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FiberNet Advisory Board Minutes 12-02-2013MINUTES FIBERNET MONTICELLO ADVISORY BOARD MEETING Tuesday, February 12, 2013 — 6 p.m. 2 °d Floor Conference Room, Prairie Center Building Present: Clint Herbst, Glen Posusta, Jon Morphew, Wayne Mayer, Dennis Sullivan Absent: None Non - voting: Jeff O'Neill, Brett DeMarais, Mark Pultusker 1. Call to Order Clint Herbst called the meeting to order at 6 p.m. 2. Additions to Agenda • Letter from resident (Newcombe) — Mark Pultusker brought this up; wondered if a reply should be drafted. He commented on the issue of educating on inquiries like this so they understand why competitors are undercutting FiberNet Monticello. Mark Pultusker feels the new TDS promotion is designed more to attract Charter customers. 3. Approval of Meeting Minutes — January 15, 2012 DENNIS SULLIVAN MOVED TO ACCEPT THE JANUARY 15, 2012 MEETING MINUTES AS PRESENT. JON MORPHEW SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED 5 -0. 4. System updates a. Bond Restructuring Efforts and Status Report There is threatened litigation so an update cannot be provided at this time. One of the bondholders present at the meeting questioned whether there was any information that could be disclosed. Clint Herbst explained that there is possible litigation and cannot release data at this time regarding the bonds. b. System Upgrades — Equipment purchase approved by City Council City Council approved a request in the amount of $210,000 for equipment purchases to provide redundancy and backup to systems, test equipment and software for troubleshooting problems, additional equipment to improve video products (VOD, middleware software, more channels, interaction with other IT products, advertising splicer). Glen Posusta asked about potential revenue stream from advertising with local businesses. Mark Pultusker said that there would probably be 30 to 40 ad spaces available each week. He would anticipate charging $100 -$125 per month at a minimum. He would also try to bundle advertising with other services. The equipment cost gets the ads on 12 channels. Jon Morphew asked how those commercials would be produced; would FiberNet FiberNet Advisory Board Minutes — February 12, 2013 Monticello contract with someone to provide that service. Mark Pultusker stated that he would like to build a studio to tape the ads; the cost of creating the ads would be borne by the customer. FiberNet Monticello most likely would work with an outside vendor for the ad creation. Wayne Mayer asked if the test equipment is upgrading existing equipment or is this something that is being added and should have been in place all along. Mark Pultusker replied that this is equipment that should have been purchased right away with the initial system. Mark Pultusker brought in his own test equipment which has been in use for the past 6 months. Mark Pultusker also noted that he is in the process of redesigning the alignment of the satellite dishes to better accommodate the signals. Wayne Mayer added a comment that he feels that this should be looked at further as he knows there were funds allocated for the test equipment, which should have been purchased up front. Mark Pultusker suggested that this be noted but it will take some time since they are still working with HBC to obtain information that needs to be transferred to FiberNet Monticello. C. Billing system Mark Pultusker stated that the last billing that went out in February was on the HBC system. The same billing is being created on the new system and will be audited against the HBC system. If everything looks good, the new billing system will be in place starting with March bills. The new system will provide details on an electronic basis in addition to the paper bill, will provide interactive work orders to FiberNet Monticello techs, allows for automated payments, allows for instant changes to system, can prorate new services, and can generate reports. Mark Pultusker is contemplating replacing cell phones for techs so they can access system work orders via their phones over the internet. Billings will be generated out of the FiberNet Monticello offices. d. Marketing and PR — May or June Mark Pultusker explained that he has not implemented any marketing up to this point. This is due to the many changes that have taken place in resources, equipment, and software as well as service offerings. He is working on developing a marketing plan to start up around June. However, he is working on some smaller PR pieces that will go out to the public in the near future. Mark Pultusker stated that he wants to emphasize the advantages that FiberNet can offer in terms of video offerings and bandwidth capability. Wayne Mayer asked about problems that Mark Pultusker had reported with bandwidth when a large number of users were on the system. Mark Pultusker said that will be resolved with the new upgrade that will be made to the system in about 30 days. The new system will allow more bandwidth per group of users. 5. Product and Service Development Update FiberNet Advisory Board Minutes — February 12, 2013 a. Co- location — Data Center - VZ and marketing tower to others Mark Pultusker reported that Verizon has notified FiberNet Monticello that they would not be able to use the data center because it is too far from the water tower. Mark Pultusker is looking into the possibility of building a tower immediately adjacent to the data center. He is looking into the possibility of some kind of agreement with the builder of the tower serving as the lease agent and paying rent to the City for the use of land under the tower. This would be in addition to fees paid for use of the data center. The placement of the tower would be at the end of the head end building near the satellite dishes. Mark Pultusker would like staff to look into zoning rules on towers. b. IT services — Virtual Ethernet — back -up CLOUD services Mark Pultusker said he is looking at eventually being able to provide offsite backup services for local and outside companies. C. Wi Fi to city locations — Ex. parks, downtown, etc. No report. d. FTTH Communications Services Mark Pultusker reported that this company put in some fiber in Albertville. He is doing some testing now and looking at possibly working with this company to deliver video services to other sites. FiberNet Monticello may have an opportunity to expand services to apartments in other locations through the help of this company. If this test process works out, Mark Pultusker would like to put sales in place by June. e. Annandale /Maple Lake Annandale City Administrator Kelly Hinnenkamp approached FiberNet to discuss potential for providing broadband to their businesses, but would not include video services. Mark Pultusker suggested that they invest economic development dollars to set up a radio microwave signal to send wireless internet to them. Annandale could realize revenue from the system to help pay back their costs, but they would have to take the risk to start with. No video would be provided as there would be no fiber involved. Clint Herbst asked what the timeframe is for looking at servicing Annandale. Mark Pultusker is considering asking them to utilize a third party to analyze the design and make sure it will work. f. MDU Development Concept — Third Party Sales (see 5.d.) 6. Update on New Channels Mark Pultusker is working on adding a number of new channels that subscribers have been requesting. 7. Maintenance and Upgrade Status FiberNet Advisory Board Minutes — February 12, 2013 a. Minerva - middleware Mark Pultusker noted this will take some time to put this upgrade in place. It requires major changes to the existing system which will create some down time. b. VOD - adding subscription service like Bravo and HBO Mark Pultusker is looking into offering these promotions but not until after he changes the pricing. 8. Next Meeting — March 12, 2013 9. Other 10. Adjourn DENNIS SULLIVAN MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 7:29 P.M. GLEN POSUSTA SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED 5 -0. Recorder: Catherine M. Shuman Approved: April 9, 2013 Attest: Cit istrator FiberNet Advisory Board Minutes — February 12, 2013