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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09.04.2024.telecommunications Special Session minutes TELECOMMUNICATIONS UTILITY BOARD OF TRUSTEES City Clerk's Office September 4, 2024 12:00 p.m. 1. Members present: Van Fleet, Mr. Kurtenbach, Mr. Young. Ms. Wienands joined the meeting at 12:04pm. Mr. Batemon 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 Kurtenbach seconded by Young that the minutes of August 21, 2024, Regular Session, as presented, be approved. Voice vote-Ayes: Three. Motion carried. 4. Public Hearing on Setting Rates. 4.1. Moved by Kurtenbach seconded by Young to open the public hearing and receive and file notice of hearing. Voice vote-Ayes: Three. Motion carried. 4.2. Moved by Kurtenbach seconded by Young to close the public hearing. Voice vote-Ayes: Three. Motion carried. 4.3. Moved by Kurtenbach seconded by Young to adopt a resolution approving the adoption of additional rates. Roll Call vote-Ayes: Four. Motion carried. Resolution No. 2024-006. Mr. Kurtenbach questioned if this would be an additional fee each resident would pay. Eric Lage, General Manager, explained that the IP address is a separate fee, but only for those who chose to have an IP number. He then provided an overview for each of the items. Mr. Van Fleet questioned if he could rent a modem from Waterloo Fiber and use his personal mesh unit and still get managed services. Eric Lage clarified that there is no modem rental, just the gateway which is the wireless router. He explained that his mesh unit wouldn't match with the gateway, but an extender would likely be the only way that would work. Mr. Kurtenbach questioned if the mesh unit was like Mediacom's eero unit. Eric Lage commented that the mesh unit is a higher quality but along the same lines. 5. Moved by Kurtenbach seconded by Wienands to adopt a resolution approving hiring Tobin Orcutt to the position of NOC Technician at a rate of$26.00 per hour plus benefits, effective September 16, 2024, conditioned on passing a background check. Roll Call vote-Ayes: Four. Motion carried. Resolution No. 2024-007. Eric Lage, General Manager, provided an overview of Tobin Orcutt's experience. Mr. Kurtenbach requested an overview of the job duties and responsibilities of the NOC Technician. Eric Lage explained that the NOC Technician is basically our Help Desk and would handle any issues or tech support questions. 6. Moved by Kurtenbach seconded by Young to adopt a resolution approving hiring Trey Corkery to the position of NOC Technician, at a rate of $22.00 per hour plus benefits, effective September 16, 2024, conditioned on passing a background check. Eric Lage commented that this item is not ready for a vote and apologized for the miscommunication. Kelley Felchle, Board Secretary, suggested tabling the item to a future date. Page 2 Moved by Kurtenbach seconded by Young to table the item. Voice vote: Ayes: Four. Motion carried. 7. Moved by Young seconded by Kurtenbach to adopt a resolution approving a Master Services Agreement with NeoNova Network Services, LLC, dba NRTC Managed Services and authorizing the General Manager of Telecommunications to execute said document. Roll Call vote -Ayes: Four. Motion carried. Resolution No. 2024-008. Eric Lage, General Manager, explained that NRTC is a cooperative that offers a variety of management services for ISP's, and they will be providing help desk coverage after hours and weekends. He provided an overview of the agreement terms and explained that this is a 3 -year agreement, after which time we should be able to justify bringing the 24-hour help desk inhouse. Mr. Kurtenbach questioned if he anticipated there would be many calls afterhours or weekends. Eric Lage commented that it is difficult to determine at this stage, but he doesn't expect a lot. However, as we bring on additional services it would certainly increase. He explained that there is an expectation for any ISP that there would be someone answering phones 24 hours, especially when you are bringing on businesses. 8. General update from the General Manager of Telecommunications and consultants. Eric Lage, General Manager, shared that they are working on an agreement with Magellan for As-Built's and another proposal for twelve additional designs for new housing developments that have come to Waterloo since the original design was created. He is also working on a maintenance agreement with ITG in case some of our fiber gets damaged. Mr. Van Fleet questioned how many pedestals there are currently. Eric Lage commented there are currently about 120 and each pedestal serves 288 customers. He further commented that they are looking into doing ariel or pedestals rather than vaults due to the very narrow right of way in the Sans Souci Island area. Mr. Van Fleet questioned how the Work Session went. Eric Lage commented that it went well, and council asked some good questions. Mr. Van Fleet questioned when it will go to council. Kelley Felchle, Board Secretary, commented that it will go to council on September 16 and this Board agenda on September 18. Mr. Kurtenbach questioned if the board should attend the council meeting to show support. Kelley Felchle shared that the reception was very good with positive feedback from council and she does not anticipate any issues, but if anyone on the board would like to attend the council appreciates seeing your faces in the audience as well. Mr. Van Fleet commented that there has been a lot of buzz and excitement as people move from pre -sign up to getting signed up. Mr. Kurtenbach questioned if we would start to begin budget talks next month. Eric Lage confirmed that October would the time to prepare for the CY25 budget. Page 3 Mr. Van Fleet questioned how the audit would be handled this year. Eric Lage commented that he is trying to put together an Auditing Firm RFP for the next meeting. 9. Adjourn. With no further business before the board, it was moved by Kurtenbach seconded by Young that the meeting be adjourned at 12:23 p.m. Voice vote -Ayes: Four. Motion carried. Xef(ey (Fe (ch(e Kelley Felchle Board Secretary