HomeMy WebLinkAbout9/16/26 Telecom Board Meeting MinutesTELECOMMUNICATIONS UTILITY
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Council Chambers
September 16, 2026
4:00 p.m.
1. Members present: Mr. Van Fleet, Mr. Kurtenbach, and Mr. Young. Absent: Mr.
Batemon and Ms. Wienands.
2. Moved by Kurtenbach seconded by Young that the agenda as proposed, be approved.
Voice vote-Ayes: Three. Motion carried.
3. Moved by Kurtenbach seconded by Young that the meeting minutes of September 2,
2026, as presented, be approved. Voice vote-Ayes: Three. Motion carried.
4. Moved by Young seconded by Kurtenbach that, Resolution No. 2026-13, authorizing
payment of bills for August 2026, be adopted. Roll Call vote-Ayes: Three. Motion
carried.
Mr. Van Fleet inquired whether the charges from ITG were consistent with
expectations.
Dave Herbsleb, ITG, stated that the charges were in line with expectations and
provided additional details regarding the costs.
Kelley Felchle, Board Secretary, asked whether there had been any unexpected issues
during the past month of construction.
Ian Crowther-Green, Waterloo Fiber, provided details of a discount they had received
for part of the project.
Dave Herbsleb confirmed there were no unexpected issues during construction.
Mr. Van Fleet stated that he would like to receive additional details regarding costs
going forward.
5. Moved by Kurtenbach seconded by Young that, Resolution 2026-14, approving an
Employment Agreement with Rob Houlihan for the position of Chief Executive Officer
and General Manager, be adopted. Voice vote-Ayes: Three. Motion carried.
Mr. Van Fleet provided an overview of the process used to select Rob Houlihan as the
General Manager.
Mr. Young expressed his appreciation for Ben Stineman for serving as Interim General
Manager.
Mr. Kurtenbach stated he is looking forward to having Rob Houlihan join Waterloo
Fiber.
Docusign Envelope ID: F3A8C9CE-D8E8-8775-8193-AF643DF51CEC
Page 2
6. Moved by Young seconded by Kurtenbach for a motion to approve the purchase of
CGNAT Router equipment in the amount of $64,760.50. Voice vote-Ayes: Three.
Motion carried.
Mr. Van Fleet stated that the purchase would result in cost savings.
Mr. Kurtenbach requested further clarification on the purchase.
Ben Stineman, Interim General Manager, stated that the equipment is a drop-in
replacement with perpetual licensing and lower support costs, with an estimated
annual savings of $20,000.
7. Update from General Manager and consultants.
Ben Stineman, Interim General Manager, stated that he does not have an update, but
mentioned that a special session may be necessary soon to approve agreements.
Mike Regan, Entrust, stated that Task Order 15 was handed off to Waterloo Fiber while
Task Orders 14, 16, and 17 are targeted for October or November. He also clarified
that downtown construction continues.
Dave Herbsleb, ITG, stated that Task Orders 16 or 17 are just being held up from the
Katoski Drive roundabout project.
Mr. Van Fleet inquired if construction would be done a month earlier.
Dave Herbsleb stated that is the goal due to the harsh conditions in the winter.
Mr. Van Fleet inquired about a late daily penalty that would accrue if construction
extended beyond the December 31 deadline.
Dave Herbsleb stated that the contract includes a provision allowing the construction
deadline to be extended with Board approval, if necessary. He clarified that the goal is
to complete the fiber-to-the-home construction by the end of the year. He also noted
that Task Order 13 may progress at a slower pace due to the complexity of the work.
Mr. Van Fleet asked how many feet are involved with Task Order 13.
Mike Regan clarified that approximately 50,000 feet remained. He also noted that utility
locates are taking 72 hours or more and that drilling was scheduled to take place on W.
6th Street on September 17.
8. Adjourn.
Docusign Envelope ID: F3A8C9CE-D8E8-8775-8193-AF643DF51CEC
Page 3
With no further business before the board, it was moved by Kurtenbach seconded by
Young that the meeting be adjourned at 4:27 p.m. Voice vote-Ayes: Three. Motion
carried.
Kelley Felchle
Board Secretary
Docusign Envelope ID: F3A8C9CE-D8E8-8775-8193-AF643DF51CEC