FiberNet Advisory Board Minutes 09-08-2009FiberNet Advisory Board
City of Monticello
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Voting Members: Wayne Nehrenz, Roxanne Bakula, Jon Morphew, Clint Herbst,
Glen Posusta
Non - voting Members: Jeff O'Neill, Don Patten
ALL PRESENT
1. Call to Order — Mayor Clint Herbst - 6:05pm
2. Approval of Minutes —August 11, 2009
Motion — GP with corrections: spelling in #8, reword in #7 "Prefer Prairie Center in
choice of site"; 2 °d — RB; unan.
3. Updates to Agenda
• NATOA — National Conference /Award - JO
• Wayne Mayer update from Jeff O — Had to leave before addressed
• Bylaws for Board— Roxanne wanted to know process -Staff directed to come up
with draft for Board
• Contacts with Sweden representation — update from JO
• Report on meeting with Chamber (under Business Office item) - CH
4. RFPs — Switch and Video
(DP update) MetaSwitch equipment has been received; site review on 9/14 with install
on 9/24. Ahead of schedule with dial tone switch. Still have to wait for federal and state
approvals. There will be a tutorial added to the website regarding phone service.
Video Switch bids opened on 8/28; range from $921,001 to $4.495,926. $1.5 M budgeted in
business plan; low bid appears to meet our requirement. 4 bids received; 1 rejected as no bid
bond sent.
CH asked if there was anything more that $4M bid could do that $1M would do. DP—not
really. Bid package asked for 5 years of prepaid transport fee be included regardless of
number of subscribers. The large variance may be connected to the calculation on number of
subscribers relative to transport fees. Don noted that there are components related to the
video switch that will have to be purchased — these are pieces that were identified separate
from bid package. Clint noted that it is good to see that costs are coming in within the
business plan. DP explained that they are still reviewing bids; plan to have approval on
agenda for CC mtg on 9/14.
CH discussed the blog on the Times site that gave impression that city staff time is being
used on FNM. He asked if Jeff could reply to that to explain how project is being accounted
for. GP suggested that Don P write an article for Community Perspective explaining goals of
FNM and objectives that City hopes to accomplish in the long run.
Jon M asked if possible to hold a public forum to allow Q & A — maybe on Channel 12.
Questions and discussion on handling public relations for FNM
5. Video Streaming CC Meetings -Jeff
• JO explained that video taping is done through the Cable Commission with Charter
Communications as the main resource. Wants to know how Advisory Board wants to
address control of the video streaming capabilities. Do we want to provide it to the
public at large or reserve the capability to those signing up with FNM? GP pointed
out that there is a competitive advantage to providing the video streaming of
meetings. There are citizens who have cable rather than satellite TV to take advantage
of local programming. CH asked if members preferred to make a decision now or to
wait and address it after we have video service available. Consensus is to hold off for
now.
6. Business Office
DP noted that FNM is beginning to occupy the new office space in Prairie Center.
Currently doing electrical and remodeling work. Should be able to move into the new
quarters by the end of next week.
CH noted that he met with Chamber this morning to discuss concerns raised by Mielke
Partners over the purchase of Prairie Center. Meilke questioned why the City purchased the
building and is subsidizing FNM. CH explained that the City felt it was in the best interest of
the taxpayers for the City to be the owner of the building with FNM as a tenant. FNM will
pay its own way and meet its business plan this way. Current lessees would not be asked to
leave, but are open to leave at any time. When they leave, City will utilize space themselves.
City does not plan to be in the leasing business.
7. Other:
• NATOA — City won national award for Broadband Community of the Year. To be
awarded on Sept 30 in New Orleans — do we want to send a representative to accept
award? Possibility of also touring Lafayette's system the day before. Suggested to
send out itinerary (web link) to Advisory Board members for feedback.
• Jeff noted he has some ongoing contact with a representative from Sweden regarding
broadband utilization; Roxanne noted that she her neighbor might be a good contact
(speaks Sweden and visits there every year)
• GP — noted that City Hall is getting requests for kick backs on FNM installs. EX. If
FNM connects to a certain building or area, the owner would receive a kick back for
allowing FNM in their site. This is not something that the City will be involved in
and asked Board members to be aware of
• Update on FNM — Don noted 89% take rate on drops to the premise. He noted that
the requirements for starting up a new telecommunications company normally takes
at least a year. FNM will probably get regulatory steps finished in a little over 6
months. GP questioned whether Board should consider going to Winona to meet with
HBC and see how they operate. Could help with understanding and decision making.
Will be taken under consideration for sometime later this year.
8. Next Meeting
Tues, Sept 22, 2009 Prairie Center meeting room
9. Adjournment
GP motion 7:30pm adjourn; 2 a — Jon M; unan.