HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/21/2007Municipal Telecommunications Utility (MTU) Board Minutes
August 21, 2007
Board Members Present: Jim Waterbury, Doris Kelley, Bob Heaton, Randy
Pilkington, and Scott Crowley
Guests: Ron Padavich and Steve Dust
Staff Member Present: Linda Craun
Doris Kelley moved, and Bob Heaton seconded that the minutes from July 17, 2007, be
approved as submitted. Motion carried.
Bob Heaton moved, and Randy Pilkington seconded that the budget report be approved
as submitted. Motion carried.
Ron Padavich, Director of Strategic Marketing Services at UNI, spoke to the Board about
the commercial business survey for fiber optics demand analysis and competitive
assessment. The survey would be conducted on-line. Some of the questions to be asked
include: services currently purchased, level of service, cost breakdown, information
regarding current provider, willingness and motivation for switching providers, future
needs and services. Board members would also like to include: are needs being met
currently, planning expansion in next 3-5 years, and where is potential growth. The
instrument will be redesigned and adapted to what the Board wants to know. Funding for
the business survey is being provided by the Greater Cedar Valley Alliance.
Steve Dust, Cedar Valley Alliance, stated that areas of potential growth probably cannot
be targeted in a survey. Two areas with planned growth and broadband demand include
the Highway 20 corridor and the redevelopment of the central city (TechWorks). He
would also like to see a question included whether businesses are considering home -
based work options for their workforce.
Jim Waterbury brought up the concern that the survey would bring with it the expectation
from businesses that there would be a city telecommunications utility. Board members
suggested an introductory paragraph handled with a question as to whether the business
wanted a city telecommunications utility —yes, no, or neutral; or a rate choice from 1-5.
Doris Kelley reiterated her concern that the information gathered be sufficient to do a
financial analysis if the need should arise in the future. Ron Padavich, Steve Dust, and
Doris Kelley will work together on redesigning the survey. The goal is for SMS to have
survey results analyzed within 8-12 weeks after approval to proceed. SMS will use the
Greater Cedar Valley Alliance mailing list and will call businesses if they haven't
responded.
Steve Dust provided the Board with an overview of the Google site selection process and
why they selected Council Bluffs. The Council Bluffs area was selected based on its
massive broadband capacity due to an Air Force base nearby and plentiful energy
sources. An IT design company (broadband intensive; also a Fortune 60 company) is
looking at the Cedar Valley. Broadband is very important for sites —for new businesses
and to retain current businesses. What capacity they need and at what price was
discussed.
Bob Heaton asked if Waterloo could do something on the order of when Cedar Falls gave
away land in their Industrial Park, could Waterloo give away broadband? If you build it,
will they come? No one knows for sure.
A comprehensive plan for the next 10 to 15 years needs to be laid out. Don Temeyer
could meet with Steve Dust to inform him of projected geographical growth.
Bob Heaton wondered if bandwidth could be included in a TIFF district. Tangible
infrastructure is used. Could Internet services be subsidized?
Doris Kelley questioned if Waterloo's current infrastructure was capable of delivering the
bandwidth needed, and if Waterloo Telecom Partners could meet the need soon enough.
She stated this Board represents all the businesses in Waterloo. Waterloo Telecom
Partners can probably meet short-term needs, but this approach will probably not meet
long-term needs. The next step is to conduct the survey and review the results. The
Waterloo Telecom Partners is viewed as a starting point.
Randy Pilkington moved, and Bob Heaton seconded that the Board support the design,
development and implementation of the survey of commercial businesses for fiber optics
demand analysis and competitive assessment that is being funded by the Greater Cedar
Valley Alliance. Motion carried.
Because Jim Walsh could not be at the meeting today, there was not a review of the
Waterloo Telecommunications Partners non-profit documents. Jim Waterbury questioned
whether this Board should have a representative on the Telecommunications Partners
board; he saw it as a possible conflict of interest. Bob Heaton didn't see it as a conflict,
but possibly the representative could be non -voting, a liaison, or an ad hoc member. The
Board would like a legal opinion from Jim Walsh whether this is a conflict of interest;
they would appreciate a response via e-mail from Mr. Walsh prior to the next meeting.
They would also like this item to appear on the next meeting's agenda.
Moved by Bob Heaton, seconded by Doris Kelley that the meeting be adjourned. Motion
carried. Next meeting is scheduled for September 18t.
Linda Craun
Secretary