FiberNet Advisory Board Minutes 07-12-2011MINUTES
FIBERNET MONTICELLO ADVISORY BOARD MEETING
Tuesday, July 12, 2011— 6 p.m.
FiberNet Customer Service Office
Voting: Clint Herbst, Glen Posusta, Wayne Mayer, Dennis Sullivan, Glen Posusta
Non-voting: Jeff O'Neill, Ben Ranft (HBC)
Absent: Jon Morphew
Guests: Michele Hertwig, Jerry Olson (HBC), Manuelo D'Angelo (HBC)
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Herbst at 6 p.m.
2. Additions to Agenda
• Equipment purchase
• HBC agreement
3. Consideration of Approval of Meeting Minutes — June 14, 2011
DENNIS SULLIVAN MOVED TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES OF THE JUNE 14, 2011
MEETING. WAYNE MAYER SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED 3-
0. (Glen Posusta not present at this time.)
4. Marketing Report (Michele H)
• Marketing update — FiberNet was involved with Riverfest Block Party and Riverfest
for the past week; Dress a Duck contest produced 7 new sign-ups; stuffer going out
with UB bills on July 20th; kiosk sign is up at MCC; "Did you know?" postcard
campaign coming up; press release on Ben Ranft appeared in Times on July 7.
Wayne Mayer questioned the use of the "Let us hook you up" line on the promotions
and how long this will be used. Michele said this ties in with the billboard and will
be in effect until October. Some discussion on emphasizing that FiberNet revenues
stay local, and incorporate this into a new tag line. (Ex. Your money stays here, Keep
your money at home).
• Website update — still in process of getting it updated. Took a look at website and
Wayne Mayer requested that the "My Account" button be split into two: an email
button and a bill pay button. It was noted that if you click on "My Account" (rather
than one of the options) it returns to the home page.
5. Operations/Financial Report — General Manager Ben Ranft
Introduced HBO's CFO, Manuelo D'Angelo who has been working on the financial
statements for business revenues and expenditures.
FiberNet Advisory Board Minutes —July 12, 2011
• Cash Flow update — Manuelo showed a summary statement based on city's
financials. Jerry Olson suggested that business plan be updated to reflect changes
in projections from the original plan.
• Update on past due accounts — Ben noted that 8 accounts for May and 6 accounts
for June were turned over to collections. Ben explained the process for customers
to catch up on past due amounts. May want to look at a deposit requirement for
the future along with credit checks.
• Residential installation status — Ben noted that weekly progress goals are set. Ben
noted they will probably need to replenish ONT supplies in about 2 months. Glen
Posusta asked how much longer the City will need MP Nexlevel for construction.
Ben explained that as long as there are customers to hook up, FNM would use MP
services; they are coining in once a week right now. Ben noted the advantages to
using MP rather than FNM doing this type of work. Discussed process for
bringing fiber into new developments for the future.
• Commercial installation status — Brett Demarais has been working on commercial
sales and has also been covering residential sales. Looking at focusing on installs
in other apartment buildings; would do installs without rewiring the buildings.
Ben talked about some of the product testing that they are doing to take advantage
of equipment that can provide service to apartments, to Kjellberg's Park, and
possibly other areas.
• Personnel update — 1 employee was let go recently; posting open for a residential
sales assistant with emphasis on key times.
• Budget Development Report — Ben noted that they are working on 6 month actual
revenues and expenditures which will be used to develop an 18 month budget. He
will be incorporating capital expense projections into the budget for some of the
proposed projects.
6. Outreach
• League of MN Cities Policy Development Efforts (no news)
• Request for Monticello to host Governor Dayton (no news)
7. Project Reports
• Apartment Units — implementation progress (see above)
• Eligible Telecommunication Carrier Update — State shutdown places application
on hold.
• Telephone cut -over City Offices update — City Hall and PW complete; MCC to be
implemented July 21. Water department monitoring lines (about 20) will be
updated once the fiber is dropped to those sites.
• Pre -Budget Workshop — preliminary draft list of "Mandatory" and "Optional"
projects for FiberNet in 2012 — departmental budget meetings with Council
scheduled to be held on Aug 8 and 22
21 FiberNet Advisory Board Minutes — July 12, 2011
HBC/FNM Operations Agreement — Set dates in early August for meeting with
HBC
8. Added Items
o 2 items to add to Council agenda for July 25: purchase a router for the 2nd data
connection and Minerva whole home DVR service which can be marketed to
customers.
DENNIS SULLIVAN MOVED TO RECOMMEND THAT CITY COUNCIL
APPROVE THE PURCHASE OF A REDUNDANCY ROUTER AND
MINERVA WHOLE HOME DVR SERVICE EQUIPMENT FOR ENHANCED
CUSTOMER SERVICE. GLEN POSUSTA SECONDED THE MOTION.
MOTION CARRIED 3-0. (Wayne Mayer left early.)
o Need to schedule meeting to talk about agreement with HBC.
9. Adjourn
DENNIS SULLIVAN MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 8:15 P.M. GLEN
POSUSTA SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED 3-0.
Recorder: Catherine M. Shuman
Approved: August 9, 2011
Attest: -
Ci d inistrator
3] FiberNet Advisory Board Minutes —July 12, 2011