HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/27/2006Municipal Telecommunications Utility (MTU) Board Minutes
June 27, 2006
Board Members Present: Jim Waterbury, Bob Heaton, and Scott Crowley (for a quorum)
Randy Pilkington (later)
Staff Member Present: Linda Craun, Jim Walsh
Jim Waterbury called the meeting to order. Bob Heaton moved, Scott Crowley seconded that the
minutes of May 9, 2006, be approved as submitted. Motion carried.
Bob Heaton moved, Scott Crowley seconded that the Budget Report dated June 21, 2006, be
approved: Balance as of 5/3/06-$9,511.28; publication of April 11t minutes-$30.88; balance as
of 6/21/06-$9,480.40. Motion carried. Jim Walsh informed the Board that audit rules require
some kind of accounting —actual expenses and also an allocation of Linda Craun's time. It was
also decided that a budget should be adopted by the end of the summer.
Presentation from Steve Dust, Cedar Valley Alliance, regarding Telecommunications and
Economic Development. Mr. Dust gave several examples of studies and anecdotes showing the
importance of broadband capacity for economic development and quality of life. There was also
a question and answer period afterward.
Jim Walsh distributed letters he received regarding the map request—Qwest has denied the
request; Mediacom has provided the maps.
None of the members present or staff had heard anything regarding the joint meeting with other
newly formed telecommunications boards or the workshop in West Union. Doris Kelley may
have some information; we will put these two items on the next agenda. Randy Pilkington asked
the purpose of these meetings. The purpose is informational or, in the case of continguous cities,
to possibly work together on projects.
Jim Walsh has a request from FiberUtilities Group on behalf of Iowa Health Systems for the City
of Waterloo to accept the assignment of McLeod infrastructure to Iowa Health Systems (the new
owner). Mr. Walsh felt this request should be reviewed by this Board before it is taken to the
City Council. Jim Waterbury stated he could not participate in any decision on this matter, as he
is an officer of Iowa Health Systems. There were several questions. Mr. Walsh will obtain
additional information and possibly advice from the League of Cities and bring back to the next
meeting.
Erl Schmiesing stated he reviewed the March 28th minutes, which said the Board would request
fiber maps from CFU. Jim Walsh stated if we have not already done that, we will send the
request to CFU.
Doug Nix of Mediacom stated the Board would need to know what information Iowa Health
Systems plans to send through the fiber in order to determine if they would need a franchise
agreement with the City. A representative of FiberUtilities Group stated they would provide
whatever information was needed.
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Bob Heaton moved, Randy Pilkington seconded that the meeting be adjourned. Motion carried.
Linda Craun
Secretary