HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/16/2007Municipal Telecommunications Utility (MTU) Board Minutes
February 16, 2007
Board Members Present: Jim Waterbury, Doris Kelley, Scott Crowley, Bob Heaton,
and Randy Pilkington (all board members)
Staff Members Present: Jim Walsh and Linda Craun
Randy Pilkington moved, and Scott Crowley seconded that the minutes from December
12, 2006, be approved as submitted. Motion carried.
Scott Crowley moved, and Doris Kelley seconded that the budget report be approved as
submitted. Motion carried.
Qwest has sent the Board an invitation to tour its facilities and have a discussion. The
Board would like to meet with Qwest for a discussion/presentation, but not everyone
wanted to stay for a tour. Mayor Hurley should also be invited. Jim Waterbury will set
this up (as a public meeting so all board members can attend), possibly in March.
Mayor Hurley sent an e-mail to Jim Waterbury regarding the city services survey, which
Mr. Waterbury read. Mayor Hurley has requested $40,000.00 in the FY08 budget to fund
Step I of the Board's recommendations —it's up to the City Council whether that request
is granted. The possibility of using casino money 6 months from now was brought up.
Jim Waterbury will respond to Mayor Hurley that Waterloo needs to move toward a more
electronic government and provide service to businesses. The Board will assist in any
way it can.
Jim Waterbury also stated he has been in contact with Steve Dust regarding the business
survey; there may be interest in funding the survey now. Mr. Waterbury will contact him
again.
Mark Kittrell presented a draft of the Fiber Optic Network Agreement. This Agreement
establishes a non-profit corporation to increase the availability of broadband capacity.
There will be different rates for government and commercial. Perhaps another paragraph
should be added after 2.7 allowing other government agencies access. The 5% user fee in
paragraph 3.2 is a private agreement, not a franchise fee. What happens if this
corporation dissolves? Does the City get the fiber? This Agreement is non -assignable, it
shall remain a non-profit, and any changes will require approval of everyone.
This Agreement is a draft and Mark Kittrell would like a committee to work on this
Agreement —one person each from Utility Board, City, and private sector. Bob Heaton
would be willing after tax season, and Doris Kelley would be willing at the end of the
legislative session. It was agreed that a councilperson should represent the City, and
possibly someone from Cedar Valley Alliance or TechWorks from the private sector.
Bob Heaton stated that the Chair be authorized to appoint the Board person. In response
to a question, this corporation would be a separate entity.
The Board requested Mark Kittrell set out bullet points of what needs to happen. Mr.
Kittrell will work on it immediately and send it to Linda Craun, who will distribute to all
the Board members.
Doris Kelley has been contacted by Mason City; they would like to set up another round
table discussion. The progress of Parkersburg would be discussed. Ms. Kelley will set up
the open meeting, possibly in May.
Randy Pilkington moved, and Doris Kelley seconded that the meeting be adjourned.
Motion carried.
Linda Craun
Secretary