HomeMy WebLinkAbout08.21.2024.telecommunications minutes TELECOMMUNICATIONS UTILITY
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
City Council Chambers
August 21 , 2024
4:00 p.m.
1. Members present: Van Fleet, Batemon and Mr. Kurtenbach. Mr. Young joined the
meeting at 4:35 p.m. Ms. Wienands was absent.
2. Moved by Kurtenbach seconded by Batemon that the agenda, as presented, be
approved. Voice vote-Ayes: Three. Motion carried.
3. Moved by Kurtenbach seconded by Batemon that the minutes of June 25, 2024, and
July 24, 2024, Regular Session, as presented, be approved. Voice vote-Ayes:
Three. Motion carried.
4. Moved by Kurtenbach seconded by Batemon to adopt a resolution approving the
payment of bills. Roll Call vote- Ayes: Three. Motion carried. Resolution No. 2024-
002.
5. Confidential information policy training.
Tim Whipple, Ahlers and Cooney, provided background on confidentiality concerns
specific to a city telecommunication utility and covered open meetings law, trade
secrets, confidential records, records requests, and protection of exchanged
information. He commented on the importance of designating a records officer and
communications officer.
The board discussed training points with Mr. Whipple.
6. Moved by Young seconded by Kurtenbach to adopt a resolution approving the
Waterloo Fiber Employee Handbook. Roll Call vote-Ayes: Four. Motion carried.
Resolution No. 2024-003.
Mr. Kurtenbach questioned the amount of vacation hours that can be carried over,
and if sick leave accrual is pro-rated for those who have been employed under a
year.
Eric Lage, General Manager, explained that a maximum of twenty-four hours of
vacation time may be carried over to the following calendar year, and confirmed that
sick leave accrual is pro-rated.
Mr. Van Fleet commented on missing language for items requiring board approval.
Kelley Felchle, Board Secretary, confirmed the additional language would be added.
7. Moved by Young seconded by Kurtenbach to adopt a resolution setting date of
public hearing as September 4, 2024 at Noon via Zoom, to approve utility rates. Roll
Call vote-Ayes: Four. Motion carried. Resolution No. 2024-004.
8. Moved by Kurtenbach seconded by Young to adopt a resolution approving a Real
Estate Purchase Agreement with Anthony L. Bradfield for parcels 8912-19-258-001,
-002, and -004, situated on Idaho Street, in the amount of $30,000.00. Roll Call vote-
Ayes: Four. Motion carried. Resolution No. 2024-005.
Eric Lage, General Manager, explained the purpose of the real estate purchase.
9. Moved by Kurtenbach seconded by Young to approve a Tax Rating Service
Agreement with Compliance Solutions Inc., for tax compliance in billing software.
Voice vote-Ayes: Four. Motion carried.
Eric Lage, General Manager, provided an overview of the agreement.
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10.Moved by Young seconded by Kurtenbach to approve a Redundant Internet
Agreement with South Front Network. Voice vote-Ayes: Four. Motion carried.
Eric Lage, General Manager, provided an overview of items 10 through 12.
11.Moved by Young seconded by Kurtenbach to approve a Redundant Internet
Agreement with Hurricane Electric. Voice vote-Ayes: Four. Motion carried.
12.Moved by Kurtenbach seconded by Young to approve a Redundant Internet
Agreement with UPN. Voice vote-Ayes: Four. Motion carried.
Eric Lage, General Manager, commented that he approached UPN for a potential
discount, and they have offered to provide the first three months free if we signed a
3-year agreement, or five months free with a 5-year agreement. He stated that he
believes the 3-year term would be the best choice based on our future needs.
13.Moved by Young seconded by Kurtenbach to approve a Right-of-Way Agreement
with the City of Waterloo. Voice vote-Ayes: Four. Motion carried.
Mr. Van Fleet provided a recap of the concerns he shared at the previous meeting
and his request for legal review. Tim Whipple reviewed the agreement and did not
have any significant concerns but did provide additional perspective which was
beneficial to read through. He commented that he no longer has any concerns with
the agreement.
14.General update from the General Manager of Telecommunications and consultants.
Eric Lage, General Manager, provided a construction update and commented that
he is working with Magellan on an as-built proposal as well as some additional
design changes for areas of the city that were not in the original design. He shared
that they went live last Tuesday and Thursday and began signing up customers
noting that he anticipates the installs will begin the first part of October. Interviewing
continues to fill the Product and Services Manager as well as the Help Desk
Technician position.
Maggie Burger, Speer Financial, commented that they are working on getting
additional working capital debt with a timeline of September or October. She further
provided an overview of how a potential drop in interest rates might affect the utility.
Mike Regan, Entrust, commented that they are targeting bid issuance for the second
shelter, next month.
Kelley Felchle, Board Secretary, commented that we would like to set up a working
session with the board sometime in September or October to talk about the board's
goals and high-level vision for the organization. Work on the new budget will begin
soon and Eric will be working on performance evaluations with staff in the fall. This
information can be used to work on ways to drill that vision down into the
organization.
15. Adjourn.
With no further business before the board, it was moved by Kurtenbach seconded by
Young that the meeting be adjourned at 5:15 p.m. Voice vote-Ayes: Four. Motion carried.
Kelley Felchle
Board Secretary