Communications Infrastructure Committee


DATE: October 4th, 2006

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

Others Present: Tim Stieve, Phil Raab, Ellis McFadzen

  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 draft minutes of September: Motion by Hartje, second by Stevens to approve the minutes. Carried.
  4. Public Comment: Don Stevens asked if there has been any interest from Cell phone company's, to date none.
  5. Communications: None.
  6. Business Items:

    Update on Fiber Optics: Ellis noted that basically everything is done except for Hwy 78. Ellis provided an update on the progress on the right of way purchase. Ellis noted that the DOT contact has changed that there are issues with the USDA property and it could be up to a year before that is purchased. Ellis noted that if he doesn't get the go ahead from DOT in the next 2 weeks we are not going to be able to get into the new right of way this year and it could be much longer. Options were discussed, Ellis noted that we could go into the existing Hwy 78 right of way but at some point in the future we would have to relocate some of that, Ellis estimated it would affect about 7000 feet but that not all 7000 feet would have to be relocated. Ellis estimated that it would be around $60,000 in relocation cost if and when the project actually happens. Motion was made by Montgomery, second Sinklair to move forward with getting the fiber in this year and deal with the relocation costs when and if necessary.

    Merrimac: All the work at the site completed., paging Baraboo & Merrimac from this site.

    Hillpoint: Noted that we had some damage to the fencing at this site, someone apparently drove through the fencing, pictures of damage were shown. Police have collected evidence and report filed. Work at this site complete however we discovered that we have bad connectors on the antennas and we need to have As-Built correct this problem. Phil is hoping to be paging off this site by the third week of October. Discussed the need for video surveillance at the sites, committee agreed that Tim & Phil should get camera/ideo for the sites.

    Lake Delton: This site is 100% functional, just waiting for fiber loop and Happy Hill Comparator work to be completed.

    Hemlock: Nothing new to report.

    Happy Hill: Continue to work on moving things from the old building to the new. This will take another month or two to be fully switched over along with getting all the equipment on line and functioning.

    Sauk City: Same situation as Lake Delton.

    Courthouse: Nothing new to report.

    Spring Green: Construction completed, still waiting for As-Built to complete the feed lines and antennas. All of our work/programming pretty much completed until we have the feedlines. Won't take long to get this site turned on once we have the antennas & feedlines completed.

  7. Next Regular Meeting: November 1st, 2006 at 7:30 a.m. at the Courthouse EMBS Meeting Room but also may include a tour of all the tower sites.
  8. Adjourn: Move to adjourn by Sinklair, second by Stevens.
    Carried
    .

Submitted by: Timothy R. Stieve, October 5th, 2006