FiberNet Advisory Board Minutes 06-14-2016MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING — FIBERNET MONTICELLO ADVISORY BOARD
Tuesday, June 1411, 2016
Boom Island Room, Monticello Community Center
Present: Brian Stumpf (left at 7pm), Charlotte Gabler, Jon Morphew, Dennis Sullivan
Others: Jeff O'Neill, Rachel Leonard, Bryan Rabe, Wayne Oberg, Mark Birkholz, Lynne
Dahl- Fleming
Absent: Jacob Kramer
1. Call to Order
Brian Stumpf called the meeting to order at 6:30 PM.
2. Additions to Agenda
None
3. Approval of May 2016 Meeting Minutes
CHARLOTTE GABLER MOVED TO APPROVE THE MAY 10TH, 2016 REGULAR
MEETING MINUTES. DENNIS SULLIVAN SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION
CARRIED 4 -0.
4. Network Update
• Bryan Rabe reported peak network usage and the number of new GigaCenter ONTs in
the field.
• Bryan Rabe reported FiberNet continues to have trouble with set -top boxes after power
outages. The fix is relatively simple to execute, but it requires a call into tech support.
Staff is working with Calix on a better solution.
• Jeff O'Neill asked if there were any recent hack attempts. Bryan Rabe replied the Calix
software continues to help thwart any attempts. Lately there have been reports of
malicious IP attacks, whether intentional or due to viruses on customer computers.
FiberNet responds to those reports per the instructions of our regulatory consultant.
5. Business Office Update
• Rachel Leonard provided the latest subscriber data.
• Rachel Leonard reported maintenance staff found an indication of water encroachment
and other environmental concerns in the suite across the hall from the FiberNet office.
The City contacted the League of MN Cities to evaluate the building and determine what
needs to be done. Until the evaluation is complete, office staff have been temporarily
moved into City Hall. There are signs on the doors directing customers to the temporary
location. FiberNet continues to have walk -in hours each day.
• Rachel Leonard requested board input on a customer credit. The customer's property
was wired so FiberNet service could be provided in the future. The cost was $69.95 per
line, and a total of 6 lines were installed. The charges were listed on a form signed by the
customer as $69.95 x 6 for 6 lines installed instead of the estimated total cost. Customer
claimed he didn't understand how he would be charged and thought it would be one
charge of $69.95. Since there was potential for misunderstanding, staff believed a
courtesy credit would be appropriate but asked the board to determine the proper
FiberNet Advisory Board Minutes: 06/14/16
amount. Discussion among the board varied from no credit necessary to half of the total
cost. Charlotte Gabler presented the idea of providing credit for two of the 6 lines.
DENNIS SULLIVAN MOVED TO PROVIDE A CREDIT FOR THE COST OF 2
LINES (69.95 x 2). CHARLOTTE GABLER SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION
CARRIED 3 -1. JON MORPHEW VOTED IN OPPOSITION BECAUSE HE
BELIEVED FIBERNET SHOULD NOT OFFER A CREDIT.
6. Financial Update
• Wayne Oberg provided the financial reports ending 5/31/2016. He reported
administrative costs and revenues are relatively static; this is a positive trend. Field costs
are less static because there are more annual fees due at varying times of the year.
• Mr. Oberg reported that a previous $9,000 invoice included on the last financial update
does not need to be paid. Staff questioned CSI about the invoice and determined the fee
was included in the annual maintenance fee already paid for 2016.
• Finally, Mr. Oberg noted an annual maintenance fee for MetaSwitch was received in
May. It had been sent to an incorrect email address earlier in 2016. The contact
information has been updated and the invoice has been paid.
7. Management Update
• Jeff O'Neill reported that at a special City Council meeting on May 26th, the Council
unanimously voted to enter into negotiations with Arvig for a management services
agreement. He explained that both CTC and Arvig were highly disciplined, excellent
companies, but the Council appeared to feel more comfortable with the Arvig business
model. Mr. O'Neill introduced Mark Birkholz from Arvig.
• Mark Birkholz gave background on Arvig and their plans for FiberNet. He emphasized
the importance of showing this is still a city entity and here for the community.
• Charlotte Gabler asked about potential changes to the governance model, particularly the
role of the advisory board. Mr. Birkholz said Arvig will give quarterly reports, and they
are happy to give them directly to Council or a board the Council designates. Rachel
Leonard commented that ultimately who gets the report will be up to the Council in a
future decision. Lynne Dahl- Fleming asked about future transparency of FiberNet. Jeff
O'Neill explained that all FiberNet documents will still be public and available upon
request. Rachel Leonard stated more people may have access to the infonnation if given
to the Council because it's a larger audience.
• Dennis Sullivan addressed Mr. Birkholz to say Arvig may still want a citizen board to be
a liaison to the community. It could become more like a focus group.
• Charlotte Gabler commented she would like to continue to see monthly financial reports
so she can be informed, particularly when speaking to citizens.
8. IRET Update
• Jeff O'Neill reported the City Council approved an 8 year agreement with IRET. Lynne
Dahl- Fleming asked about the exclusivity of the agreement; O'Neill explained FiberNet
will receive exclusive marketing rights within the complex.
FiberNet Advisory Board Minutes: 06/14/16
9. Next Meeting
The next meeting of the FiberNet Advisory Board is scheduled for July 12, 2016 at 6:30pm
in the Boom Island Room at the Monticello Community Center.
10. Adjournment
CHARLOTTE GABLER MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. DENNIS SULLIVAN
SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED 3 -0 AND MEETING ADJOURNED
AT 7:40 PM.
Recorder: Rachel Leonard
Approved: August 16, 2016
Attest:
Jeff eill, City Administrator
3