HomeMy WebLinkAbout11.19.2007•
COUNCIL WORK SESSION
November 19, 2007
5:00 p.m.
Council Chambers
Members present: Mayor Pro Tem Schmitt, Welper, Gunderson, Greenwood, Getty, Cole,
Schmitt.
Members absent: Kincaid.
Moved by Schmitt, seconded by Welper that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes: Six.
Absent: Kincaid. Motion carried.
Jim Walsh, City Attorney, reviewed the Fiber Optic Network Agreement between the City , the
Board of Trustees of the Waterloo Municipal Telecommunications Utility and Waterloo Telecom
Partners, Inc. Waterloo Telecom Partners, Inc. (WTP) is a not -for -profit corporation organized
to provide a vehicle by which private and public interests could work cooperatively to develop a
fiber optic network in the city.
The objective of the agreement is to increase the availability of affordable and competitively
priced broadband capacity to stimulate economic development by attracting and retaining
businesses and to enhance the quality of related services to the residents of Waterloo. It is hoped
by working with a compatible private not -for -profit entity that the City and the Utility can
achieve their goals without the expenditure of significant public monies. It is hoped that the
agreement will give the community another avenue to provide data communications services
where the incumbents have not fulfilled needs at reasonable prices. Also, recent changes in
cable communications law at both the state and federal level may mean that the city has to find
other ways to handle communications to and from its own buildings in the future. The
requirements that incumbent cable providers supply these connects free is likely to end when the
current franchise ends.
Kincaid now present at 5:07 p.m.
The agreement authorizes WTP to use the public rights -of -way to construct, install, operate,
repair and maintain a fiber optic backbone network for data transmission and internet access and
related equipment necessary for operation of the Network system.
Mark Kittrell reviewed a map of the city showing current fiber and head ends. Mr. Kittrell
explained this is not about building but about connecting businesses with high speed broadband
communications services. Mr. Kittrell noted that there are number of providers already located
in the Black's building, including CFU, Team Technologies, Verizon and Qwest. The agreement
will make available to WTP the four dark fiber optic strands which were granted to the city by
McLeodUSA Network Services.
Councilperson Cole asked if people are asking for this. Mr. Walsh responded at this point, we
don't know for sure. If no one wants this, WTP will shortly be out of business. The agreement
provides neutral rates and allows anyone access to the Network for personal or business use.
Mr. Kittrell indicated members of WTP will include Municipal Telecommunications Utility
Board members, a city designee, economic development organizations and organizing members.
Mr. Walsh will place the agreement on the council agenda the second week of December for
formal approval.
With no further business before the council, it was moved by Getty, seconded by Cole that the
meeting be adjourned at 5:25 p.m. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried.
Nancy Eckert
City Clerk