the job and their price was good, but was concerned that the
staff assigned to the project had more of a finance than a technical/engineering background.
Both Randy Pilkington and Jim Walsh thought that RSM might be lower because they are local
and they want to get into the market.
There was a consensus among members that both CTC and RSM should be considered. The
proposals will be given to Mayor Hurley for his review and to see if money is available; may be
requesting funds from the Gaming Commission whose next deadline is July 1, 2009. Once a
company is selected, Jim Walsh suggested that a project manager be assigned to work with the
company.
Doris Kelley will contact both CTC and RSM to ensure that both companies are on par regarding
scope of work and to see if they are willing to extend their bid for another 90 days. She will also
follow-up on references and report back to the members with her findings. Ms. Kelley will also
send a letter to all three companies notifying them of the status of the Board's decision.
Jim Waterbury moved, Scott Crowley seconded that the meeting be adjourned. Motion carried.
Linda Craun
Secretary