FiberNet Advisory Board Minutes 09-13-2011MINUTES
FIBERNET MONTICELLO ADVISORY BOARD MEETING
Tuesday, September 13, 2011— 6 p.m.
FiberNet Customer Service Office
Present: Clint Herbst, Glen Posusta, Jon Morphew
Absent: Dennis Sullivan, Wayne Mayer
Other: Jeff O'Neill, Ben Ranft (HBC), Michele Hertwig, Lynne Dahl Fleming, Paul
Ruffin
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order by Chair Clint Herbst at 6:04 p.m.
2. Additions to Agenda
• Introduction of Paul Ruffin, Monticello resident, Educator, CEO of ECI Networks
3. Consideration of Approval of Meeting Minutes — August 9, 2011
JON MORPHEW MOVED TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES OF THE AUGUST 9, 2011
FIBERNET ADVISORY BOARD MEETING AS PRESENTED. GLEN POSUSTA
SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED 3 -0.
4. Marketing Report (Michele Hertwig)
• Marketing update — Michele Hertwig provided copies of FiberNet logo samples
and talked about preferences such as keeping the full name "City of Monticello"
with the logo. Michele will work on a final version of the logo using suggestions
from those present Looked at some pictures that could be used in marketing,
which will be on banners to be hung in community center. Talked about new
billboard design possibilities; Michele will put together revised design based on
comments.
Jon Morphew asked about marketing efforts at trade shows or other type of
economic development events. Paul Ruffin noted that his business has been
working on promoting FNM in communities in other states. Jeff O'Neill noted
that he intends to have Megan Barnett get more involved with marketing for
FiberNet and understand the technology better to promote for economic
development. Paul Ruffin noted that Megan has been very helpful up to this time.
• Website update — Michele said that the website is up to date and she is looking for
more information to add to website. Clint Herbst noted that he will be
participating in providing commentary for the Monticello /Elk River football game
being taped by SWCC on September 23rd.
FiberNet Advisory Board Minutes — September 13, 2011
Consideration of establishing Marketing Subcommittee — Ben suggested that it
would be helpful to have a couple of Advisory Board members to help facilitate
marketing ideas. Clint Herbst explained that some of the frustration is the
slowness associated with some of the actions being undertaken by FiberNet.
Some discussion on efforts by Ryan Parnell to contact residents who have
received drops but not signed up for services; he is having pretty good success.
Jeff O'Neill asked Ben to explain the issues of trying to grow the business at the
same time as having to operate the business.
5. Operations /Financial Report — General Manager
• Update on past due accounts — there were a few delinquent customers for August.
Ben handed out sample letter that they are using to contact delinquent accounts.
• Residential installations (review strategies for keeping pace in cost efficient
manner) - Ben said he would like to talk to Personnel Committee about replacing
2 M &P contract employees with 2 temporary fulltime FNM employees; would
also need several used vehicles for use in the field for those employees.
JON MORPHEW MOVED TO APPROVE THE HIRING OF 2 TEMPORARY
FULLTIME EMPLOYEES IN PLACE OF M &P CONTRACTORS. GLEN
POSUSTA SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED 3 -0.
Commercial installations - Internet and Phone (Brett Demarais)
a) Brett is currently working with a number of businesses to be installed.
Ben noted that we had 11 business customers at the beginning of the
year and are now at 90 businesses. Clint Herbst noted that he has a
rental building and he would like to make sure it gets a drop for FNM.
b) Corporate - Talked about ideas for recruiting corporate businesses.
• Surveillance and Web Camera development (update on Council Action) — Ben
Ranft plans to work with local organizations to solicit donations for a camera at
Swan Park. Lynne Fleming is willing to talk to some of the downtown
businesses. Ben explained how the surveillance cameras would work and the plan
to utilize these on city properties.
• Budget Development Report — Ben noted they are still working on finalizing the
budget to include a revamped business plan.
• Update on City Council Budget Process — Jeff O'Neill talked about the process
that was used this year. Jeff had talked about the status of cash flow at the Sept
12 budget workshop and identified some of the issues following the TDS lawsuit.
• Summary of Meeting with Stonebridge Financial — working with them on cash
flow position and revisions to business plan. A meeting is scheduled for the near
future.
W 7:::::
FiberNet Advisory Board Minutes — September 13, 2011
2
6. Status Report /Discussion — Rollout strategy for MonticelloAir — Ben Ranft
Ben showed a presentation on Monticello Air product and how they would plan to roll it
out. FNM Air product would have several choices at 2 price levels with no contract.
Price of initial equipment could be added to bill over time. All installs would require a
site survey first; technicians would mount equipment and get it operating. Also discussed
providing wireless service within city for other uses.
7. Review plan for Modifying Business Office and Establishment of Conference
Capabilities
Ben noted that this will be an agenda item for Council to refurbish the work area at the
FiberNet Customer office and move the conference room upstairs. So far they have one
quote from a vendor that provides new office furniture. They are meeting with
Environmental Office Brokers (EOB) tomorrow to get quotes for used office furnishings.
8. Project Reports
• Apartment Units implementation progress — 2 apartments being converted to
FNM at this time.
• Eligible Telecommunication Carrier Update and Consideration of continuing
effort to gain ETC status — Jeff O'Neill explained the process of the application
and what it would mean for FiberNet. After contacting PUC, City found some
other ways that they could approach the application. A small group was formed
with city staff and legal experts to come up with a plan for proceeding with
application.
• HBC /FNM Operations Review Date — contract review is scheduled to be done
every 6 months; will need to be done prior to August 2012 when contract expires.
9. Six Month Goal Review /Objectives — General Manager
Ben noted that 50 new customers were brought on board last month after inquiring about
the $99 promotion.
10. Other (none)
11. Adjourn
GLEN POSUSTA MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 8:40 P.M. JON
MORPHEW SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED 3 -0.
Recorder: Catherine M. Shuman
Approved: October 11, 2011
Attest:
City" 1strator
e
FiberNet Advisory Board Minutes —September 13, 2011