FiberNet Advisory Board Minutes 08-09-2011MINUTES
FIBERNET MONTICELLO ADVISORY BOARD MEETING
Tuesday, August 9, 2011— 6 p.m.
FiberNet Customer Service Office
Present: Clint Herbst, Glen Posusta, Jon Morphew, Dennis Sullivan, Wayne Mayer
Absent: None
Others: Jeff O'Neill, Ben Ranft, Jerry Olson, Brett Demarais, Michele Hertwig, Lynn
Dahl - Fleming, Ryan Parnell
1. Call to Order
Chair Clint Herbst called the meeting to order at 6 p.m.
2. Additions to Agenda
• Meet & Greet (under Personnel Update)
3. Consideration of Approval of Meeting Minutes — July 12, 2011
GLEN POSUSTA MOVED TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES FROM THE JULY 12, 2011
MEETING. DENNIS SULLIVAN SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED
4 -0. (Wayne Mayer arrived after this.)
4. Marketing Report (Michele Hertwig)
• Marketing update — working on advertising banners that can be used in various places
around town
• Website update — buttons were changed to separate Email and Bill Pay; working on
online customer handbook. Jeff O'Neill noted that he has not been receiving any
comments from website; Brett will follow up to get Jeff O'Neill included
5. Operations /Financial Report — General Manager
• Update on past due accounts — these will be turned over if not collected by 90 days
(service actually gets turned off after 60 days). Glen Posusta asked how the
collection calls are done from the office; Ben Ranft explained that the office staff is
trained using a script to collect past due and /or make payment arrangements.
• Residential installations — Ben Ranft reported on new customers. Jeff O'Neill
discussed process for reaching new customers that move into town. Dennis Sullivan
asked about how referrals are made when customers contact City Hall and Jeff
O'Neill explained that staff has a script they use. Ben Ranft noted that they have
continuously received requests for service as they put in drops.
• Commercial installations - Brett Demarais reviewed several upcoming business
installs. Brett Demarais is working with corporate type of businesses, but it does take
a lot of time to make progress.
• Personnel update - Ryan Parnell hired as a sales assistant. Ben Ranft introduced Ryan
and he talked about himself and past experience. He likes working with this type of
FiberNet Advisory Board Minutes — August 9, 2011
technology and has been a FiberNet customer since the beginning. Wayne Mayer
asked about his concentration, which will be residential.
• Budget Development Report — Jeff O'Neill is looking for several volunteers to help
with the development of the budget; overall concept will present on August 22nd.
Wayne Mayer and Dennis Sullivan will help out.
6. Service to Kjellberg Mobile Home Park
Ben Ranft reported that an antenna will be set up on the water tower. This antenna would
service about 40 customers; customers will be expected to purchase a receiver unit for
their home, which could be financed through their billing.
7. Project Reports
• Apartment Units — implementation progress: equipment from Calix is on its way to be
used for apartment units to use existing wiring in apartment buildings. Individual
customers would purchase a modem and FiberNet would provide the connection and
service.
• Eligible Telecommunication Carrier Update — Jeff O'Neill explained that the
government shutdown stalled this at the PUC and the period for comments has been
extended twice. The FCC is in the process of reviewing this program; the intent of
the program is meant to deploy phone service, but many of the funds are being used
to deploy broadband.
• Clint Herbst commented that he would like to see the marketing items with pictures
of local people rather than canned pictures. Ben Ranft explained that future
promotions are planned to involve local residents.
• HBC /FiberNet Operations Agreement Update — Jeff O'Neill explained that they need
to start with a subcommittee to review the agreement. Jon Morphew and Wayne
Mayer volunteered. Following the subcommittee meeting, the information will be
brought back to the full Advisory Board.
8. Six Month Goal Review /Objectives — General Manager (See Attached)
Jeff O'Neill explained that the handout contains a number of objectives for General
Manager Ben Ranft, which were also reviewed by HBC. The list contains a number of
items that are already in process.
Dennis Sullivan suggested adding a measurement for quality of services to track for a six -
month review; develop quality measures to look at how service is delivered. An example
would be to look at areas where there have been problems and figure out measurements
for ensuring service is delivered in a desired manner.
Ben Ranft noted that he is now moved into his house in Klein Farms.
9. Other
• none
FiberNet Advisory Board Minutes — August 9, 2011
10. Adjourn
DENNIS SULLIVAN MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 7:40 P.M. JON
MORPHEW SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED 4 -0. (Clint Herbst left
at 7 p.m.)
Recorder: Catherine M. Shuman G"
Approved: September 13, 2011
Attest: i ✓�
Cat administrator
FiberNet Advisory Board Minutes —August 9, 2011