HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/08/2006Municipal Telecommunications Utility (MTU) Board Minutes
August 8, 2006
Board Members Present: Jim Waterbury, Bob Heaton, Doris Kelley, Scott Crowley
and Randy Pilkington (all 5 members)
Staff Members Present: Linda Craun, Jim Walsh
Jim Waterbury called the meeting to order. Bob Heaton moved, Doris Kelley seconded that the
minutes of June 27, 2006, be approved as submitted. Motion carried.
Bob Heaton presented the budget report, with most of the expenses for publication of minutes,
leaving a balance of $9,418.72. Doris Kelley moved, Bob Heaton seconded that the budget report
be approved as submitted. Motion carried.
Mark Kittrell of Team Technologies gave a presentation. Team Technologies operates a data
center connected to the Internet through a high-speed fiberoptics network. Businesses in
Waterloo (downtown and San Marnan area) have indicated an interest in fiber capability and are
willing to pay some costs. Team currently has a loop around Waterloo and Cedar Falls. There
was also a question and answer session. There was concern voiced by several people that if fiber
infrastructure is built that it have enough capability for further expansion. Mr. Kittrell will send a
proposal to the Board. Jim Waterbury will check with Jim Walsh to see if the Board needs to
also solicit proposals from other local vendors.
The internal survey will be presented to the Waterloo City Council at their meeting on
September 11, 2006. Jim Waterbury has spoken with Steve Dust, and he doesn't think that Cedar
Valley Alliance will be paying for the business survey; however, he will follow up with a formal
request. It appears the Board will be looking for private money to conduct the survey.
Doris Kelley would like to have a round table discussion with other newly -formed utility boards
to see what everyone is doing. She will contact the boards and arrange a meeting, possibly in
September.
The City of West Union is not going to hold a workshop, as there was not enough interest shown.
Bob Heaton handed out articles about cities providing Wi-Fi, commenting that Reinbeck is
providing free Internet for all its residents. He also thought the Board should look into Wi-Fi
access for buildings such as Five Sullivan Brothers, Civic Center, Young Arena, Library, and
Grout Museum. Bob Heaton will contact these facilities to see if there is interest.
Lee Grassley from Mediacom informed the Board that Mediacom was interested in the results of
the business survey and was willing to finance part of the survey; he believes the offer was made
to the Mayor to pay half the costs.
A request was made of Qwest's representative if Qwest would be willing to pay part of the costs
for the business survey; he will run it by his leadership and respond to Jim Waterbury. He also
wanted to clarify a comment made earlier that Qwest had refused to supply fiber route maps; the
attorneys had requested additional information from Jim Walsh and never received a response.
Both Qwest and Mediacom informed the Board that they also have loops of fiber in Waterloo
and Cedar Falls.
The next meeting will be September 12, 2006, at 4:00 p.m.
Linda Craun
Secretary