FiberNet Advisory Board Minutes 03-15-2016MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING — FIBERNET MONTICELLO ADVISORY BOARD
Tuesday, March 15th, 2016
Boom Island Room, Monticello Community Center
Present: Brian Stumpf, Charlotte Gabler, Jon Morphew, Jacob Kramer, Dennis Sullivan
Others: Jeff O'Neill, Rachel Leonard, Bryan Rabe, Wayne Oberg, Tim Hennagir
1. Call to Order
Brian Stumpf called the meeting to order at 6:30 PM.
2. Additions to Agenda
Update on the IRET apartment building project.
3. Approval of February 2016 Meeting Minutes
JON MORPHEW MOVED TO APPROVE THE FEBRUARY 9TH, 2015 REGULAR
MEETING MINUTES. CHARLOTTE GABLER SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION
CARRIED 5 -0.
4. Network Update
• Bryan Rabe reported he worked with Calix to find a solution to the bug experienced by
some TV subscribers after the power outage. They think it's fixed, but they won't know
for sure until there is another power outage.
• Brian Stumpf asked about the FNM techs helping the Water Department. Wayne Oberg
and Bryan Rabe responded they are working with Matt Theisen to have a technician help
install the radio readers on the water meters.
• Charlotte Gabler asked about the time since the last major outage. Bryan Rabe reported
it has been more than 6 months. He reiterated FiberNet does not guarantee up -time, but
the system has been stable.
5. Business Office Update
• Rachel Leonard provided the latest subscriber data and requested to speak about two
topics associated with the latest numbers.
• Leonard noted a decrease in the number of business customers related to the recently
added charges for long distance telephone service. She offered the idea of a promo to
business subscribers only.
BRIAN STUMPF MADE A MOTION TO PROVIDE 30 MINUTES OF FREE LONG
DISTANCE FOR BUSINESSES EACH MONTH. JON MORPHEW SECONDED THE
MOTION. MOTION PASSED 5 -0.
• Rachel Leonard noted funds in the budget allocated for marketing expenses. She
reviewed the use of the funds in 2015 and put forth an alternative plan for 2016.
DENNIS SULLIVAN MADE A MOTION FOR THE NEW DISUTRIBUTION OF
MARKETING FUNDS. JACOB KRAMER SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION
PASSED 5 -0.
• Charlotte Gabler asked about the number of potential customers turned away during the
winter because temp drops are not possible. Rachel Leonard reported it's a small number
FiberNet Advisory Board Minutes: 03/15/16
of homes that cannot get service in the winter; the office keeps a list of residents and
calls them in the spring. Most sign -up then.
• Dennis Sullivan asked about the number of people who turn down service because of the
new equipment cost. Rachel Leonard reported there are some who do, but others don't
have a problem with it. It is difficult to judge during this slower period of the year. Staff
will track this spring and revisit the issue of the fee with the board as needed.
6. Financial Update
• Wayne Oberg provided the financial reports ending 2/29/16. Oberg noted he's still
working with the format to provide the information as clearly as possible. Dennis
Sullivan asked if the bond payments are included in these financials; Oberg explained
those payments are not in the FiberNet budget. They are part of the city's levy.
7. Management Update
• Jeff O'Neill informed the board staff continues to answer questions and provide data to
CTC and Arvig. Meetings to review the proposals of each company are scheduled for the
end of March. Tim Hennagir asked if those meetings will be open to the public. O'Neill
answered that at this time it's anticipated they will be closed. However, both proposals
will be presented to City Council for a selection at an open meeting.
8. IRET Update
• Jeff O'Neill updated the board in the continued work with IRET for FiberNet to provide
service to the new apartments in Monticello. O'Neill noted CTC continues to assist with
the project and city staff is waiting on a final agreement from IRET. Tim Hennagir asked
about the use of CTC since they are up for the management services contract. O'Neill
explained the advisory board authorized their assistance with this project before third
party management was an option. He also noted Arvig has been informed and updated
on the details of the project to prevent an unfair advantage. Wayne Oberg requested
estimates on the cost of the equipment for the project and Charlotte Gabler asked about
the potential danger for unexpected costs. Jeff O'Neill reiterated the city has not
committed to anything yet.
9. Next Meeting
The next meeting of the FiberNet Advisory Board is scheduled for April 12, 2016 at 6:30pm
in the Boom Island Room at the Monticello Community Center.
10. Adi ournment
DENNIS SULLIVAN MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. JACOB KRAMER
SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED 5 -0 AND MEETING ADJOURNED
AT 7:26PM.
Recorder: Rachel Leonard
Approved: 5
.e� P
Attest:
Jeff O'NeA, Administrator