HomeMy WebLinkAbout2/18/26 Telecom Board Meeting Minutes
TELECOMMUNICATIONS UTILITY
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Council Chambers
February 18, 2026
4:00 p.m.
1. Members present: Mr. Van Fleet, Mr. Kurtenbach, Mr. Young, and Mr. Batemon.
Absent: Ms. Wienands.
2. Moved by Kurtenbach seconded by Young that the agenda as proposed, be approved.
Voice vote-Ayes: Four. Motion carried.
3. Moved by Kurtenbach seconded by Batemon that the minutes of January 21, 2026,
meeting, as presented, be approved. Voice vote-Ayes: Four. Motion carried.
4. Moved by Young seconded by Batemon that a, Resolution No. 2026-02, authorizing
payment of bills for January 2026, be adopted. Roll Call vote-Ayes: Four. Motion
carried.
Eric Lage, General Manager, commented that the board will receive two separate
documents for the approval of the resolution of bills. One will be for capital
expenditures and the other for operational expenditures.
5. Moved by Kurtenbach seconded by Young that a, Resolution 2026-03, approving
hiring Westen Graham to the position of Field Services Technician, at an hourly rate
of $30.00 per hour, effective February 23, 2026, be adopted. Voice vote-Ayes: Four.
Motion carried.
Eric Lage, General Manager, stated that Westen Graham is from ITG, and is the first
field tech.
Mr. Van Fleet wanted clarification there is no conflict of interest, in which Eric Lage
expressed there is not.
6. Moved by Kurtenbach seconded by Young that a, Resolution No. 2026-04, approving
a Waterloo Fiber Investment Policy and approving appointment of Eric Lage as
Treasurer under said policy, be adopted. Voice vote-Ayes: Four. Motion carried.
Eric Lage, General Manager, provided an overview of the policy.
Mr. Van Fleet inquired about how the board can receive policy change updates.
Eric Lage stated he will check with the IAMU for said updates.
Kelley Felchle, Board Secretary, expressed that the legislative updates can be used
as an alert to update the policy.
Mr. Kurtenbach asked about semiannual reviews for the Treasury appointment.
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Mr. Van Fleet mentioned having the auditors conduct the reviews.
7. Moved by Kurtenbach seconded by Batemon that a, Resolution No. 2026-05,
approving a Waterloo Fiber Referral Program Policy, be adopted. Voice vote-Ayes:
Four. Motion carried.
Mr. Van Fleet expressed his support for the program.
Eric Lage, General Manager, briefly discussed the policy.
8. Approval of change orders, in conjunction with the FY2023 Construction of a Fiber-to-
the-Premise Feeder/Distribution and Backbone Network Project, Contract No. 1088:
a. Moved by Young seconded by Batemon approving CR2026-0040 for an
increase of $232,440.00.
Eric Lage, General Manager, explained the sub-contractor encountered rock
during installation. The contract specifies a required approval process and
additional fee for such conditions; however, the sub-contractor proceeded
with the work without obtaining approval.
Mr. Van Fleet requested Mike Reagan with Entrust, give his insight as to
what happened.
Mike Reagan, Entrust, provided an overview of the situation and explained
what steps should have been taken. He also noted that $113,000 will be paid
by the City of Waterloo, and Waterloo Fiber will cover the rest.
Mr. Van Fleet called for a 10 percent reduction in costs as the result of this
matter.
Chuck Smith with ITG, expressed that he will consult with the Entrust team
and follow up.
Moved by Kurtenbach seconded by Van Fleet to table this item.
Roll call vote-Ayes: Four. Motion carried.
b. Moved by Kurtenbach seconded by Van Fleet approving CR2026-0041 for
an increase of $15,000.00. Voice vote-Ayes: Four. Motion carried.
Eric Lage, General Manager, provided an overview of the increase.
c. Moved by Kurtenbach seconded by Young approving CR2026-0042 for an
increase of $17.700.00. Voice vote-Ayes: Four. Motion carried.
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d. Moved by Kurtenbach seconded by Van Fleet approving CR2026-0043 for
an increase of $7,575.00. Voice vote-Ayes: Four. Motion carried.
e. Moved by Kurtenbach seconded by Van Fleet approving CR2026-0044 for
an increase of $13,650.00. Voice vote-Ayes: Four. Motion carried.
f. Moved by Kurtenbach seconded by Batemon approving CR2026-0045 for a
decrease of $38,607.87. Voice vote-Ayes: Four. Motion carried.
Eric Lage, General Manager, explained there are five businesses that
require a DOT occupancy fee, and this decrease would remove said
businesses from the project.
9. Update from general manager and consultants.
Eric Lage, General Manager, provided an update on the new door to door program.
Mr. Kurtenbach also mentioned the new commercials with Ron Steele.
Mike Reagan, Entrust, expressed that Task Order No. 9 is projected to be finalized
either at the end of this month, or early March. He also explained that Hut #3 will be
completed soon.
Mr. Van Fleet inquired about downtown construction update.
Eric Lage, General Manager, explained that work has been stalled due to frozen
ground.
10. Adjourn.
With no further business before the board, it was moved by Kurtenbach seconded by
Batemon that the meeting be adjourned at 4:29 p.m. Voice vote-Ayes: Four. Motion
carried.
Kelley Felchle
Board Secretary