HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/17/2007Municipal Telecommunications Utility (MTU) Board Minutes
July 17, 2007
Board Members Present: Jim Waterbury, Doris Kelley, Bob Heaton, and Randy
Pilkington (quorum)
Staff Members Present: Jim Walsh and Linda Craun
Randy Pilkington moved, and Doris Kelley seconded that the budget report be approved
as submitted. Motion carried.
Randy Pilkington moved, and Doris Kelley seconded that the minutes from May 18,
2007, be approved as submitted. Motion carried.
Mark Kittrell from Team Technologies and Jim Walsh updated the Board on the non-
profit entity being established. Mr. Kittrell introduced Kate Miller at the Project
Manager. More subscribers are needed for the new entity. The first priority is dark fiber
in the downtown area—TechWorks, along Washington to Waterloo Schools, from Grout
Museum to Black's Building —would like to have this completed in 2007. Chairman of
this Board and a City Council representative would be board members of the new entity.
At the next meeting, a final draft of the documents will be presented for review and
agreement. Doris Kelley asked that the documents be sent out at least a week ahead of
time. After this Board approves the documents, the matter will be presented at a City
Council Work Session, and the following week put on the City Council's Agenda for
approval.
There was discussion regarding having a total plan for the City of Waterloo. Board
members would like an update of the map where the fibers would be going.
Mark Kittrell handed out a list of carriers and contractors that they would be sending
RFI's. Carriers were Mediacom, Qwest, CFU, Iowa Telecom, and INS; McLeod should
be added. Contractors were CCI, Hoffman & Hoffman, Slabach Construction, and
Gaylord Construction; Atlantic Engineering from Atlanta, Georgia, should be added.
They are not just looking at adding new fiber; they are also looking at using existing
fiber. Doris Kelley also suggested that Mr. Kittrell visit with MidAmerican.
Jim Waterbury met with Mayor Hurley. The Mayor realizes that upgrading the City's
fiber is a high priority. The Mayor will be including that in a list of projects to be
submitted requesting funds from gaming proceeds.
Doris Kelley updated the Board regarding Senate File 554. The Iowa Utility Board will
grant franchises. In Waterloo, if Qwest asks for a franchise, both Mediacom (the current
provider) and Qwest will have a franchise. City can't say no for use of right-of-way.
Franchises are transferable. Provider can terminate. There is no build -out requirement.
City must provide content and cost for PEG channels. City must ask for franchise fee.
There is no customer service.
Randy Pilkington and Doris Kelley met with Steve Dust from Great Cedar Valley
Alliance. The Alliance has agreed to fund the business survey. SMS will conduct the 8-
week project. Hopefully it will be started by September 1st. Bob Heaton mentioned that
Mediacom had previously agreed to fund part of this survey. It was agreed that a letter
should be sent to Mediacom acknowledging, but declining their offer.
Moved by Bob Heaton, seconded by Randy Pilkington that the meeting be adjourned.
Motion carried. Next meeting is scheduled for August 21st
Linda Craun
Secretary