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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11.10.2008• • COUNCIL WORK SESSION November 10, 2008 4:55 p.m. Council Chambers Members present: Mayor Hurley, Cole, Getty, Hart, Greenwood, Steve Schmitt, Welper, Reggie Schmitt. Moved by Reggie Schmitt, seconded by Hart that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried. The purpose of the work session was for an update on the status/accomplishments of the Municipal Telecommunications Utility Board. Mayor Hurley explained that a referendum was held authorizing the creation of a five -member board. The board has been meeting regularly since early 2006. Mayor Hurley noted that on tonight's council agenda is an appointment to the board and his request for authorization to seek RFPs for a comprehensive study/telecommunications master plan of the city's current and future internal telecommunications network needs. Mayor Hurley noted that members of the board are a little frustrated wondering what is their direction and mission and also because this is an area with a lot of technical aspects. Jim Waterbury, a board member, explained that the board's frustration is not with the council or mayor, but with themselves. This is a complex issue, and they don't feel they can put their arms around it as to what success should look like so they are asking how council would look for success. Mr. Waterbury noted that the board received $10,000.00 from the gaming funds, which they use for meeting notices. They have tried to get outside funding and have been successful with one. Mr. Waterbury noted that the function of the Waterloo Municipal Telecommunications Utility Board is to provide Waterloo citizens and businesses advanced broadband service at competitive prices. The board has focused on access and capacity, not television programming. The board feels the need is bigger pipes for more providers to push data through. We need to expand the broadband capacity to make sure the city can provide services the citizens and businesses need in future years. Doris Kelly, a board member, explained the Request for Proposals for a City of Waterloo Master Plan. The RFP is for a telecommunications consultant to conduct a comprehensive study/telecommunications master plan for the city's current and future internal telecommunications network needs. The Master Plan will tell the city how to move forward, what is missing, how to use infrastructure, how to connect departments, ways to become more efficient and decrease operating costs. The proposal says the city does not have to more forward. Mr. Waterbury updated the council on business ,broadband. The survey of broadband and data services for the business community is complete and ready to be sent out. The survey is to be funded by the Greater Cedar Valley Alliance at a cost of $15,000.00. The survey will be conducted on-line by Strategic Marketing Services of the University of Northern Iowa and will be distributed to more than 500 Waterloo business that have requested the survey. The survey will be mobilized in the Fall 2008 and delivered in the Winter 2009. Mr. Waterbury explained the community broadband. There have been a couple of initiatives to expand exiting fiber optic capacity, none have borne fruit as of yet. The council approved an agreement with Waterloo Telecom Partners to develop a community fiber optic network. The other initiative is the 30 mile ring of two pair of dark fiber with three access points which the city has rights to. The options for the dark fiber is lease to a third party or purchase the fiber and access points and resale them. Mayor Hurley explained that the Municipal Communications Utility Board was created because the Iowa legislature came close to banning cities from creating municipal utilities and because of economic development and the desire for the city to become more competitive. The success is city government and residents are receiving faster services at a cheaper costs. Ms. Kelly noted that the city has come a long way. Business service is being provided, but not every business has access to it. Ms. Kelly explained that Bob Fahr's business does not have Council Work Session November 10, 2008 Page 2 access to Mediacom, and she has been working with Qwest, but at this point they are not at the level of service he needs. Councilperson Steve Schmitt asked how many options do businesses or homeowners have for high speed broadband and data services. Mr. Waterbury responded there are two principals. Ms. Kelly noted it depends how far someone is from the central office. Councilperson Steve Schmitt asked if paying for permits or licenses on-line is high speed broadband services or just the computer at city hall because that could be done today. Mr. Waterbury stated that is the importance of business services Ms. Kelly noted that we do not have the capacity for the types of businesses we want to attract to Waterloo. Mayor Hurley inquired as to the cost for the consultant and master plan. Ms. Kelly responded between $100,000.00 and $150,000.00. Mayor Hurley commented that at this time he does not know where the city would get funding. Ms. Kelly explained that in 1997 the city signed an agreement with McLeod for them to provide the city two pair of dark fiber which could be the institutional backbone for the city, Black Hawk County and the schools. Councilperson Hart asked if the broadband business survey comes back that we are fine would that impact the RFPs. Mr. Waterbury responded the RFP and business survey are two separate items. The city has a hodge-podge of providers and an infrastructure that needs to be planned and centralized. With no further business before the committee, it was moved by Hart, seconded by Reggie Schmitt that the meeting be adjourned at 5:30 p.m. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried. Nancy Eckert City Clerk • •