HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/20/2007Municipal Telecommunications Utility (MTU) Board Minutes
November 20, 2007
Board Members Present: Jim Waterbury, Randy Pilkington, Doris Kelley, Scott
Crowley, and Bob Heaton
Staff Members Present: Jim Walsh and Linda Craun
Guests: Mark Kittrell and Kate Miller
Randy Pilkington moved, and Doris Kelley seconded that the minutes from September
18, 2007, be approved as submitted. Motion carried.
Doris Kelley moved, and Randy Pilkington seconded that the budget report be approved
as submitted. Motion carried.
The proposed Fiber Optic Network Agreement between Waterloo Telecom Partners, Inc.,
the City of Waterloo, and this Board was presented to the Waterloo City Council at a
work session on November 19, 2007. Jim Walsh stated the City Council would like this
Board to "hurry up" as long as the broadband capacity is open to anyone, is non-
discriminatory, and no public funds are being expended.
Doris Kelley said she would like to see the build out before they vote on the Agreement.
Board members gathered around a large map brought by Mark Kittrell. It basically
showed connections from TechWorks, to the Waterloo School Administration building,
and to the Black's Building. Conduit is being moved from 4th Street to Park Avenue.
Bob Heaton now present.
Waterloo Telecom Partners (WTP) is there to stitch all the systems together. In response
to a question, Mr. Kittrell said WTP is looking at obtaining subscribers and having the
first phase (downtown area) engineered and constructed within six months. South
Waterloo and Hawkeye College would probably be in 2009 and 2010. Doris Kelley stated
she is aware that the current providers cannot provide a particular business what that
business needs. Jim Walsh pointed out that it may not be possible for everyone to hook
up to this system, and it may not be cost-effective for every business.
Bob Heaton asked if the business had to be right on the line to hook up. The business
would need to build the conduit to the line.
The Agreement was then reviewed. The phrase "including but not limited to the City's
Code of Ordinances" should be added to Paragraph 1.1. Doris Kelley questioned whether
the City is charging anyone else. Jim Walsh suggested including in Paragraph 1.1 that
any fee shall be non-discriminatory. Mr. Walsh pointed out that the Agreement is for a
ten-year term and that insurance will not be required until such time as work commences.
Bob Heaton moved, and Randy Pilkington seconded that the Board approve the
Agreement, as amended per discussions, authorize the Chair to sign the Agreement, and
forward the Agreement to City Council. Motion passed.
This will be put on the City Council Agenda for Monday, December 3, 2007, at 5:30 p.m.
Jim Waterbury and Randy Pilkington plan to attend that City Council meeting. Doris
Kelley possibly may attend also.
Doris Kelley stated she spoke with Steve Dust. The business survey will get started after
the first of the year.
Mr. Waterbury (who also is a member of the gambling board) informed the Board that
Mayor Hurley had submitted a proposal to the gambling board regarding the City survey.
The gambling board has taken no action yet regarding this matter. Mr. Waterbury felt that
pricing, time line, and various stages should be included in the proposal. Pricing
information could be obtained by requesting RFP's. He will meet with the Mayor.
Doris Kelley stated she could be unavailable for Tuesday meetings from January through
April. There was consensus of the Board that they would meet the third Friday of those
months at 3:30 p.m.
Doris Kelley moved, Randy Pilkington seconded that the meeting adjourn. Motion
carried.
Linda Craun
Secretary