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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/05/2006 . . � • Telecommunications Advisory Committee City of Apple Valley June 5, 2006 7:00 P.M. Municipal Center Minutes 1. Call to Order Chair David Westbrook called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Members Present: Rollin Bible, Jerry Brown, John Magnusson, Dale Rodell, David Westbrook Members Absent: Scott Hugsta.d-Vaa Others Present: Charles Grawe, Mark Moore, Denis LaComb, Todd Oliver, Al Kettlecamp, Mary Hama.nn-Roland 2. Approval of A�enda Mr. Westbrook asked for changes to the agenda and there were none offered. MOTION: Mr. Rodell moved, second by Mr. Brown, to approve the agenda as presented. Motion passed unanimously. 3. A�proval Minutes of March 6, 2006 MOTION: Mr. Brown moved, second by Mr. Bible, to approve the minutes of March 6, 2006. Motion passed unanimously. 4. Update on Audit Review with the Cities of Lakeville, Farmington, and Rosemount Mr. Grawe said Charter has offered the Cities a substantially similar offer as was offered to Lakeville. Mr. Westbrook asked how the costs of the audit compare to the settlement. Mr. Moore said the costs of the audit exceed the settlement amount, but noted that the process of conducting an audit serves an important fiduciary function regardless of the outcome of the audit. 5. Set Possible Dates for Meeting with Citv Council on Frontier Communications Initiatives Mr. Grawe said that Frontier Communications would like to make a presentation to the City regarding some of its upcoming initiatives. Mr. Grawe asked for possible dates � • � when the Committee could meet with the City Council for the presentation. He suggested Monday, June 26�' and Thursday, June 22 as possible dates. 6. Review 2005 Annual Re�ort Mr. Grawe briefly highlighted some of the accomplishments in 2005. He briefly provided a verbal update on the Public Access Channel's report and noted that the written copy had not been received prior to the meeting. He asked that the Committee approve the report with the understanding that the Public Access portion would be attached if it was substantially similar to the verbal report. MOTION: Mr. Magnusson moved, second by Mr. Brown, to approve the report and forward it to the City Council for receipt, including the written Public Access portion if it is substantially similar to the verbal report that was given. Motion passed unanimously. 7 2" Quarter Complaint Log There were three complaints, including one that involved a restoration that was not completed in a timely manner so the homeowner did the restoration themselves. Mr. Moore has expressed the City's concern and displeasure to Charter that the restoration was not completed in a timely manner. Mr. Bible expressed his disappointment that Charter was not represented at the meeting and that the restoration was not resolved to the resident's or City's satisfaction. 8 2 Qua.rter Coordinator's Report Mr. Moore briefly reviewed the report. One of the issues involved pending federal legislation to rewrite many of the laws governing cable franchises. Mr. Moore noted how some of the portions of the draft legislation would negatively impact the City's ability to manage the right-of-way and ensure equitable service to the entire city. Mr. Bible asked if the City had communicated with is legislators on the issue. Mr. Grawe said a draft letter was prepared. MOTION: Mr. Bible moved, second by Mr. Magnusson, that pending review of the letter by the Committee members, if no objections to the letter were raised, the Committee would recommend the City Council authorize the Mayor to send it to the Minnesota legislators on behalf of the City. Motion passed unanimously. 9. E-Commerce and Business Development Issues Mr. Grawe noted there were several new wireless articles distributed with the packet. � � � 10. Joint Meeting with City Council At 7:40 p.m., Ruth Grendahl, John Bergman, Tom Lawell, Pam Gackstetter, and Nathan Bang joined the meeting. Mr. Westbrook noted that the City's new fiber optic network could be used as a means to support an internal phone network using Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). Mr. Bible asked for the status of the fiber project. Mr. Bang said the physical connections have been completed and testing is underway. The City's consultant will review the tests in July before the network is ready for use. Mr. Bible asked if the fiber network is intended only for govemment use. Mr. Bang confirmed the network is intended only for government use. Mr. Bible asked if there would be any reason not to move forward with a VoII' solution for the City's phone network. Mr. Bang said the fiber network was designed to handle voice, video, and data. Mr. Bible said he believes the cost savings to a VoIP solution justify implementing that technology. Mr. Grawe explained the City currently has a leased phone system through Frontier Communications. The lease will expire in October. The City needs to decide if it wants to renew the lease or explore other options. If the City chooses to renew, it must also consider the appropriate term of a new lease. Ms. Hamann-Roland asked what funding is available. Mr. Lawell said funding is available in the capital buildings fund. At 7:53 p.m., Bob Erickson also joined the meeting. Mr. Bible asked if the 911 system would be impacted by a VoIP system. Mr. Bang said the 911 system would remain separate and would use the existing technologies. Mr. Bible noted that the City's new fiber network could be used for a variety of internal services, but it is a different question as to whether the City should become a telecommunications provider. He noted that a number of residents have been asking about the feasibility of provide a wireless Wi-Fi service. � Ms. Grendahl asked how Frontier is planning to meet the community's needs for the future. Mr. Oliver said new innovations in technology are increasing the capacity of fiber optics, copper, and wireless infrastructures. Mr. Erickson asked what options exist that make use of VoIP. Mr. Oliver said he would try to have information to the City prior to the next meeting. Ms. Hamann-Roland noted that the City is currently developing a strategic plan and telecommunications is an important part of that plan for attracting businesses. She asked what infrastructure capacity would be appropriate for businesses. Mr. Lawell suggested that the needs of a resident are probably much less than a business. Mr. Bible suggested that there are three different issues—the capacity needed for internal government services, the capacity needed to provide services to residential customers, and the capacity needed to provide services to high-demand businesses. Mr. Erickson said a fiber-to-the-home solution would best meet all of these needs. Mr. Bible suggested that the City might need to hire a consultant with national experience to help identify the best way to meet the community's telecommunications needs. Mr. Bang noted that such a � � study would need to identify the City's objectives. Mr. Bible also noted that if the needs are being met by the private sector, there would not be a reason for the City to provide those services. Mr. Oliver noted there is a sixty notification for non-renewal of the current contract. He said that the current rates could be extended past the expiration of the contract while the City studies the issue. Ms. Grendahl requested this offer in writing. Mr. Oliver said he would send a written statement. The group agreed to meet on June 22 to listen to the Frontier presentation on future telecommunications initiatives. 11. Adj ourn MOTION: Mr. Bible moved, second by Mr. Brown to adjourn the meeting. Motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 8:40 p.m.