Communications Infrastructure Committee

DATE: December 7th, 2007

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

Others Present: Tim Steve, Phil Raab, Richard Mister, Kevin Steve, Jamie Goldsmith-Lavalle Telephone, John Bartz-Lavalle Telephone, Marty Krueger

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 18th, 2007 meeting: Motion by Hartje, second by Montgomery to approve the minutes.
   Carried.
4. Public Comment: None.
5. Communications: Letter from Iowa County, call from DNR, both about possible lease of tower space.
6. Business Items:

   Update on Tower at Highway (6a): Phil started looking at some other options that include changing out omni directional antennas to directional antenna and found that this actually works slightly better than putting a tower at the Highway. He also investigated the tower base on the courthouse and it appears we can take down one half the tower, replace the base and still be better off. Total estimated budget will be around $32,000 plus the cost of the tower work versus the roughly $65,000 the Highway tower would cost.

   Update on Fiber (Agenda items 6b): Tim noted issue with Merrimac going into a vault but that was straightened out. Reedsburg utilities has the internet test to the courthouse up on the fiber.

   Discussion of Co-location request from Iowa County (6c): Letter from Iowa County Sheriff's Department was passed around. We are not aware of any specifics. Phil also noted that the State Frequency Coordinator called and indicated that the DNR may have an interest in co-locating on some of the towers., again there are no specifics at this time. Committee advised Tim & Phil to get specifics and then we can discuss whether or not other non county emergency services should be afforded a reduced rate.

   Approve resolution to approve Lease of dark fiber to Merrimac Communications (Agenda items 6d): Move by Hartje, second by Montgomery to approve. Carried.

   Discussion CIC future (6e): Marty asked for input on whether or not the Committee should be continued now that the bulk of the work is completed. Committee expressed leaving in place and meet as needed or place under Property & Insurance. Phil handed out some concerns. Tim noted that this project is complete but there will always be ongoing projects, for instance upgrading/updating the mobile data system so that all County Departments could use it, presently only a system that services the Sheriff's Department.

   Appearance by Jamie Goldsmith Lavalle Telephone (6f): Jamie expressed an interest in co-locating on the Lavalle Tower. Jamie was given some approximate pricing and was provided with information on the towers. They will let us know.

7. Next Regular Meeting: A date was not specifically selected.
8. Adjourn: Move to adjourn by Montgomery, second by Hartje.
   Carried.

Respectfully Submitted by: Timothy R. Stieve