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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTelecommunications Board - Minutes - 08/13/1996• TELECOMMUNICATIONS BOARD MEETING MINUTES August 13,1996 7:00 PM Council Liaison: Chris Kneeland Staff Liaison: Liz Stroh, Michael Gitter Chairperson: Lang Rowland Phone: 229-2280 (W) 226-2303 (H) Presiding Chair: Larry Rowland Phone: H Members Present: Barbara Hain, Howard Lowell, Tom Maher, Larry Rowland, Greg Smith, Phil Wadas Members Absent: Ernie Powell City Staff: Administrative Services: Pete Dallow Electric Utility: Eric Dahlgren ICS Department: Doug Fineman, Michael Gitter Library: Kim Crowley, Linda Saferite TCI Staff: Bob Carnahan, General Manager The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM REVIEW AND DISCUSSION OF CITY'S PROPOSED NEW CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS: Doug Fineman gave a presentation on information technology (IT) projects for consideration as part of the City's Capital Improvement Program (CIP). The presentation included an overview of the City's IT long range plans and projects, and proposed projects for the Board's consideration as part of the CIP. A total of 17 IT projects were compiled by the City Information Management Board (IMB). The IMB is composed of representatives from City departments and participates in City-wide IT planning and coordination. The projects mainly involve upgrades or replacement of existing systems and the estimated cost for the 1998 to 2004 period is $25.5M. An initial investigation showed that existing funding sources can cover about 70 percent of the costs, while 30 percent is 2 MIRTTIT[TA The Board was asked to consider two IT projects for the Capital Improvement Program: library technology and the City's data communications network. Staff is recommending these two projects because of their high importance, lack of funding, and because they will maintain and/or enhance existing service levels. Specifically, staff asked the Board for direction on the following: Are the proposed IT projects appropriate for the CIP program? Input on the importance or priority of the projects. Are there other IT projects we should include for consideration in the CIP? The first project considered was library technology. This project includes technology investments that are needed to keep up with customer demands for services, and to keep pace with rapidly evolving technologies. Greg and Phil asked if both one-time capital and ongoing costs are included in the CIP. Pete Dallow responded that both one-time capital costs and ongoing costs (such as staff) to support the capital items are being identified. Phil asked if library funding falls under the Tabor Amendment. Pete replied that yes it does since the library receives funding from general tax dollars. Larry commented that the slide presented does not show enough information for voters to make an informed decision. Tom agreed and suggested that the presentation should focus on the City's needs, work products, and benefits to library customers. Greg asked about how the City might use the surplus of $764,000 from Amendment One. Pete said the City will probably request that these funds be reauthorized for streets and parks development and facilities. Phil asked if there is a fall back position for the library project if it isn't included in the CIP. Pete indicated that the fall back is to pursue increasing the funding base for the library. Barbara asked how this project is related to the new library building plan. Linda Saferite stated that they chose not to bundle too much together in one project. Also, technology investments are needed regardless of where the library facilities are located. Linda stated that the library plans to build a reserve for funding future technology enhancements so they don't have to come back and request significant dollars every 5 or 6 years. The Board then discussed the data communications network project. This project entails upgrading the capacity and enhancing the reliability, security, and compatibility of the City's existing data communications network. The project needs are driven by increasing customer demands and levels of service for data communications, keeping pace with evolving • technologies, and insufficient technical staff. Phil suggested that staff not show the graphic on increased number of City buildings because it might send the wrong message to citizens (facilities too spread out). Tom questioned whether the City has really maxed out the 10 Mbps capacity of the existing backbone network. Doug indicated that the City needs to transmit new types of data over the network such as GIS that requires more capacity. BOARD ACTION: Larry stated that he felt he didn't have enough information in order to vote on the projects. Tom said he wasn't sure that a decision now is that "weighty" in the process and he would be ok with voting. Phil agreed. Phil made a motion that the library technology and data communications items be considered separately. The Board approved this unanimously. Phil made a motion that the Board recommend the library technology project be submitted to City Council for the Capital Improvement Program. Approved unanimously. Howard moved that the Board recommend the data communications network project be submitted to City Council for the Capital Improvement Program. Five voted in favor with one abstention. Tom made a motion for the Board to prioritize the projects in the following order: 1) Library technology, and 2) Data communications network. Approved unanimously. The Board considered the question of whether there are other IT projects that should be included for consideration in the CIP. Larry stated he would like the recommended projects to include public access. Public access computers should have full access to available information. Tom agreed and stated that the library should have a clearly delimited group of public access computers. ISM IRROGNM Finman gave the staff presentation on this item. With the exception of height standards, there is nothing in existing City regulations regarding zoning requirements for personal communication facilities. Finnman presented three options for the Board to consider. Option #1 provided for a moratorium on the installation of all new wireless telecommunication facilities until appropriate zoning and siting standards can be developed and implemented as part of City Plan, approximately eight months. Option #2 consisted of a stopgap measure ASAP to deal with new wireless telecommunications facilities until standards and guidelines can be implemented with City Plan. Option #3 called for the use of existing regulations until a complete set of zoning and 0 siting standards for wireless telecommunications facilities are implemented as part of City Plan. Staff recommended approval of Option #2. 1:167AMINUMl1IMM Larry and Howard recommended changing the wording of any potential draft ordinances from "personal communications services" to "wireless services," thereby making the definition broader. Larry suggested making any proposed zoning regulations streamlined so that proposed facilities that meet the zoning requirements are not postponed indefinitely by objections and appeals. Phil made a motion to recommend Option #2, providing for a stopgap ordinance. The motion passed unanimously. TCI UPDATE: Bob Carnahan distributed TCI's report for the first quarter of 1996. Bob reported that TCI is currently overwhelmed with requests for service from returning CSU students as well as the simultaneous introduction of several new cable services. Bob stated that TCI has not as yet received any complaints with regard to the imminent cable TV rate increase. TCI is also increasing its rates to commercial customers. Bob said that TCI has been unsuccessful thus far in organizing a tour of the company's technology lab in Denver for Board members. Larry thanked Bob for conducting a tour of TCI's Fort Collins facility for the Board. ELECTION OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS BOARD OFFICERS: Phil Wadas was elected Board Chairman; Larry Rowland was elected Vice -Chairman. ICS staff member Julie Evans presented a web page demonstration for Board members. By placing Board -related information on the web, such as agenda items, workplans, etc., information sharing may be more effectively accomplished for Board members and the public. Julie stated that the City Clerk's Office is currently working on a template for all City Boards and Commissions to use. Board members requested that the next agenda include assignment of a Board member who will be responsible for updating the web page. o NMI] There was no other business. The meeting was adjourned at 9:10 pm.