Communications Infrastructure Committee

DATE: May 4th, 2005

Members Present: Tommy Lee Bychinski, Virgil Hartje, Robert Sinklair, Charlie Montgomery, Don Stevens

Others Present:Tim Stieve, Phil Raab, Mark Cupp, Steve Pate, Dave Mikonowicz, Paul Raab, Brad Niebuhr,

Dylan Oliver, Dennis Kluge
  1. Meeting called to order by Chair Bychinski at 7:30 a.m.. Certification of compliance with Open Meeting Law was met.
  2. Adopt agenda: Motion by Hartje, second by Montgomery to adopt agenda. Carried.
  3. Adopt minutes: Motion by Stevens, second by Hartje to approve minutes of last meeting. Carried.
  4. Public Comment: None.
  5. Communications: None.
  6. Business Items:
Update on Fiber Optics - Discussion Exchange of Services with Reedsburg Utilities: Ellis McFadzen handed out and went through the latest draft of the exchange of Services agreement. Discussion on this agreement followed. One item not specifically addressed in the agreement is that there are three locations that Reedsburg Utilities does not have duct in place and duct will need to be added. It was agreed that the cost of this construction would be split between Sauk County and Reedsburg Utilities and just needed to be referenced in the agreement but would not affect the fees noted in the agreement. It was noted that the agreement is based on rates as they presently exist with the understanding that all items being exchanged would have annual increases that would keep the value of the exchange constant over the term of the contract. There was also discussion about others leasing fiber and any affects. Dylan Oliver who is looking at doing wireless internet to rural areas inquired about cost of leasing dark fiber. It was noted that there was an agenda item about policy & procedure for that as well as tower leasing. It was noted that the tower lease fees have been drafted but there was still work to be done on the fiber as well as the policy and procedure for both fiber & tower leasing. Moved by Montgomery, second by Hartje that we move forward with this exchange of services agreement with the understanding that the construction of the duct in the three locations would be evenly split. Carried.

Ellis provided an update on construction of the fiber optics. Chair Bychinski asked about the remainder of the entire loop. Tim Stieve noted that as part of the bid, there was language indicating that we could use the pricing for the entire loop. White Construction has agreed to complete the entire loop at the bid prices from last year. Committee agreed to continue with White Construction for completion of the project.

Merrimac: Nothing new to report.

Courthouse: Nothing new to report.

Hemlock: Phil noted that there is just one connection left to be completed otherwise we are as far as we can go with this until all the fiber is completed.

Lake Delton: WP&L is getting ready to put their stuff on the tower. Again our radio equipment won't be moved over until the Fiber Optics is completed.

Hillpoint: Still waiting to hear from Senator Schultz's Office. Don Stevens noted he spoke with Dale on 5-3-05 about the delay. Don noted that Dale left a message with one of his staff members to get this taken care of. Don believes we should be hearing from them very soon. It was noted that if nothing was done within the next week we should proceed with getting something completed with the Whitman's who we have been talking with for the last several months.

Sauk City: All the equipment that we have is installed. Had a temporary wireless T-1 running but some parts failed and are waiting for replacements.

Spring Green: Nothing new to report.

7. Next Meeting was set for June 1st, 2005 @ 7:30 a.m. Mark Cupp noted that although he knows the web site is not the official listing, it showed the meeting starting at 8:15 am. Agenda was properly posted with the 7:30 am time. Steve Pate will check as to why the web site is showing 8:15 am.

8. Adjournment:

Motion by Stevens, second by Hartje to adjourn. Carried.

Respectfully submitted by: Timothy R. Stieve, May 5th, 2005