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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05.17.2023 telecommunications minutesTELECOMMUNICATIONS UTILITY BOARD OF TRUSTEES Special Session Harold E. Getty Council Chambers City Hall May 17, 2023 4:00 p.m. Members present: Batemon, Kurtenbach, Young, Van Fleet and Council Liaison Rob Nichols. Absent: Ms. Wienands. Approval of Agenda. Moved by Kurtenbach seconded by Young that the Agenda, as presented, be approved. Voice - vote Ayes: Four. Motion carried. Approval of Minutes. Moved by Kurtenbach seconded by Batemon that the minutes of May 3, 2023 and May 10, 2023 Special Sessions, as proposed, be approved. Voice -vote Ayes: Four. Motion carried. Public hearing on not to exceed $4,000,000 Communications Utility Revenue Capital Loan Notes. Moved by Kurtenbach seconded by Young to receive and file proof of publication of notice of public hearing. Voice -vote Ayes: Four. Motion carried. This being the time and place for the public hearing, the board chair called for public comments and there were none. Moved by Kurtenbach seconded by Young to close the hearing and file any comments received. Voice -vote Ayes: Four. Motion carried. Moved by Kurtenbach seconded by Batemon that the Resolution instituting proceedings to take additional action be approved. Roll call -vote Ayes: Four. Motion carried. Resolution No. 2023- 011. Moved by Kurtenbach seconded by Batemon that the Resolution adopting the City of Waterloo FY2024 budget be approved. Voice -vote -Ayes: Four. Motion carried. Resolution No. 2023-012. Bridgett Wood, Finance Manager, provided an overview of the item. Mr. Kurtenbach questioned if the ARPA funds are included in the budget. Bridgett Wood explained that those funds are included in the city budget. Steve Nadel, Ahlers and Cooney, explained that due to the timeline, the city included the utility communications line item to comply with the budgetary requirements. He explained that it is important that this board adopt the city's budget for the communications utility because this board is the governing body. He reiterated comments from a prior discussion that in the fall, the board will adopt its own budget to begin with the start of the calendar year. Moved by Kurtenbach seconded by Van Fleet to appoint Mr. Batemon to serve on Network RFP equipment evaluation committee. Roll -call vote -Ayes: Four. Motion carried. Moved by Kurtenbach seconded by Young approving a proposal from Magellan Advisors, in the amount of $1,200.00, for branding guidelines, and authorizing the board chair to execute said document. Voice -vote Ayes: Four. Motion carried. Mr. Kurtenbach questioned if this includes fees for the website domain name. Page 2 Mr. Van Fleet explained that it does not and the utility would need to reimburse the city for the domain expense. General update from consultants, city staff, and board member comments. Mike Young left the meeting. Andy Van Fleet provided the Speer Financial update on behalf of Maggie Burger. Speer is awaiting a new timeline for the RFP of the backbone/FTP build out. We will work from that date to approve a plan of financing with the City Council and the Utility Board. This will outline the resources of cash and borrowings that will be used throughout this project. The first issuance of debt will be the working capital debt, as soon as a proposal for the bid is awarded. This will cover any operating expenditures that have already been made or need to be paid along with likely the first 24 months of capital operating costs. Steve Nadel, Ahlers and Cooney, commented that efforts continue on coordinating joint usage of various facilities and staff. He reviewed the various actions they would be taking as soon as the financing plan is in place as the bonds are issued, the first being the taxable bonds issued for working capital. He advised the board not to award any construction contracts until a committed lender is identified. Mr. Kurtenbach questioned if the board should move forward with getting a 28E Agreement with the City since the hiring of a Director is close. Steve Nadel commented that it would be good to get that started, and explained that he would need to see a list of everything that will be part of the sharing process to date. He stated that as long as everyone is tracking everything that is being done for sharing purposes, it is okay to continue and it can be memorialized and the proper payments can be made when funding is available. Courtney Violette, Magellan Advisors, commented that the bids were rejected and they have been at work on the required redesign measures for the critical crossings and other value engineering. They are working with MidAmerican on gaining access to pole lines and anticipate having these bids turned around in the next week or so. The project manager is working with Kelley on coordinating time and dates for what that re -bid schedule will be. He further commented that the pre -bid meeting for the Equipment Service RFP was well attended and noted that the initial round of interviews will be held next week for the Fiber Director. He shared that there has been a lot of progress on the marketing plan, website and social media and said hopefully it should be ready for launch in the next few days. Andy Van Fleet questioned if there is any update on the Middle Mile Grant. Courtney Violette commented that there is no news yet, but there may be an announcement later this month or in June. Andy Van Fleet questioned if the board should discuss the timeline in regard to the re -bid. Kelley Felchle, Board Secretary, reviewed the timeline for future meetings with the board. She explained that if the plans and specifications were approved on May 31, this could be posted on the website on June 1. Alternatively, if approved on June 7, it could be posted on June 8. She commented that with the upcoming projects, the board would likely need to meet at least twice a month through July or August. If the board agrees, she would send out calendar invites for May 31, June 7 and 21, and July 5, with future dates forthcoming. She further commented that generic questions for the Director interviews will be sent to the board for comment, and that a Federal EIN has been set up and a sales tax certificate on file. Mayor Hart recognized the hard work and efforts provided by the consultants and city staff to make this a fair and equitable opportunity for the entire city of Waterloo. Page 3 With no further business before the board, it was moved by Kurtenbach seconded by Batemon that the meeting be adjourned at 4:31 p.m. Voice -vote Ayes: Three. Motion carried. 7(elley Fe(ckCe Kelley Felchle Board Secretary