HomeMy WebLinkAbout01.27.2021.telecommunications minutesTELECOMMUNICATIONS UTILITY
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
January 27, 2021
4:00 p.m.
Meeting held electronically via Zoom due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Members present: Batemon, Kajtazovic, Kurtenbach, Young, Van Fleet, and Council Liaison
Sharon Juon.
Moved by Kurtenbach seconded by Batemon that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Voice -
vote Ayes: Five. Motion carried.
Moved by Kajtazovic seconded by Kurtenbach that the minutes of December 16, 2020 as
proposed, be approved. Voice -vote Ayes: Five. Motion carried.
Recognition of new board member Mike Young
Mr. Van Fleet recognized the board's newest member, Mike Young, who is replacing outgoing
board member Randy Pilkington.
Mr. Young shared that he was born and raised in Waterloo, has three children, and practices law
in Waterloo.
Mrs. Juon commented that Mr. Young's father helped co-chair the committee that helped establish
the utility initially.
Recognition of former board member Randy Pilkington.
Mr. Van Fleet recognized former board member, Randy Pilkington, for his several years of service
to the Waterloo Telecommunications Board.
Mrs. Juon commented that Mr. Pilkington was, she believes, was the first board chair.
Status update on the draft broadband study by Magellan Advisors.
Mr. Van Fleet commented that he had an update meeting with Magellan Advisors this morning.
They are working toward a deadline of February 15, 2021 to have the next draft of the plan
assembled. They are focusing on incorporating the Mayor's Smart City Initiative into the draft
plan. The board will have approximately ten days to review prior to the next board meeting at the
end of February.
Mrs. Juon questioned if the board is expecting anything that would need to go to the city council
for incorporating into the city budget.
Michelle Weidner, Chief Financial Officer, commented that she put a request into the Capital
Improvements Plan to begin to design of the city fiber that is needed. This may benefit the utility
to some degree but this is a focus on things the city would need.
Moved by Kurtenbach seconded by Young that "Resolution establishing a Broadband Ad Hoc
Committee of the City of Waterloo Telecommunications Utility Board," be approved. Voice vote
- Ayes: Five. Motion carried.
Mr. Van Fleet provided an overview of the resolution. He explained that the committee would
include community members that can help the board move the plan forward from a document
actionable items. He shared that the committee would be comprised of individuals who can
provide additional perspective in the areas of risk mitigation, digital infrastructure, community
marketing, and finance and business strategy. The committee would be separate from the board
but they are subject to the same open meeting rules as the board.
Mr. Kurtenbach questioned if other boards have ad hoc committees.
Page 2
Kelley Felchle, City Clerk, explained that the city does have other ad hoc committees and listed
two that currently serve the city council.
Ms. Kajtazovic questioned if the members serving on the committee would be appointed by the
Mayor or if anyone can come forward to serve.
Kelley Felchle explained that the board chair recommends committee members to serve then the
board would confirm the appointment, which is a process similar to how members are appointed
to this board. She further explained the structure of the committee as outlined in the resolution.
Mrs. Juon questioned if recommendations for appointments should be directed to Mr. Van Fleet.
Mr. Van Fleet confirmed that appointee suggestions can be directed to him.
With no further business before the board, it was moved by Young seconded by Kurtenbach that
the meeting be adjourned at 4:20 p.m. Voice -vote Ayes: Five. Motion carried.
xelEey fe(chCe
Kelley Felchle
City Clerk