Communications Infrastructure Committee


MINUTES - February 1st, 2006

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

Others Present: Tim Stieve, Phil Raab, Richard Meister

  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 Montgomery, .second by Hartje to adopt agenda.
    Carried.
  3. Adopt minutes: Motion by Hartje, second by Sinklair to approve minutes of last meeting.
    Carried.
  4. Public Comment: None.
  5. Communications: Chair Bychinski asked if other committee members had receive an informational e-mail from Supervisor Gaalswyk, some seemed to have, others not. Tim noted an e-mail received from Dylan Oliver about coordinates at existing Spring Green tower site possibly being slightly off. Mr. Oliver sent the e-mail direct to the FCC with a cc: to Phil. Don Stevens noted he is getting numerous calls about when a cell service will go on the Hillpoint tower. Don has been telling them this is for emergency communications and that there is no guarantee of cellular on that tower. The committee asked Tim to do some checking to see what interest there is from Cellular services to go on this tower.
  6. Business Items:

    Update on Fiber Optics: Tim handed out pricing on the DC power plants for the various sites for the fiber optic equipment. Tim & Phil had purchased a couple so that we could be sure that the units were configured as needed. Phil noted a few issues that needed to be corrected. The various pieces and parts for seven sites tentatively totals $73,748.85. Move by Hartje second by Stevens to purchase necessary DC Power plants. Motion Carried. Also discussed were the various pieces needed for the Multiplexers for the various sites. The multiplexers are utilized in conjunction with the fiber optic equipment to break down the radio traffic frequency by frequency to simulcast and control the frequencies from the dispatch point. Move by Montgomery, second by Hartje to purchase the Harris multiplexers for all the sites tentatively total $142,165.00. Motion Carried. Tim noted that the fiber equipment was connected and running one week after the last meeting on January 4th. Since that time we have received some training on site that allows us to begin creating the services on the fiber optic equipment. Tim & Phil provided details as to how the programming/creating services works. As part of the purchase a one week training school at one of two Turin locations is included, however, Tim noted it will be a while before this training is taken, as the technical services and online training that Turin offers has gone very well. At this time it is expected that the equipment will be rolled out to the tower sites by April 1st. Tim noted that no construction of the remainder of the fiber optic loop has been taking place because of the winter conditions. Ellis is continuing to look into placing our fiber in the new Hwy 78 right of way versus an easement across BAAP. Tentatively if all goes according to plan that installation could start in August of this year provided all works out to place our fiber in that right of way.

    Merrimac: As-built is completed at this site and next is for Phil and Tim to begin the install of the radio and other related equipment.

    Hillpoint: All work is completed by the contractors and the next step is for Phil and Tim to begin the install of the radio and other related equipment.

    Happy Hill: Working with As-Built to schedule the feedline and antenna replacement, because this is our main site and has to be planned very carefully to minimize any down time.

    Lake Delton; Hemlock; Sauk City; Courthouse; Nothing new to report.

    Spring Green: Working on the paperwork and such for the Board of Adjustments. Hopefully we will be appearing at the March BOA meeting for the Special Exception Permit. Also have Ramaker & Associates started on the NEPA and soils report.

    IWCE Expo & Conference: Discussed possible attendance at this year's Expo & Conference. Will discuss further at the next meeting.

    Filtering Resolution: Phil explained what the filtering is. It was noted that the pricing was supposed to be in this week but it is taking longer than expected. It was suggested that we meet prior to the February 9th County Board Meeting if possible to review any resolutions. If the 9th doesn't work then prior to regular County Board meeting on the 21st.

  7. Next Regular Meeting: March 1st, 2006 at 7:30 a.m. in EMBS Meeting Room 128 at the Courthouse,

    Baraboo.

  8. Adjourn: Move to adjourn by Sinklair, second by Stevens.
    Carried
    .

Submitted by: Timothy R. Stieve, February 1st, 2006