Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutEconomic Advisory Board - Minutes - 12/15/2021 ECONOMIC ADVISORY COMMISSION TYPE OF MEETING – REGULAR December 15, 2021 4:00 - 6:00 pm via Zoom 12/15/21 – MINUTES Page 1  1. CALL TO ORDER 4:01 pm. 2. ROLL CALL  List of Board Members Present  Renee Walkup  Braulio Rojas  John Parks  Ted Settle  George Grossman  Julie Stackhouse  Aric Light  List of Board Members Absent – Excused or Unexcused; if no contact with Chair has been made  List of Staff Members Present  Josh Birks, Director Economic Health and Redevelopment  Chad Crager - Executive Director of Connection  List of Guests - none 3. AGENDA REVIEW 4. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES a. Ted moved and George seconded a motion to approve the November minutes as presented. Motion approved unanimously 7-0-0 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 7. NEW BUSINESS a. Fort Collins Connexion Update - Chad Crager - Executive Director of Connection  Background  Broadband as a concept of being something that could be provided by U.S. AIR QUALITY ADVISORY BOARD TYPE OF MEETING – REGULAR 12/15/21 – MINUTES Page 2  cities to their citizens began in 2014.  In 2016 Fort Collins began a public/private partnership to prepare a feasibility study about brining broadband services to the City.  In 2017 voters approved funds to add telecommunication services to the Utility Charter and to fund a bond to build out the network by 57%.  The bond was authorized in 2018 and construction begin in 2019.  Progress  All design has been completed  66.5% of the proposed fiber area has been constructed throughout residential areas of the city, but not all has been lit up yet. So far there is a 31% pick up rate. Approvals from owners of multi-family properties still need to be finalized.  Construction should be completed by the end of 2022  Connexion's interactive website, and billing system is in place. A web support hub will be complete in mid-January.  Status  Connexion service will provide gigabit speeds to all residents and businesses within the boundaries of the City  Connexion is partnering with Larimer County and Loveland Pulse to provide high speed internet outside of the City limits.  There are some restrictions to get federal grants to expand beyond city limits, based on current internet speeds.  Discussion  Julie - Q - Why is there is a need to wait for grants that might not happen. Why not move on and pass along the costs? A - Unfortunately, the City does not have the funds to expand beyond City limits. There are some other funding opportunities, but it will take time to make those arrangements.  Ted - Q - You mentioned a 31% pick up rate. What do you expect in the future? A - We are slightly ahead of the original business plan estimate of 28% pick up rate for residential by end of 2022. We expect this to continue to improve as we continue our build out.  Renee - Q - Could the potential partnership with Loveland Pulse be a revenue generator for the City? A - Yes, but we are not sure what it will look like yet. It may be that Loveland will pay Fort Collins to build out and we would get the revenue. The goal of Connexion is to provide great service to the community, AIR QUALITY ADVISORY BOARD TYPE OF MEETING – REGULAR 12/15/21 – MINUTES Page 3  but we do need to create revenue to pay for it.  George - Q - What services beyond internet will there be for small businesses? A - Connexion offers internet, television, and phone services. Small businesses would most likely be most interested in internet and phone. We can also offer phone connection service between multiple business owners.  George Q - How will Connection help businesses' internal networks and internet marketing and outreach? A - Connexion will offer the same, and better, type of services to businesses that they have now on multiple channels.  John - Q - Can you briefly describe the construction process? A - There are four stages and four different crews: boring and installing conduit and a vault; pulling fiber optics through the conduit; connecting/splicing the fiber; and connecting to the home. The construction has to be done in a methodical way to ensure that Connexion does not over-promise to the community.  George - Q - If you do not own the property, do you need to get permission from the property owner? A - Yes. In 2022 Connexion will begin working with commercial and property owners to get permission to provide service to them.  Renee - Q - Why would a property owner be resistant to having Connexion? A - Certain properties have signed an exclusive agreement with Comcast and cannot sign up with Connexion until those contracts have expired. Also, commercial accounts will have an expense for the install, depending how long their contract is.  Ted - Q - How has Comcast reacted to Connexion? A - The competitiveness has lowered rates and improved infrastructure because Connexion offers competitive prices and better, and local, customer service. b. Celebrate Outgoing Board Members  Josh lead a celebration of the three outgoing EAB members (Ted Settle, George Grossman, Julie Stackhouse) who will be leaving the board December 31, 2021. c. Changing the Timing of Leadership Elections -.Renee/John  Renee and John made a proposal to the board to change when officer elections happen because it seems too early to ask new members to vote on officers of the board without having any time to work with them. The suggestion is to have new board members join the board in January. In February, the board will take nominations for officers, and in March have the elections.  All board members agreed with this proposal. AIR QUALITY ADVISORY BOARD TYPE OF MEETING – REGULAR 12/15/21 – MINUTES Page 4  8. BOARD MEMBER REPORTS a. Renee is excited to see new restaurants and bakeries opening in the City. b. John asked if the departing board members if they had any advice or comments to pass along to the board.  Ted expressed a deep appreciation for the caliber of staff and board members he has worked with over the years.  Julie suggested that, as the Economic Strategic Plan is developed, the City look for creative ways to reach out to a wider variety of citizens and businesses because she is not sure many citizens will not get involved in the outreach. She also suggested staff needs to be aware that some of the various strategic plans in the City are aspirational, but are not achievable.  George suggested that, when the Economic Advisory Board has a presentation, that it look at what is being presented through the lens of how it will affect local businesses and the health of the local economy. He also believes the Economic Health office needs more staff and funding to help with its job to help supporting local businesses and sales tax revenue. 9. OTHER BUSINESS a. 6-month Calendar review b. Agenda planning 10. ADJOURNMENT 5:12 pm.