HomeMy WebLinkAboutTelecommunications Board - Minutes - 08/03/1999TELECOMMUNICATIONS BOARD
MEETING MINUTES
**** August 3, 1999 ****
*** 6:00 PM ***
Council Liaison: Kurt Kastein Staff Liaison: Liz Stroh
Members Present: Larry Bontempo, Howard Lowell, Tim Tillson, Greg Smith
Members Absent: Tom Maher, Braun Minchner
City Staff Present: Eric Dahlgren, Gary Gordier
Guests: Kathy Stewart, TCI Area Manager
Meeting Called to Order: Chair Greg Smith called the meeting to order at 6:01 PM.
Approval of Minutes: Greg suggested one change to last month's minutes — under "TCI
Update," move the following sentence up to the first paragraph in that section: "Kathy estimated
that about 5,000 homes in the city have illegal service."
Howard moved to accept the minutes as modified, Lary Bontempo seconded the motion.
Motion passed unanimously.
Community Networks: Eric explained the state-wide Multi -Use Network project and HB 99-
1102 which makes grant monies available to communities that aggregate network traffic among
public agencies. He explained that the Fort Collins fiber loop, built by Platte River Power
Authority and the City of Fort Collins Utilities, has provided the foundation for a community
network. A group of public agencies including Colorado State University, the City of Fort
Collins, Platte River Power, Poudre School District, Larimer County, Front Range Community
College, and various state agencies based in Fort Collins are working together to obtain funding
through HB 99-1102 to help build out the public agency network.
TCI Update:
1. TCI underwent a surprise audit by the FCC in July and passed with flying colors. No
measurable signal leaks were found in the system. The emergency alert system and various
records were also checked.
09/08/99
2. TCI's customer audit is proceeding with an estimated 6 of 50 homes found to be illegally
receiving service (10%-12%). This is slightly higher than was originally estimated. Kathy
distributed sample door tags that are being placed on the residence if the service is found to
be illegal. Service is then disconnected with a "no questions asked" offer for the occupant to
become a paying customer.
3. Equipment to support @Home services is being switched from 3Com to Cisco. As of
8/15/99 the company will switch from Sprint to AT&T POPs. TCI's head -end is in the
process of being rewired to accommodate these changes.
4. Construction of the fiber backbone is running slightly behind schedule due to the loss of the
construction manager. Fewer dig -ins are being reported. TCI is working with the City
Engineering Department on signage for the fiber — flush -mounted disks in the residential
areas and pole -type signs in other areas where their use is not restricted.
5. The T-1 line into the office was finally installed by US West. Kathy insisted that she also be
allowed to keep the five analog lines that they had been using. Kathy now has a direct line
(419-3101) as well as voice mail. As of 8/3/99 the phone operators will be answering the
phones with the "AT&T Digital Services" name.
City Survey of TCI Customers: Gary presented preliminary results of the survey that the city
conducted as part of TCI's five-year review. The entire audit is to be completed by late August.
He explained that the information would be compiled and put in a more complete and readable
fashion in the final report to City Council due sometime in mid -September. Larry suggested
dating the information and numbering the pages. Kathy suggested noting the number of
responses included in each section of the survey. Howard asked about the last section ("premium
services for 60+") where the data fields were blank.
Agenda Process Discussion: Gary suggested that it would be best for the Board to create their
own meeting agendas rather than have city staff do so. Greg stated that he and Liz have been
discussing this item. After further discussion, the group decided to send agenda items to Liz
with a copy to Greg and include an estimate of the time that will be required for that item in the
meeting. This process can be re-evaluated later if necessary.
Items for Next Meeting on 9/7/99:
1. How to best work with City Council and Kurt Kastein.
2. 5-year review and audit of TCI (status update).
Items for Future Board Meetings:
1. Service offerings from AT&T, bundling of service offerings.
2. Number portability issues.
3. Co -location issues.
4. Open access to AT&T facilities by other providers.
5. How to improve and enhance public access to information (a Council Policy Agenda item).
6. How to educate Council concerning telecom issues and AT&T/TCI issues.
Other: Greg mentioned that Kurt Kastein will try to attend more Telecom Board meetings but
that the Board's meeting date would have to change so that it does not conflict with City Council
meetings on Tuesday nights.
Meeting Adiourned: 7:17 PM
09/08/99