HomeMy WebLinkAboutTelecommunications Board - Minutes - 02/19/2007TELECOMMUNICATIONS BOARD
MEETING MINUTES
February 19, 2007
6:00 PM
Council Liaison: David Roy
Staff Liaison: Liz Stroh, Communications and Technology Services; 221-6522
Board Chair: Curt Cramer
Vice Chair: Herb Saperstone
Present: Curt Cramer, Chip Cushman, David Heiberg, Wayne Wiemerslage
Absent: Robert Reischenberger, Herb Saperstone
Staff: Eric Dahlgren, Kraig Bader, Liz Stroh, Tom Vosburg
Guest: Kat Shackelford
Chair Curt Cramer called the meeting to order at 6: 00 PM.
Public Input:
None
Minutes:
Chip Cushman introduced a motion to approve minutes, seconded by David
Heiberg. Minutes were approved unanimously.
Election of officers
David Heiberg nominated Curt Cramer to continue as chair of the Board,
seconded by Chip and passed unanimously, with Curt Cramer abstaining
Chip Cushman nominated Herb Saperstone to continue as vice -chair, seconded
by David Heiburg and passed unanimously.
Update on Intern Project
Kat Shakelford briefed the Board on the status of the research project she's
working on. She's identified basic service plans and costs associated with those
plans from the various service providers. Curt indicated that the information on
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basic packages would be most useful to people who need help evaluating the
cost of services.
Kat will complete the project, and present the information at the Board meeting in
March.
The Board discussed ways to distribute the information. The Board would like to
post the information on the City's Web site, in the Telecommunication Board
area. At a minimum, the Board will send a memorandum to Council to provide
them with the information. Liz will investigate any City policies related to linking to
commercial sites or naming service providers on the City's web site.
Municipal WiFi
Tom Vosburg provided a refresher on the status of the City's intentions regarding
WiFi for Fort Collins. There is a wide spectrum of opportunity in how the City
might approach municipal wireless from the City being the "anchor tenant" for a
provider to a very arms length approach where the City allows pole attachment
for an agreed upon fee. There are also social and economic agendas in addition
to the technology interest, in addition to the policy debate about municipal
ownership and provision of service. Issues of regulation and monopoly must be
added to the mix as well. The City's WiFi team is still working on priorities,
determining municipal needs and identifying benefits the City might gain. CSU is
interested in working with the City.
Wayne suggested an RFI to precede an RFP, then negotiate with the top three.
Kraig Bader mentioned that there is only space for 2 or 3 providers to share
space on street lights. Curt emphasized that a strong analysis of the economics
is very important. Tom provided the Board with a handout (attached) that
outlined the next steps in the process.
Adjournment
David Heiberg moved to adjourn, seconded by Chip Cushman. The motion
passed unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 7:20 PM
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Board Chair Date
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Attachment
February 19, 2007
City of Fort Collins Telecommunication Board
Update on City Response to Wireless Service Providers
Proposals for City Wide Wi-FI Network
February 19, 2007
Current Status
• Have been approached by at least 4 vendors.
• Suggests a need for a competitive process.
Recommended Approach:
• Use a private service provider model, keep vendor at arms length. Minimize City
investment, risk.
• May be hard to achieve all public priorities via this model; may need to prioritize.
Identified City / Community Priorities:
Clear priorities:
• Support increased competition among broadband service providers:
o Complete ISP services
o Wholesale last -mile services.
• Promote Downtown by offering a level of free -to -the -user service there.
• Promote Downtown by improving "high capacity" data and telecommunications
service availability.
• Support CSU by providing better service options for CSU students and faculty.
Priorities being investigated:
• Obtain a level of free or discounted broadband services to support City
operations: Public Safety, Utility meter reading, service on transit vehicles,
support for other field staff, Wireless VoIP phones / cell phone replacement.
• Support other local government / institutional missions through special service
packages.
• General Fund revenue share / franchise fee.
Things we need to clarify:
• How much wireless service would the City expect to use in the near term?
• How much wireless service would Community Network partners want to use in
the near term?
• How many different SSIDs may need to be reserved for City / Community
Network partner use?
• What class of data services are not now readily available that Wi-Fi may be able
to address? (We know that it is hard to get fiber into buildings in Old Town, and
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