HomeMy WebLinkAboutTelecommunications Board - Minutes - 07/06/20010 0
TELECOMMUNICATIONS BOARD
MEETING MINUTES
****July 6, 2001 ****
*** 6:00 PM ***
Council Liaison: Kurt Kastein Staff Liaison: Liz Stroh
Chairperson: Greg Smith Phone: 686-4755 (W)
Members Present: Tom Maher, Larry Bontempo, Bill Murray, Greg Smith, Curt
Cramer, Tim Tillson
Members Absent: Braun Mincher
City Staff Present: Gary Gordier, Liz Stroh, Eric Dahlgren
Guests: Kurt Kastein
Chair Greg Smith called the meeting to order at 6:05 PM
Approval of Minutes:
Tom Maher moved to approve minutes as submitted, seconded by Curt Cramer. The
motion passed unanimously.
Discussion with Board Liaison
Greg Smith started the discussion with Council member Kastein by asking if the
communication between the Board and the Council Liaison was satisfactory. Council
member Kastein responded that he has experienced no problems in this area and
encouraged the Board to also communicate with him via memo or e-mail at any time.
He reported that, at the present time, Council has no pressing issues related to
telecommunications.
Greg also mentioned that the Board had discussed the potential for expanding the
scope of involvement. Curt Cramer explained that because of the convergence of
technologies, very often voice, data and video are tied together over the same
1
07/30/01
0
infrastructure. Greg cited a recent discussion between Gary Gordier, IT Director and
the Board regarding a budget proposal for funding to activate the City's dark fiber. The
discussion included data, voice and video needs. There was general agreement that
there is significant overlap between computer hardware and the networks. Curt Kramer
suggested that looking at both systems and network as one entity was a trend in
industry, and the City would benefit from this type of approach.
Tim Tillson suggested inclusion of boadband technologies would adequately define the
desired level of involvement. Bill Murray mentioned that expanding scope to include
more regional aspects would also benefit the community and the City.
Kurt suggested that a new charter be drafted, and that additional information be
included that would explain how the expanded role would be helpful to City Council.
Kurt would then discuss the proposal with other City Council members.
Larry reaffirmed that the intent was not to be involved with operational plans and issues;
and other members agreed this would not be an appropriate role for the Board.
Gary felt input from the Board on various topics has been helpful, and believed it would
be helpful for the Board to look at the broader context of technology as well as regional
issues related to networks, telecommunications, etc. An example of the previous
month's discussion about the task force looking at a change in local calling area was
cited as evidence that more and more regional issues are being discussed at meetings.
Larry pointed out that "quality of service" discussions are an important role for the
Board in meetings with service providers. He pointed to recent concerns with @Home
service.
Greg summarized the discussion and told Kurt Kastein that the Board would begin
looking at the charter and determine the areas in which it might expand. He also that
reassured Kurt that if this change was approved, that the Board's work plan would still
contain existing items, and that new items would be added that related to new
responsibilities.
Council member Kastein thanked the Board for looking for ways to expand their service
to the Council and the City.
DSL Deployment.
Greg explained to Council member Kastein that Qwest had met with the Board, and
shared their plans to expand Digital Service Line (DSL) in Fort Collins. The Board is
very much in favor to this effort. Tom Maher explained the difference between DSL and
Cable modem — that Cable Modem has more potential for performance degradation
than DSL because of how it is engineered. Board members explained that there was
initially some delay in beginning the DSL deployment because of the size and color of
the equipment boxes being installed on the utility easements. Liz reported that the
Engineering Department and Qwest had successfully resolved various issues and that
z
07/30/01
11
deployment was moving forward.
Other Business
Liz reported that she had been informed by Margaret LeJuste of AT&T Broadband that
they were discontinuing their local news spot that is televised on CNN at the top of the
hour. Tim suggested that the City might consider paying them to continue in order to
maintain the local news source. Tom Maher mentioned he would talk to the Campus
TV people to see if they could provide a similar program.
Tom asked about reserving the 6 minute slot. Liz will contact AT&T. Tim suggested
that the community radio group could possibly be involved in some solution.
Eric Dahlgren reported that ICG was continuing to lease fiber from PRPA.
Tom moved to adjourn. Larry seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:20 PM.
3
07/30/O1