COMMUNICATION/TECHNOLOGY
AD HOC
COMMITTEE MINUTES
JUNE 16, 2010
Members
Present: D. Pullen, M. Healy, Mike Johnsen, Jerry
Scott, C. Crandall
Others
Present: J. Margeson, M. Alger, T.
Hopkins, D. Fanton, F. Sinclair, P. Curran, K. LaForge, T. Miner, B. Rigby
Riehle, J. Foels, K. Dirlam, R. Hall, W. Brown
Guest: Richard Zink – Southern
Tier West, Wayne Hawley – Southern Tier Wireless, Sherry Grugel – Greater
Allegany County Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
Call to Order: The meeting was called to order
by Chairman D. Pullen at 10:05 a.m.
Approval of Minutes:
A motion was made by Jerry Scott, seconded by Mike Johnsen and carried the minutes of May 19, 2010 were approved.
Introduction:
Chairman Pullen asked for introductions from everyone and then gave an update on the goals of the committee.
Kier Dirlam –
Mr. Dirlam stated he had meetings with Russ Hall – E911 Coordinator and Richard Zink – Southern Tier West who helped bring him up to date on the issues that are being addressed for improving communications and technology through out the county.
Mr. Dirlam was notified that the Department of Public Works received a request to issue permission for right of way to various locations in the county for the ION Project to progress forward toward the completion of the networking project in the county. Once this project is completed it will provide a better level of service to consumers.
Mr. Dirlam had a meeting with Sherry Grugel to discuss the survey study that was done by the Allegany County Chamber of Commerce. The purpose of the survey was to determine the current level of broadband internet use in the county as well as future needs. Mr. Dirlam distributed information which was presented in a bar and pie chart format. This survey was completed six months ago. Mr. Dirlam felt there was need to send out a new survey because of all the updates that have been accomplished since this survey was done.
Richard Zink – Executive Director Southern Tier West:
Mr. Zink gave an update on the progress of funding for towers in the county. Mr. Zink discussed the importance to partnership with Southern Tier West, Southern Tier Wireless and the County to make the availability of improved broad band service to the County more cost effective with more availability to the consumer. Southern Tier West is willing to partner with the County and provide $180,000 of funding to install a new tower on Ackerman Hill near the tower the County owns, if an agreement is approved. Mr. Zink stated after five years Southern Tier West can revert ownership back to the County. Once the new tower is installed the equipment can then be transferred from the old tower to the new tower and the old tower can then be dismantled. Mr. Zink stated there is a short time frame in order to receive the funding. The project needs to be installed and all invoices provided before the August 18, 2010 deadline. Mr. Dirlam stated that in order for this project to be able to move forward a Geotechnical study needed to be completed. The study is estimated at a cost of $5,000. Russ Hall – E911 Coordinator stated the New York State Core of Engineers specs indicate the County needs a 300 foot free standing tower. There was discussion with Mr. Zink on the possibilities of meeting these requirements.
There was discussion on the ION Project and it was stated that the project is actually covering more area to the south of the county than originally anticipated. Mr. Hawley stated this is a win-win situation for the County, Southern Tier West and Southern Tier Wireless as well.
Chairman Pullen addressed his concerns on how long it would take for a tower to be installed. Mr. Johnsen stated once the tower was approved it took Comnet Services, LLC six weeks to have the job completed in Swain.
Legislator Fanton asked Mr. Zink if an agreement is approved, can there be put in the agreement that ownership will revert back to the County at the end of the five year period so it will be in writing and approved before the five years expires. Mr. Zink agreed to this issue and also stated Southern Tier West would want in the agreement that Southern Tier Wireless has life use of the tower as long as the system operates.
A motion was made by Jerry Scott,
seconded by Legislator Healy and approved unanimously a resolution to accept a
Geotechnical Study be completed at a cost not to exceed $5,000 and to approve a
Lease Agreement with Southern Tier West for a tower to be installed and other
legal details worked out between Southern Tier West and the County
Attorney. Any additional funding to be
determined by the Ways and Means Committee as needed to complete the project.
This referral is to be forwarded to the Ways and Means Committee at their
meeting this afternoon for their approval to expedite this agreement as soon as
possible. REFERRED TO WAYS AND MEANS PREPARE A RESOLUTION
Chairman Pullen stated the extreme importance of moving this forward as soon as possible to take advantage of the funding that is available at this time and the need of expansion of the wireless and 911 system.
Mr. Johnsen stated he had a very
productive meeting with the new manager of Frontier and gave an update on the
progress that has been made. Robert
Smith the new manager would like to attend a future meeting to present a map of
plans for wireless connection from
Legislator Crandall stressed the importance of completing the Geotechnical study and to complete a new survey with the towns and villages for areas of pockets that do not receive wireless service to identify these areas and address these needs in the county.
A motion was made by Jerry Scott, seconded by Mike Johnsen and carried to adjourn the meeting at 10:48 a.m.
Respectfully Submitted:
Alice Alsworth
Confidential Secretary