HomeMy WebLinkAbout05.15.2024.telecommunications minutes TELECOMMUNICATIONS UTILITY
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
City Council Chambers
May 15, 2024
4:00 p.m.
1. Members present: Van Fleet, Kurtenbach, Young and Batemon. Ms. Wienands was
absent.
2. Moved by Kurtenbach seconded by Young that the agenda as presented, be
approved. Voice vote-Ayes: Three. Motion carried.
3. Moved by Young seconded by Kurtenbach that the minutes of April 17, 2024, regular
session, and May 9, 2024, special session, as presented, be approved. Voice vote-
Ayes: Three. Motion carried.
4. Moved by Young seconded by Kurtenbach to approve a Separation Agreement and
General Release with Mia Tien and a severance payment of$1,934.40 and
authorizing the General Manager of Telecommunications to execute said document.
Voice vote-Ayes: Three. Motion carried.
Mr. Kurtenbach questioned when additional updates will be coming to the employee
handbook.
Eric Lage, General Manager of Telecommunications, provided an update.
5. Moved by Young seconded by Van Fleet to approve a Municipal Communications
Utility Confidential Information Policy. Voice vote-Ayes: Three. Motion carried.
Mr. Van Fleet suggested reviewing references to "the city" and "Waterloo Fiber"
throughout the document.
Kelley Felchle, Board Secretary, commented that the references will be reviewed,
and changes can be made as appropriate. She noted that she and Eric can pose
the question to our attorney at Ahlers who wrote the policy, adding that it would be
okay to approve the form of policy, as is.
Mr. Kurtenbach commented that he would be okay with postponing the vote for a
month to make sure it is right the first time.
Kelley Felchle commented that she believes it to be more a point of clarification.
Mr. Van Fleet shared that he is okay approving it tonight but would like to have it on
the next agenda for follow up.
Kelley Felchle shared that she would like to see it approved tonight in the event we
do have some sort of issue with confidentiality, or any records requests come in
where we might have to deal with those concerns.
6. Moved by Kurtenbach seconded by Young to approve an Alcohol and Drug Abuse
Policy and a Drug and Alcohol Testing for Commercial Driver's License. Voice vote-
Ayes: Three. Motion carried.
Mr. Kurtenbach questioned how many positions we have that require a CDL.
Eric Lage, General Manager of Telecommunications, commented that currently we
have none, but this is more for the future if we do have equipment such as a
direction drill that would require a CDL to transport.
Mr. Kurtenbach questioned if this would cover all employees or only those with a
CDL.
Eric Lage explained that this would cover everybody.
Kelley Felchle explained that the motion is to approve two separate policies.
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7. Update from Speer Financial, General Manager of Telecommunications, and
consultants.
Eric Lage, General Manager of Telecommunications, shared that they continue to
work toward implementing Camvio, and said they anticipate that payroll and
insurance benefits will begin June 1 st along with our own accounting. Erin has been
working on our website with marketing and that outside construction is going full
force. They are continuing to work on the Facilities RFP and as soon as they have
an update, they'll bring that before the board.
Kelley Felchle, Board Secretary, shared that in addition to the Facilities RFP, they
are also beginning to work on an RFP for accounting services.
Mike Reagan, ENTrust, commented that they are making great progress with
construction and are about halfway through Phase 1. Locates are picking up with
the drilling activities with thirteen drills currently in the field.
8. Moved by Kurtenbach seconded by Young to adjourn to a closed session at 4:30
p.m. pursuant to Iowa Code Section 388.9(1) to discuss marketing and pricing
strategies or proprietary information if its competitive position would be harmed by
public disclosure not required of potential or actual competitors, and if no public
purpose would be served by such disclosure. Voice vote-Ayes: Three. Motion
carried.
Following the vote, discussion occurred concerning whether a sufficient number of
members were present to hold the closed session. It was decided to not hold the
closed session. After the meeting ended it was determined through review of Iowa
Code 21 .5(1) that a sufficient number of members were present and voted in the
affirmation to hold the closed session.
9. Adjourn.
With no further business before the board, it was moved by Kurtenbach seconded by
Young that the meeting be adjourned at 4:30 p.m. Voice vote-Ayes: Three. Motion
carried.
Xe(Cey Fefchfe
Kelley Felchle
Board Secretary