HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/18/2007Municipal Telecommunications Utility (MTU) Board Minutes
May 18, 2007
4:00 p.m.
City Hall First Floor Conference Room
Members present: Jim Waterbury, Scott Crowley, Randy Pilkington, Bob Heaton.
Members absent: Doris Kelley.
Staff Members present: Jim Walsh and Nancy Eckert.
Moved by Pilkington, seconded by Crowley that the Minutes of February 16, 2007, as proposed,
be approved. Ayes: Four. Absent: Kelley. Motion carried.
Moved by Heaton, seconded by Pilkington that the budget report, as submitted, be approved.
Ayes: Four. Absent: Kelley. Motion carried.
Chairperson Jim Waterbury read a status report from Mark Kittrell. An organization meeting is
currently being scheduled for the Waterloo Telecom Partners, and Mr. Kittrell listed three
potential dates for the meeting. Three board members, a City of Waterloo designee and
organizing members will be asked to attend the meeting. Concerning the Business Services
Survey, Mr. Kittrell held a meeting with Steve Dust to discuss the proposal presented by
Chairman Waterbury for funding of the business survey. Mr. Dust expressed his willingness for
the Alliance to consider such funding should participation from the local incumbent carriers be
secured, and he is currently composing a letter notifying the board of such. Chairperson
Waterbury recommended the Board wait to see what action, if any, from Mr. Dust. A meeting is
to be held May 29, 2007 with TechWorks, Alliance staff, engineers and city staff to discuss the
scope and schedule of the road work for the TechWorks and the Commercial Street
reconstruction project.
Mr. Heaton noted if all three board members attend the organization meeting with the Waterloo
Telecom Partners, the meeting would need to be posted. If the meeting is to be open to the
public, all board members could attend. Chairperson Waterbury will contact Mr. Kittrell and
have him get back to Linda Craun.
Anthony Bahe and Dave Burger, from RC Systems Radio Communications, gave a presentation
on broadband wireless mesh network solutions. SkyPilot Networks solutions allow service
providers, public service agencies and municipalities to cost-effectively deploy wireless
broadband data, Wi-Fi, video surveillance and voice-over IP applications. SkyPilot deployments
require a minimal footprint, using existing municipal assets such as building rooftops or
streetlight poles for cost-effective deployment. The deployments eliminate the need to lease
lines or excavate city infrastructure for cabling. Coverage can be expanded by adding mesh
modes.
Municipal Telecommunic,....ons Utility Board
May 18, 2007
Page 2
Chairperson Waterbury gave an update of SF 554, the Statewide Cable Franchise Bill. Doris
Kelley indicated that the House made significant changes to the Bill. The governor has not yet
signed the legislation, but he has 30 days to sign it.
A joint meeting of communities has been set for June 5. Doris Kelley will check to see who will
be able to attend.
Chairperson Waterbury reported that representatives from Qwest have asked for a meeting with
city officials. The meeting has been scheduled for May 31, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. at City Hall.
Members discussed changing the meeting day from Friday to Tuesday. It was decided that the
meetings will be held on the third Tuesday of the month at 4:00 p.m. starting in June.
With no further business before the board, it was moved by Heaton , seconded by Pilkington that
the meeting be adjourned. Ayes: Four. Absent: Doris Kelley. Motion carried.
Nancy Eckert
City Clerk