HomeMy WebLinkAbout04.28.2025.telecommunications_minutes.docx Docusign Envelope ID: D823876F-A6F2-476A-9985-1E4DF157FBDE
TELECOMMUNICATIONS UTILITY
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
City Council Chambers
April 28, 2025
3:00 p.m.
1. Members present: Mr. Van Fleet, Mr. Kurtenbach, Mr. Batemon, Mr. Young. Ms.
Wienands was absent.
2. Moved by Kurtenbach seconded by Young that the agenda as presented, be
approved. Voice vote-Ayes: Four. Motion carried.
3. Moved by Young seconded by Kurtenbach that the minutes of February 26, 2025,
special session, as presented, be approved. Voice vote-Ayes: Four. Motion carried.
4. Moved by Young seconded by Kurtenbach to approve the Resolution of Bills for
February and March 2025. Roll Call vote-Ayes: Four. Motion carried. Resolution
2025-006.
Mr. Kurtenbach questioned if there were outstanding bills for Ahlers.
Eric Lage, General Manager, shared there are none.
Mr. Van Fleet questioned the line for child support.
Eric Lage explained that it is for an employee who has monthly child support
garnishment.
5. Moved by Young seconded by Kurtenbach to approve Change Order No. 2025-0019
for a decrease of $29,516.43, in conjunction with the FY2023 Construction of a
Fiber-to-the-Premise Feeder/Distribution and Backbone Network Project, Contract
No. 1088. Voice vote-Ayes: Four. Motion carried.
Eric Lage provided an overview of this change order and the change order in item 6.
6. Moved by Young seconded by Kurtenbach to approve Change Order No. 2025-
0020 for an increase of $90,572.97, in conjunction with the FY2023 Construction of
a Fiber-to-the-Premise Feeder/Distribution and Backbone Network Project, Contract
No. 1088 Voice vote-Ayes: Four. Motion carried.
7. Moved by Kurtenbach seconded by Young to receive and file a conclusion of
employment of Erica Christiansen, effective April 18, 2025, including a payout of
$1,489.68. Voice vote-Ayes: Four. Motion carried.
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8. Moved by Kurtenbach seconded by Batemon to approve a resolution approving
preliminary plans, specifications, form of contract, etc., setting date of bid opening
as May 29, 2025, and date of public hearing as June 18, 2025, in conjunction with
the FY 2025 Prefabricated Shelter at 512 University Avenue, Contract No. 1113,
and instruct the Board Secretary to publish notice. Roll Call vote-Ayes: Four.
Motion carried. Resolution 2025-007.
Mr. Kurtenbach questioned if the board will see the bids for Hut 2.
Eric Lage commented that civil work is still being done.
9. Moved by Kurtenbach seconded by Young to approve a resolution hiring Tamia
Wilson to the position of Receptionist, effective May 5, 2025, at an hourly rate of
$19.00 per hour with a $1 .00 increase for successful completion of the first 6
months of employment. Roll Call vote-Ayes: Four. Motion carried. Resolution 2025-
008.
10. Moved by Kurtenbach seconded by Young to approve a resolution hiring Anthony
Crow to the position of Customer Service Representative 1, effective May 12, 2025,
at a rate of $21.00 with a $1.00 increase for successful completion of the first 6
months of employment. Roll Call vote-Ayes: Four. Motion carried. Resolution 2025-
009.
11. Update from general manager and consultants and discuss of conduit depth quality
control.
Eric Lage, General Manager, shared that Waterloo Fiber has officially moved in at
402 E. 4t" Street.
Mr. Kurtenbach shared that he noticed that the ITG crew did not lay the conduit at
his home at the lower depth that they are paying extra for. He viewed the shaft
coming through at around 27" and not 42". He commented that he spoke with Eric
and questioned if there needs to be an audit of the work done to make sure we are
getting the work done that we are paying for.
Mr. Van Fleet questioned if Eric has the bore logs and if they cover everything that
is being done.
Eric Lage confirmed.
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Mr. Van Fleet asked if someone from ITG would check on this.
David Herbsleb, Field Manager at ITG, explained that there are a team of field
inspectors that go out and inspect all the work. After receiving Mr. Kurtenbach's
concern, he sent a field supervisor and underground locator out to investigate the
work thoroughly. They determined that due to the proximity of the driveway and a
gas service line, it was necessary to raise up to maintain separation as required. He
further shared that it is not mechanically possible to go 42" down and come up at 90
degrees with their boring equipment. He commented that this location had
limitations due to the proximity of the driveway to the gas service line. They are
carefully inspecting and double inspecting the depths and maintaining 42" plus in
every area it is possible.
Mr. Kurtenbach acknowledged the explanation and reiterated his concern that he
did not get what he is paying for.
Mr. Van Fleet asked if there is any equipment that doesn't share the same the
limitations of the current equipment.
David Herbsleb commented there is not and that especially with fiber optic material
you cannot do sharp bends. He shared that the various underground service lines
all pose an obstruction. The crew finds the depth of those lines and then determines
if they can go above or below it, so there are some areas that they are not able to
maintain the depth.
Maggie Burger, Speer Financial, shared that she has been working with Entrust in
getting the proforma, which is the key to getting financing in place to pay back the
city. The city needs that to take place by June 30, which their fiscal year end.
Mike Regan, Entrust, provided an update on the construction progress and shared
they have released the last two task orders for the project.
12. Moved by Young seconded by Batemon to adjourn to closed session 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.
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Moved by Kurtenbach seconded by Young to adjourn from a closed session at 4:32
p.m. Roll Call vote-Ayes: Four Motion carried.
13. Adjourn.
With no further business before the board, it was moved by Kurtenbach seconded by
Young that the meeting be adjourned at 4:32 p.m. Voice vote-Ayes: Four. Motion carried.
DocuSigned by: aDn F
Kelleye�c�ile
Board Secretary