1. No category

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 info@telecomVT.org 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
info@telecomVT.org
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
info@telecomVT.org
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 info@telecomVT.org 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 info@telecomVT.org 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
info@telecomVT.org
http://www.telecomVT.org
page 3