HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/20/200528`n
Telecommunications Board Minutes
December 20, 2005
Board Members Present: Doris Kelley, Jim Waterbury, Randy Pilkington
Staff Members Present: Jim Walsh, Linda Craun
The Board met at 4:00 p.m. December 20, 2005. There were three members out of five
present, making a quorum. Jim Waterbury volunteered to act as temporary chairperson
with no objection.
Meeting schedule was discussed. Jim Walsh informed the Board that this Board is subject
to the open meetings law and that notice of any meetings needs to be posted at least 24
hours in advance —a week in advance would be much better. It was decided that initially
the Board would meet every two weeks on Tuesdays at 4:00 p.m. with the initial
meetings being held January 17th and 31st, February 14th and 28t, and March 14th and
Staffing and temporary business operations were discussed. Currently, the Board has no
income. Linda Craun, Legal Assistant in the City Attorney's Office, will act as secretary
for the Board at this point in time. She will also take care of getting the minutes
published, as required by State Code.
No decision was made regarding procedural rules and by-laws. Jim Walsh will get some
samples to the Board members, possibly by the January 31st meeting. He will also furnish
to the Board members a pamphlet regarding open meetings.
On December 19, 2005, the City of Waterloo assigned its option to use four fiber optics
strands in lines owned by McLeod USA to the Telecommunications Board. The City does
not currently have an "as built" map from McLeod indicating where these lines are
located. The Board needs to find out where the lines are specifically and also where any
splice in points are. Leasing these fibers could be a source of income. The Board should
prepare RFP's for a long-term lease. Jim Walsh was asked if RFP's would be needed for
a short-term lease; he responded that if it's a small amount and for a short time that it
would not be required. There was a question as to whether any Board member knew of a
potential customer —none were identified.
Randy Pilkington asked what was the urgency to enter into a short-term lease. He was
informed that the Legislature may be passing a law that if a municipal utility was not
currently doing business by January 1, 2006, that the utility board would be banned from
doing business in the future. The Board felt they should try to enter into a short-term
lease before the end of the year. There was discussion regarding terms of a short-term
lease.
Moved by Doris Kelley, seconded by Randy Pilkington, that the Board seek a lessee for a
60-day term at a minimum of $100.00. Motion passed. Jim Walsh will prepare a short-
term lease agreement and e-mail to the board members so the members can seek potential
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lessees. Hopefully, the Courier reporter in attendance at today's meeting, RC Balaban,
will notify the public through the Courier. It was then decided that another meeting prior
to the end of the year was needed in order to open bids for this short-term lease. The next
meeting was scheduled for Tuesday, December 27, 2005, at 4:00 p.m. Bids will be due in
the City Attorney's Office prior to 4:00 on the 27tn
Randy Pilkington asked about conflict of interest. Jim Walsh informed the Board that as
long as business was conducted at a public meeting and that there were bids, there would
be no problem. Any Board member having a conflict would not be able to vote on that
' particular matter. Mr. Pilkingtdn also asked about a possible training session. Doris
Kelley will provide the information to a site that has information from across the nation
regarding municipal utilities.
Jim Waterbury asked if there were any public comments. Erl Schmiesing stated that he
was at the meeting because he doesn't like a public body competing with private
business, so he will be watching.
Randy Pilkington moved, Doris Kelley seconded that the meeting be adjourned. Motion
passed.
Linda Craun
Secretary
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