Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 04/30/2001 UTILITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE - SPECIAL MEETING Port Angeles, Washington April 30, 2001 I. Call to Order: Chairman Reed called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. I1. Roll Call: Members Present: Chairman Reed, Allen Bentley, Mayor Larry Doyle, Larry Williams, Orville Campbell Members Absent: None StaffPresent: Mike Quinn, Glenn Cutler, Scott McLain, Larry Dunbar, Mark Hughey, Cate Rinehart Others Present: Richard Li - Metropolitan Communications Consultants Dr. Paul Carlson - Metropolitan Communications Consultants Jim Haguewood - PA Works Karen Rogers - PA Works Leonard Beil - PA Works III. Approval of Minutes: Chairman Reed stated the minutes of the April 9, 2001 meeting will be approved at the regularly scheduled meeting May 7th. IV. Discussion Item: Fiber Optic Backbone Business Plan Larry Dunbar, Power Resources Manager, introduced Richard Li and Dr. Paul Carlson of Metropolitan Communications Consultants. Mr. Li reviewed the project background, mission, and development goals. Infrastructure alternatives were introduced which included a private network, City network, public/private network or a Cable TV network upgrade. Mr. Li indicated the Northland Cable survey was prcdominately negative citing service and programming problems, however, this was not a unique finding as other city companies had the same image. It was suggested that a supportive approached be taken regarding the franchise agreement. Various scenarios were given which consisted ora City owned project, a City/Cable partnership, a City/Telephone partnership or a City/Cable/Telephone consortium. A short discussion followed. It was recommended as an interim step the City/Cable scenario be used as a starting point with the ideal relationship of thc City/Cable/Telephone consortium. The consultants stated the feasibility of this project showed an economic success. They further requested the City rescind the Design Engineering portion of their contract due to the fact that it was awarded months ago but the original schedule could not UTILITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE APRIL 30, 2001 be maintained, Lockheed Martin is no longer available, and strategic direction would further delay the process. There were some questions regarding the business survey response. It was noted the City received over two hundred responses indicating a range from modest awareness to broad usage. A pilot demonstration project was suggested using three nodes to show what fiber optics can be used for, capabilities of city use, and to give businesses a chance to try it out. A short discussion followed. It was explained that the demonstration concept was in the primitive stages with details to be worked out by staff. Larry Dunbar, Power Resources Manager, requested comments on the draft by the end of the day of May 3rd. No action taken. Information only. VI. Late Items: None VII. Next Meeting: The next meeting will be held May 7, 2001 at 3:00 p.m. in the Public Works Conference Room. VIII. Adjournment: Chairman Reed adjourned the meeting at 5:05 p.m. D~"~e~t, Chai~ffn~ Cate Rinehart, Administrative Assistant N:~PWKS~LIGHTXCONS\CATE~apr30min.wpd 2