FiberNet Advisory Board Minutes 03-11-2014MINUTES
FIBERNET MONTICELLO ADVISORY BOARD MEETING
Tuesday, March 1111, 2014 — 6 p.m.
Boom Island Room, Monticello Community Center
Present: Clint Herbst, Jon Morphew, and Dennis Sullivan
Absent: Glen Posusta and Wayne Mayer
Others: Jeff O'Neill, Brian Estrem, Rachel Leonard
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order by Chair Clint Herbst at 6:00 p.m.
2. Additions to the Agenda
Nothing formally added to the agenda.
3. Approval of Minutes
Tabled to next meeting.
4. Management Update
• Since the previous meeting in January, former General Manager Mark Pultusker of FiberConnect
resigned his position. The City utilized Brian Estrem as interim General Manager with technical
assistance from Dan Olsen.
• The city is looking at options for long -term management. Despite the resignation, FiberConnect
indicated a desire to continue work with FiberNet. The interim team of Estrem and Olsen also
indicated an interest in continuing work with FiberNet. A City Council workshop was scheduled
for March 10, 2014 to hear presentations from the two management options.
• Jeff O'Neill provided a brief summary of the workshop held before the regular meeting on
March 10, 2014. Presentations were made by Mark Pultusker as well as Brian Estrem and Dan
Olsen. Due to time constraints, a formal selection for FiberNet management was not made.
Estrem will continue to function in his capacity as interim General Manager with input from
Olsen until a formal decision at the March 24, 2014 City Council meeting.
• Jeff O'Neill provided a spreadsheet to the board showing a cost breakdown between
management services by FiberConnect vs. management services from Estrem and Olsen.
• Discussion regarding the use of Estrem and Olsen as consultants rather than city employees.
Estrem stated he's happy to operate as a consultant until the city feels comfortable hiring him as
a regular employee. Jon Morphew asked if the city should be looking more widely for a
replacement manager. Clint Herbst responded the remainder of the year is a good trial period.
The City can evaluate the need for additional candidates at the end of the initial term in
December 2014.
• Discussion of the billing system. At the City Council meeting on March 10, 2014 the
councilmembers voted to authorize city staff to purchase a pared down version of the GLDS
software used by FiberConnect. Jeff O'Neill highlighted the anticipated savings from reducing
the features and anticipates finalizing that purchase this week. Dennis Sullivan commented he
thinks the GLDS bill is easy to read and works well.
• Discussion among the board and with Brian Estrem about the direction of FiberNet Monticello
services and offerings.
FiberNet Advisory Board Minutes — March 11, 2014 Page 1 I
5. Next Meeting
The next meeting was originally scheduled for May 13, 2014. Advisory board agreed by consensus to
begin meeting monthly again. Next meeting now scheduled for April 15, 2014.
6. Adjourn
DENNIS SULLIVAN MOVED TO ADJOURN. JON MORPHEW SECONDED THE MOTION.
MEETING ADJOURNED AT 7:10 PM.
Recorder: Rachel Leonard
- -r
Approved: i
Attest: /
Jeff eill, City Administrator
FiberNet Advisory Board Minutes — March 11, 2014 Page 2