FiberNet Advisory Board Minutes 05-10-2011MINUTES
FIBERNET MONTICELLO ADVISORY BOARD MEETING
Tuesday, May 10, 2011— 6 p.m.
FiberNet Customer Service Office
Present: Clint Herbst, Glen Posusta, Wayne Mayer, Dennis Sullivan, Jeff O'Neill, Jerry
Olson (HBC)
Absent: Jon Morphew
Guests: Michele Hertwig, Manuel de Angel, CFO of HBC (by phone)
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Herbst at 6:04 p.m.
2. Additions to Agenda
• Infrared camera (security)
3. Consideration of Approval of Meeting Minutes — April 12, 2011
DENNIS SULLIVAN MOVED TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES FROM THE APRIL 12,
2011 BOARD MEETING. WAYNE MAYER SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION
CARRIED 4-0.
4. Marketing Report (Michele H)
• Marketing -PI — FNM Marketing Plan was handed out. New campaign to buy
out contracts was just released and already has had an impact. Other: new
website went live; billboard went up; flyer going into Promo Pak; promotion
starting with Bluestone Grill.
• Website update — new website is now active; let Michele know if any suggestions.
Michele has checked for legal compliance in placement and wording. Clint
Herbst suggested that we try to get picture of the 2011 graduating class and put on
Channel 12 with a congratulatory message. Discussed putting a program together
focusing on the senior class that could be run on the FNM local channel. Jeff
O'Neill mentioned that Opal Stokes had provided information on World War vets
from Monticello. He thought this might be an interesting idea for a community
interest perspective.
• City Interdepartmental Cooperation — Jeff O'Neill brought this up as a general
topic to include other departments in helping promote FNM services to the
community. We should encourage departments, such as Public Works, that come
in contact with the public to pass on information. Recommend inviting Public
Works employees out to the Head -end building to meet FiberNet staff.
• Discuss Development of Conferencing Capabilities — Jeff O'Neill would like to
develop plan for video conferencing in various city buildings.
• Facebook — Dennis Sullivan asked who is responsible for updating and
monitoring. Michele noted that she is doing that now. Dennis Sullivan suggested
that they remove the discussion ability from Facebook.
FiberNet Advisory Board Minutes — May 10, 2011
5. Operations/Financial Report — General Manager
• Financial reporting: Jerry Olson passed around a report that Manuolo had put
together from the City's financial reports. He pointed out there were some audit
adjustments that show up in March; however the quarterly financial report looks
more positive. He would recommend looking at financials on a quarterly basis
rather than every month. Jerry Olson noted that there are still questions to be
answered in the financial reports. Some of the capitalized assets have been
adjusted and there may be more adjustments yet to be made.
Jerry Olson discussed the bond report that was provided to the board members.
He pointed out the cash flows; he would like to see more cash generated from the
business rather than the bonds. Jerry Olson explained some of the cash outflow is
related to the construction contract and holdbacks.
• Update on past due accounts: Jerry Olson noted that disconnect notice amounts
have decreased in total from $55,000 to $2,500.
• Residential installation status — incentive plan report: Jerry Olson reported on
status of residential services stats
• Discussed need for a local source (employee) that can do entries and updates for
FNM Channel 12.
• Business client status: Jerry Olson brought up the issue of trying to work with
business customers that are looking to upgrade from their old centrex type
systems. After discussion, recommendation to contact Doug Dawson and discuss
options with Metaswitch to bring it up to what we need.
• Staffing_ update: Jerry Olson noted that some of the current seasonal staff will be
reaching the end of their service period in the next month or so and would be let
go at that time. There is some concern with keeping Jennifer Stevens as she has
been playing a crucial role with installations.
a) CSR Positions — Illeana Miller hired part-time, who also speaks Spanish.
Plan is to make offers for 2 more positions (1 fulltime and 1 part-time);
some of these persons have telecommunications experience.
b) General Manager — starting 1St interviews at HBC next week; 2nd
interviews could include FNM Board members.
c) Fiber locating - Leo Mazer has been hired and is working well between
Water Dept and FNM
6. Request for Cable Franchise for Bridge Water/TDS
TDS sent a letter to the City requesting consideration of having a cable franchise granted.
Discussion involved the timeline for a public hearing and other steps necessary to reach
an agreement.
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FiberNet Advisory Board Minutes — May 10, 2011
7. Outreach
• Proposal for National Municipal User Group — Jerry Olson noted that Jeff O'Neill
has been involved with this group and it appears that they are developing a
structure for the group.
• TISP presentation - May 4, 2011 — Jeff O'Neill, Jerry Olson, and Gary Evans
participated in this forum focusing on public/private partnerships in
telecommunications. Lac Qui Parle County is also developing a public/private
partnership to develop a network across the county. Commissioner of Commerce
was in attendance and shared comments on the new administration's policy on
broadband. Gary Evans of HBC is involved with helping develop that policy.
The broadband policy that is developed will apply statewide, which may mean
there will be future opportunities for entities like FNM to expand.
• ETC Application Complete — Includes letter from School Superintendent Johnson.
Not known whether FiberNet will have their application accepted; there are
changes proposed with the Universal Services Fund and the affect from that is
unknown. Dennis Sullivan asked about the program and Jerry Olson explained
the fund that is available for telecoms to utilize for investing in providing
connections to certain groups such as underprivileged.
• Community Based Programming Update — Jerry Olson noted that this is a
continuing issue that FiberNet and the City should be focusing on.
• Jerry Olson commented on the FiberNet email system which is lacking in a
variety of ways. May need to look into other options in the future.
8. Future Items
Governance Ordinance - establish bylaws for Advisory Board (no action taken)
9. Added Items
• Infrared cameras — such cameras could be mounted around the community for
either security or for capturing feeds that could be shown on the local FNM
channel
• Dennis Sullivan asked about Channel 222 which is not showing on the channel
list anymore; was wondering if that was gone. Jerry Olson was not sure but
thought it might have been replaced by another channel.
10. Adjourn
GLEN POSUSTA MOVED TO ADJOURN AT 8:12 P.M. DENNIS SULLIVAN
SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED 4-0.
Recorder: Catherine M. Shuman(,Q.J
Approved: June 14, 2011
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Attest:
Ci Adm strator
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FiberNet Advisory Board Minutes — May 10, 2011