HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/08/2009Municipal Telecommunications Utility (MTU) Board Minutes
May 8, 2009, at 3:00 p.m.
Board Members Present: Doris Kelley, Dave Buck, Randy Pilkington, and Scott Crowley
(quorum)
Staff Members Present: Linda Craun and Jim Walsh
Randy Pilkington moved, and Dave Buck seconded that the February 20, 2009, minutes be
approved as submitted. Motion carried.
Moved by Scott Crowley, seconded by Dave Buck that the budget report be approved as
submitted. Motion carried.
Doris Kelley gave an update on the Business Survey. She and Steve Dust met with Ron
Padavich. A letter will be mailed to businesses on May 15th, the survey will be conducted on-line
beginning May 29th, to be returned by June 26`h. A final report will be done by July 10`h and a
work session will be scheduled for the week of July 17`h
Regarding the IRU update, no meeting has been set up between Mayor Hurley and Dave
Lunemann; Doris will try to schedule a meeting for some time in June.
Three RFP's have been returned —from Advanced Computer Engineering Solutions (ACES),
Columbia Telecommunications Corporation (CTC), and RSM McGladrey. However, the RFP's
only appeared on-line and were not mailed out. A meeting will be scheduled for the members to
review the proposals.
Access to Fiber is now available in the Martin Road Area Development (between Sergeant Road
and Ridgeway). Mediacom installed the fiber.
Waterloo Schools will be installing fiber-optic cable connecting Orange School to Hawkeye
College; cost estimate was $30,000. Lee Grassley, representing Mediacom, informed the Board
that he had met with Dr. Norris and Mediacom will be able to install the cable for approximately
$10,000. The Board recommended that the City of Waterloo grant the Waterloo Community
Schools access to the city's right-of-way for the purposing of installing fiber optic cable
connecting Orange Elementary School to Hawkeye Community College.
There was discussion regarding Governor Culver's Iowa Jobs Program, which includes $25
Million for Public Broadband Technology. This is an opportunity for private and public entities
to work together. It is the intent that these funds be used to access federal funds. There are
federal stimulus moneys available that are an 80% federal/20% state match. The $25 M can be
used as the state match. These are competitive grants. Doris would like to see the I-380 corridor
developed first focusing on recruiting high tech businesses. She recommended that the Greater
Cedar Valley Alliance, and the Cedar Rapids and Iowa City economic group work with John
Gillespie, ICN, to make this project a priority. Mediacom and WTP could also pursue funding.
Jim Walsh agreed to contact the Governor requesting that the sharing of government services
(i.e., IT departments consolidated) be considered criteria for funding. Lee Grassley from
Mediacom informed the Board that they are requesting $140 Million from the feds for 25-30
small towns.
Municipal TelecommunicaLlons Utility Board
May 8, 2009
Page 2
Dates need to be changed on the Work Plan. An IT person to be shared among City, County and
Schools should be included.
No new business.
There was discussion concerning the next meeting date. Meetings will be scheduled with Dave
Lunemann and the Mayor, a date for the Board to review the RFP's, and a July work session.
The meetings can be late afternoon, but would prefer not on Friday or Monday afternoons. Doris
will try to schedule the meetings for Tuesdays.
Dave Buck moved, Scott Crowley seconded that the meeting be adjourned. Motion carried.
Linda Craun
Secretary