HomeMy WebLinkAbout11.01.2023.telecommunications minutesTELECOMMUNICATIONS UTILITY
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Harold E. Getty Council Chambers
November 1, 2023
4:00 p.m.
1. Roll Call
Members present: Van Fleet, Kurtenbach, Young, and Batemon. Absent: Wienands.
2. Approval of Agenda.
Moved by Kurtenbach seconded by Young that the Agenda, as presented, be approved. Voice -
vote Ayes: Four. Motion carried.
3. Approval of Minutes.
Moved by Kurtenbach seconded by Young that the minutes of October 18, 2023 Regular
Session, as proposed, be approved. Voice -vote: Four. Motion carried.
4. Motion approving reimbursement to the City of Waterloo for the purchase of cabinets and
splitters, in the amount of $20,176.31.
Eric Lage, General Manager, provided an overview of the purchase.
Mr. Van Fleet questioned the security for Waterloo Fiber equipment at the Public Works
facility.
Mr. Lage provided an overview of security measures at the facility.
Moved by Young seconded by Kurtenbach. Voice -vote: Four. Motion carried.
5. Motion approving the creation of a Sales Manager position and a Strategic Communications
Manager position within Waterloo Fiber, and eliminating the Sales and Marketing Manager
position.
Moved by Kurtenbach seconded by Young.
Eric Lage provided an overview of the changes to the positions. He asked that the Sales
Manager be changed to Product and Services Manager. He shared that this person is going to
have to work with the OSP Supervisor to determine accurate pricing and services.
Moved by Young second by Kurtenbach, that the motion be amended to strike Sales
Manager and insert Product and Services Manager. Voice -vote: Four. Motion carried.
The board provided additional comments on the urgency of filling both of these positions.
The board then voted on the motion as amended. Voice -vote: Four. Motion carried.
6. Resolution approving an Incentive Pay Policy for Waterloo Fiber employees.
Mr. Van Fleet provided an overview of the policy.
Eric Lage, General Manager, shared that this will give Waterloo Fiber a competitive edge.
Mr. Van Fleet shared that this policy can be amended in the future if needed.
Moved by Kurtenbach seconded by Batemon. Roll call -vote: Four. Motion carried.
Resolution No. 2023-028.
7. General comments from staff, consultants, and board members.
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Eric Lage provided the general manager report. Interviews are ongoing for various key
positions. ITG is considering bringing on additional crews to increase production, and the
blowing of fiber should begin next week. It is anticipated that the first test customer will be
signed up before the end of the year. USIC is currently locating for Mediacom, Metronet and
MidAmerican Energy. Beginning in 2024, Vannguard will take over the MidAmerican
Energy contract. It is uncertain what that means for us regarding locates moving forward and
will likely need to be revisited in the spring.
Warren Lyon, Magellan Advisors, reported that there are no major updates in the field at this
time. He shared that there are a couple of RFP's that will come before the board in the next
few meetings.
Chris Wendland, Attorney for Board, stated that there are no new updates beyond incentive
pay plan that was adopted today.
Kelley Felchle, Board Secretary, reported that she continues to assist with interviews. She
commented on the possibility of altering future meeting dates as the holidays approach and
asked that the board members look at their availability for the coming weeks and
communicate that information to Magellan as well. She also commented that now that the
Incentive Pay Policy has been approved, it is important to get board approval for the
employment agreements for key staff.
8. Adi ourn.
With no further business before the board, it was moved by Kurtenbach seconded by Young
that the meeting be adjourned at 4:20 p.m. Voice -vote Ayes: Four. Motion carried.
7(etTey Fefch1
Kelley Felchle
Board Secretary