Vermont Telecommunications Authority Cover Sheet Meeting Minutes Meeting Date:
Transcription
Vermont Telecommunications Authority Cover Sheet Meeting Minutes Meeting Date:
Vermont Telecommunications Authority Meeting Minutes Meeting Date: Meeting Start Time: Meeting Place: Adjourned at: Meeting of: April 15, 2011 9:37am Holiday Inn Express, Springfield VT 12:30P Full Board Broadband Grants Committee Planning, Technology and Policy Committee Finance and Audit Committee BTOP and Fiber Projects Committee Wireless Infrastructure Committee HR and Personnel Committee Called Meeting to Order? x Tom Evslin, Planning, BTOP & Fiber Projects Committee Chair and Planning, Technology and Policy Committee Chair x Jo Bradley Steve Wisloski x Committee Chair Stephen Morse Trevor Crist x x Board Members in Attendance Steve Shepard, Chair Peter Meyer, Vice Chair Dawn Terrill, Finance & Audit Committee Chair Karen Marshall Al Brisard, Wireless Infrastructure Committee Chair David Binch, HR/Personnel Committee Chair & Broadband Grants Staff Members in Attendance Chris Campbell Erik Amaliksen Harry Colombo Kelley Spear Todd Oliver Christa Shute Jennine Poulin Deb Shannon Cover Sheet x x x x x x x x x x x x x x Guests in Attendance Jaye Johnson, AG Michael Birbaum, Cloud Alliance Charlie Kremer Justin Robinson, Sam Colman & Tess Guathier, VTEL Vermont Telecommunications Authority, One National Life Drive, National Life Records Center Bldg. Montpelier, VT 05620-3205 802.828.1788 / 802.828.1789 – fax [email protected] http://www.telecomVT.org Vermont Telecommunications Authority Meeting Minutes Informational Update Given by Also providing Also providing Action information information Taken, if any Other notes Attorney General Review of VTA Award to Sovernet in connection with Vermont Jaye Johnson Chris Campbell Fiber Connect Project Notice of Sonny Cloward Contract on Tower Chris Database Development Contract Campbell Vtel WOW Project BTOP update The AG's office presented a chronology of events and made two recommendations: 1) the VTA needs to provide detailed itemization of how the funds will be spent to the three legislative committees before encumbering or spending the appropriated fund; 2)The July 20th mid month meeting reflects a motion and a second but no vote. The board needs to consider and act on a motion to accept the award and ratify all actions taken in reliance on acceptance of the award. Otherwise, the VTA was found to follow the procurment process correctly. This review was conducted at the request of the VTA board chair. The Board member present at the July 20 meeting remember the vote and will warn a forthcoming vote per proper procedure. Justin Robinson Chris Campbell Harry Columbo and Karen Erik Amaliksen Marshall Vermont Telecommunications Authority, One National Life Drive, National Life Records Center Bldg. Montpelier, VT 05620-3205 802.828.1788 / 802.828.1789 – fax [email protected] Page 2 http://www.telecomVT.org Amount increase of $1200, term extension of 30 days and expands scope of work to include approximately 100 new fields VTel is in open RFP process for WOW project. Engineers are working, environmental assessments are in process, and there is a preliminary plan for the RF which is part of the RFP process. The overlap process should be resolved and is at the NTIA for liftng the SAC. VTel is also hiring for new positions and is implementing new processes and policies to help facitiate the new growth There is a programic agreement in process and there are no expected problems. Financial reporting is being submitted, on time and drawdowns are commencing for the VTA expenses. Pole attachment agreements are commencing but until the programic agreement, approvals and environmental assessments are approved construction cannot begin. Vermont Telecommunications Authority Meeting Minutes Legislative Update Karen Marshall Chris Campbell Page 2 S.78 passed the Senate on 4.13.11. As bill currently stands it does two things: 1) regulatory reform and enhancement such as solidifying limited size and scope and de minimus categories to 248a, especially to telecommunication sites as well as creating exemptions for fiber Act 250 review; and 2) refocused and reignites the VTA. The powers of the VTA become very focused on investing in constructing telecom infrastructure. To own, participate in grant administration and remains as the doorway for provider licensing. Planning, agreggation of demand, benchmarking and entering into public/private partnerships power would go away. The board would be decreased and filled with all new members two of which would be legislators, and 5 at-large members appointed by the governor. All board members will have two year terms with maximum of 3 consecutive terms. The bill would put policy making with the agency of administration and the VTA would implement. Note: upon expiration of board member terms, they would not be able to accept employment with a telecom company for one year. Cloud Alliance Michael Birnbaum Submitting a 248a application on Monday for 4 towers. 3 with VTA funds. The regions are Plainfield Harwich Woodbury and Wolcott. Applying as limited size and scope. Estimated 4000 households will be passed. Depending on Public Service Board approval and hearings construction is planned to begin in the fall of 2011. BRBB Chris Campbell Draft contracts have been sent to both FairPont and VTEL. The FairPoint contract may be ready for board approval at the May 6, 2011 meeting. Vermont Telecommunications Authority, One National Life Drive, National Life Records Center Bldg. Montpelier, VT 05620-3205 802.828.1788 / 802.828.1789 – fax [email protected] http://www.telecomVT.org Vermont Telecommunications Authority Meeting Minutes To approve the minutes of a David Binch prior committee meeting Tom Evslin To increase Art Bartlett's contract from $15k to $30k David Binch Al Brisard Request that the AG's office state in writing that the VTA did follow all correct procedures in awarding Backroads Broadband funds David Binch To go into executive session Peter Meyer Broadband & BTOP 11.19.10 Stephen Morse Tom Evslin To discuss the Bethel tower contract negotiations, NorthLink contract issues and personnel issues Trevor Crist Stephen Morse David Binch Al Brisard Karen Marshall Dawn Terrill Steve Wisloski Jo Bradley Seconded By Important Points in DiscuAction Taken, if any March 4, 2011 and Approved by voice Stephen Morse Tom Evslin March 15, 2011 vote Tom Evslin Made By Peter Meyer Motion To approve the minutes of the prior meeting Steve Shepard Roll Call Other notes ClicClicClicClicClicClicClicClicClicClicClick on one: Approved by voice vote ClicClicClicClicClicClicClicClicClicClicClick on one: Approved by voice vote ClicClicClicClicClicClicClicClicClicClicClick on one: Approved by voice vote Karen Marshall ClicClicClicClicClicClicClicClicClicClicClicAbstained Approved by voice vote ClicClicClicClicClicClicClicClicClicClicClick on one: Vermont Telecommunications Authority, One National Life Drive, National Life Records Center Bldg. Montpelier, VT 05620-3205 802.828.1788 / 802.828.1789 – fax [email protected] http://www.telecomVT.org Vermont Telecommunications Authority Meeting Minutes Due to issues raised on the audit of North Link Enterprises the board does not wish to enter into a contract with them at this time and the ED should inform the appropriate legislative committess that the VTA does not wish to spend the appropriations in this manner. Tom Evslin David Binch Board had previously given the ED approval to enter into contracts with Northern Enterprises Approved by voice vote ClicClicClicClicClicClicClicClicClicClicClick on one: To set committee as follows: VTA Personnel 4/19 @ 9am, Finance 5/3 @9am, Wireless Stephen Morse David Binch 5/12 @ 9am Approved by voice vote ClicClicClicClicClicClicClicClicClicClicClick on one: To adjourn Approved by voice vote ClicClicClicClicClicClicClicClicClicClicClick on one: Stephen Morse Tom Evslin Vermont Telecommunications Authority, One National Life Drive, National Life Records Center Bldg. Montpelier, VT 05620-3205 802.828.1788 / 802.828.1789 – fax [email protected] http://www.telecomVT.org Vermont Telecommunications Authority Meeting Minutes Action Taken, if Executive Session Topic Discussed any Bethel Tower, North Link and Click on one: personnel matters Click on one: Other notes See Motions Click on one: Click on one: Click on one: Click on one: Click on one: Click on one: Click on one: Click on one: Click on one: Click on one: Click on one: Click on one: Click on one: Click on one: Click on one: Click on one: Click on one: Click on one: Click on one: Click on one: Click on one: Click on one: Click on one: Click on one: Click on one: Vermont Telecommunications Authority, One National Life Drive, National Life Records Center Bldg. Montpelier, VT 05620-3205 802.828.1788 / 802.828.1789 – fax [email protected] http://www.telecomVT.org page 3