HomeMy WebLinkAbout08.14.2019.telecommunications minutesTELECOMMUNICATIONS UTILITY
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
August 14, 2019
4:00 p.m.
Harold E. Getty Council Chambers
Members present: Kajtazovic, Kurtenbach, Pilkington, Van Fleet. Dave Buck arrived at 4:15
p.m.
Moved by Pilkington seconded by Kurtenbach that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved.
Voice -vote Ayes: Four. Motion carried.
Moved by Pilkington seconded by Kurtenbach that Andy Van Fleet be nominated to fill the
position of board chair. Voice -vote Ayes: Four. Motion carried.
Moved by Kurtenbach seconded by Van Fleet that Randy Pilkington be nominated to fill the
position of board vice chair. Voice -vote Ayes: Four. Motion carried.
Objective: Discuss vision for the board.
Board members discussed their reason for joining the board and how the board is expected to
operate in relation to the city council.
Chris Wendland, City Attorney, explained the history of the Telecommunications Utility Board
and how it interacts with the city.
Michelle Weidner, Chief Financial Officer, explained that the board does not have funds and
wants to ensure that the board is set up correctly to expend city funds. She explained that a few
items need to be researched in order to advance funds or set a referendum to generate funds. She
also commented that the city cannot subsidize the operation of the utility but is checking with an
attorney named Steve Nadel with Ahlers & Cooney out of Des Moines.
Moved by Van Fleet seconded by Kurtenbach that the board consult with attorney Steve Nadle
of Ahlers & Cooney, Des Moines, Iowa for utility research. Voice vote -Ayes: Five. Motion
carried.
Andy Van Fleet requested a general definition of the type of telecommunication that would be
operating under the board's purview.
Chris Wendland explained the potential scope of activity the board may oversee. He explained
that the city's ordinance will not provide specific direction but the board would need to decide
what avenue of telecommunication it would want to pursue. At this time, the board does not
have a broad or narrow mandate.
Randy Pilkington commented that the focus of the board in the past was broadband and in the
future should be broadband.
Rich Kurtenbach commented residents are frustrated with the lack of knowledge of what is
available for internet in Waterloo.
Andy Van Fleet explained that currently no timeline is in place right now to decide the specific
scope of the board's responsibility due to infancy of the project, however, the scope can be
narrowed at a later date.
Objective: Review of community broadband needs.
Wendy Bowman, Communications Director, provided an overview of research city staff
undertook to find a broadband consultant to help implement broadband in the community.
Objective: Presentation of broadband consultant proposals and discuss next steps for community
broadband.
Telecommunications Utility Board of Trustees
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Andy Van Fleet explained that he participated in the phone interviews with the broadband
consultants and explained that Magellan Advisors stood out as the most competent provider of a
broadband solution for Waterloo. Magellan Advisors has implemented broadband in comparable
sized cities in Iowa and other Midwestern states. The proposal is to complete a feasibility study
to explore what a broadband utility would look like for Waterloo.
Randy Pilkington explained that he has reviewed the proposals and recommended that the board
move forward with recommending the Magellan Advisors proposal to the city council.
Michelle Weidner advised the committee to hold off on making a formal recommendation to city
council until Steve Nadel at Ahlers and Cooney has had an opportunity to review the city
ordinance, contract with Magellan Advisors, and other regulations.
Kelley Felchle, City Clerk, recommended allowing the attorney time to review all necessary
documents and make a formal recommendation next week once legal and financial research has
concluded.
Dave Buck stated that the committee did a lot of work ten years ago and council did not support
spending money. He explained that the council needs to support spending funds in order for this
project to be successful.
Sharon Juon, Council Liaison, commented that WIDA might continue to provide financial
support as well.
Anesa Kajtazovic questioned if the board would be able to seek grant funding to help move
forward.
Kelley Felchle commented that she was unsure but it would be worth exploring.
Andy Van Fleet questioned how often the board is supposed to meet.
Kelley Felchle commented that the board should set the next meeting date, if possible before
adjourning the meeting.
Sharon Juon questioned what needs to happen before the next board meeting.
Michelle Weidner clarified that the legal research needs to be concluded so that the board can
move forward.
Andy Van Fleet questioned where funding for the legal work would come from.
Michelle Weidner commented that the funding would be paid for by the city.
Motion by Kurtenbach seconded by Van Fleet to have staff research next steps from a legal
standpoint. Voice vote -Ayes: Five. Motion carried.
The board agreed to hold its next meeting on September 24, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. in the City
Council Chambers.
With no further business before the board, it was moved by Van Fleet seconded by Buck that the
meeting be adjourned at 4:43 p.m. Voice -vote Ayes: Five. Motion carried.
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Kelley Felchle
City Clerk