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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/23/2009Municipal Telecommunications Utility (MTU) Board Minutes January 23, 2009 3:00 p.m. Board Members Present: Doris Kelley, Scott Crowley, Jim Waterbury, Dave Buck and Randy Pilkington (quorum) Staff Members Present: Mayor Hurley, Jim Walsh and Linda Craun Randy Pilkington moved, and Dave Buck seconded that the• November 18, 2008, minutes be approved. Motion carried. Moved by Jim Waterbury, seconded by Randy Pilkington that the budget report be approved as submitted. Motion carried. Gary Norris, Superintendent of Waterloo Schools, attended the December meeting. He shared information regarding the sharing of IT services in Sarasota before he came to Waterloo. He would like to combine services with City of Waterloo, Black Hawk County and the schools, possibly also with Hawkeye. The Board did not have a quorum in December. The Board would like Mr. Norris to: come back. [Scott Crowley now present.] It was then suggested that the Board could possibly go to the School Administration Building and meet there in February. Tim Jamieson of the Courier should be notified. Steve Dust informed the Board that they were 60 days behind with the Business Survey. The Board would have the results in February —prior to their meeting. There were originally 525 businesses, but it was narrowed down to the survey being sent to 460 businesses; he does not yet know how many responses. There was discussion on how to distribute the information. Alliance owns the report. Steve Dust stated the Board could decide how to distribute the information. It was suggested that Ron Padavich could present the results; it also needs to be shared with the Mayor and Council before being made public. Mayor Hurley spoke to the Board regarding his conversation with Dave Lunemann of Fiberutilities Group in Cedar Rapids. There is no definitive answer as to what the 4 strands of fiber are worth (McLeod is now PAETEC). Best use for the fibers is business. The City cannot spend money unless it goes back to the citizens. In order to proceed, the City will have to spend some money. Mayor would like to set up a committee of people to meet with Mr. Lunemann. After some discussion it was decided to invite Mr. Lunemann to Waterloo to meet with a committee appointed by the Mayor [member(s) of this Board, WTC, business leaders, Alliance, and interested citizens]. Jim Walsh stated that PAETEC is anxious to sell the 4 fibers, but not the entire ring; in response to a question, it was stated that PAETEC had sold fiber to other cities. Municipal TelecommuniAt6ns Utility Board January 23, 2009 Page 2 Doris Kelley spoke with Wendy Drinovsky regarding the RFP. In December there had been 3 responses. Everything is due by March 23`d Doris Kelley passed out a draft of a Work Plan. She would like the members to review it and get back to her with any other ideas or changes. Dave Buck moved, Jim Waterbury seconded that the Work Plan be approved. Motion carried. It was suggested that joint IT with schools be added. Randy Pilkington has agreed to serve another term. Mayor appointed him and it was approved by City Council in December of 2008. Jim Waterbury was going to resign, but has decided to stay on. Randy Pilkington moved, Jim Waterbury seconded that Scott Crowley be appointed as Vice Chair. Motion carried. Under New Business, Doris Kelley received a letter from Dan Norman of Iowa Health Systems. They purchased 6 strands from McLeod — Fiber Utilities. They were told to access the right-of- way they would have to pay $25,000 to WTP. Should go to City Engineer just for use of right-of- way. Randy Pilkington thought it was the intent to have any request go through this Board so we knew where things were. Jim Walsh stated it was $5,000, now they are trying an end run. Scott Crowley was concerned that the Board have the same process for everyone —not just Allen. Recommend it be allowed and work with City Engineer. If there is a fee for attaching it needs to be consistent. It was the consensus of the Board that all requests for fiber in the right-of-way go through this Board. Dave Buck moved, Scott Crowley seconded that the Board recommend to the City Council that Iowa Health Systems be allowed to use right-of-way and work with the City Engineer. Motion carried, with Jim Waterbury abstaining due to possible conflict of interest. Next meeting will depend on schedule of Gary Norris and Dave Lunemann. Dave Buck moved, Jim Waterbury seconded, that the meeting be adjourned. Linda Craun Secretary