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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBroadband and Telecommunications Advisory Committee - Minutes - 8/13/20241 Minutes of the Bayfield County Broadband and Telecommunications Advisory Committee Meeting 4:00pm, August 13, 2024 Meeting was held Remotely through Microsoft Teams and in person in the Bayfield County Board Room, Washburn, WI Members Present: Ken Vlasek, Josh Pearson, Mary Dougherty, Mike Cariveau, Steve Sandstrom, Leo Carlson (on behalf of Chad Young), Nicole Boyd, Jamie Patterson, Zach Larson, Shawna Barnes Members Excused: Jessica Waclawski Others Present: Mark Abeles-Allison-County Administrator, Evan Keller-Red Cliff Tribal IT Director Call to Order and Introductions: Called to order at 4:00p.m. by Mary Dougherty. Introductions of committee members and attendees were made. Review Authorizing Resolution Stating Purpose of Committee: The authorizing resolution was included in the packet. The committee reviewed the following mission statement: “The Bayfield County Broadband/Telecommunications Committee serves as a community connector and facilitator working with citizens, businesses, industries, agriculture, units of government, and broadband and telecommunications providers aiding broadband/telecommunications expansion initiatives to increase the availability, delivery, and utilization of broadband and telecommunications services countywide. The Committee will also ensure that any public or private infrastructure required to provide broadband or telecommunications services is compatible with the County’s Comprehensive Plan and the Zoning Code.” Question was raised why the committee would need a mission statement on top of the authorizing resolution. Dougherty stated the mission statement would be another tool solidifying the mission and purpose of the committee. Concern was raised regarding the committee’s ability to ensure any services are compatible with the County’s Comprehensive Plan and the Zoning Code. Dougherty suggested that the sentence be revised to read: “The Committee will make recommendations to ensure that any public or private infrastructure required to provide broadband or telecommunications services is compatible with the County’s Comprehensive Plan and the Zoning Code.” The committee agreed and recommended that the mission statement be added to the next agenda for approval. Selection of Chair and Vice-Chair: Patterson nominated Sandstrom as Chair. Dougherty asked for other nominations and none were made. Boyd moved to close nominations and cast a unanimous ballot for Sandstrom as Chair, seconded by Dougherty. Motion carried. 2 Sandstrom took over the meeting as Chair. Vlasek volunteered himself as Vice-Chair. Sandstrom asked for other nominations and none were made. Committee unanimously voted for Vlasek as Vice-Chair. Mark Leonard, Broadband Planning and Policy Coordinator, Wisconsin Public Service Commission: Mark Leonard was unable to attend the meeting. Carlson gave an overview of the BEAD Program to the committee. Carlson stated that the program has $1 billion available in Wisconsin to provide broadband to unserved and underserved locations. Volume 2 for the BEAD Program just came out with applications for this round due by November 1, 2024. Project areas for this next round have yet to be defined. Norvado has estimated 150 BEAD eligible locations within the county. Providers will be very busy over the next few months with the focus being primarily on fiber to the premises with alternative plans focusing on fixed wireless or satellites as other options. Cariveau informed the committee that several projects that have taken place over the past five years are not yet counted by the FCC. With the 150 eligible locations being spread so far throughout the county, the likelihood of the projects being supported by BEAD are not likely, so providers continue to build outside of the grant’s restrictions. Service providers will need to park large amounts of capital on the sideline to allow them to qualify for BEAD funds. Alternatively, providers may need to use other funds to reach these locations. Sandstrom asked what role the committee would play in the BEAD Program. Cariveau explained that the county will have influence over which projects and providers will best serve the county. Carlson stated that project support will require a resolution of support adopted by the County Board. Dougherty explained the process for getting a resolution of support for a project adopted by the County Board. Discussion took place regarding the number of other providers throughout the county and the lack of knowledge regarding their plans for the county. A recommendation was made that time be allocated at each meeting that would allow providers in the area answer questions regarding service provided throughout the county. Vlasek suggested that someone reach out to the other providers to inquire about any ongoing projects and plans they may have throughout the county. Broadband Background Materials for Bayfield County: Abeles-Allison reviewed the background materials that were included in the packet. Focus Areas and Plans and Goals for 2024 Meetings Including Guest Presenters and Invitations: The following suggestions were made for focus areas, plans, and goals of the committee for 2024: • Cellular/Mobile Communication Blind Spots • Ordinance Development to Better Communicate Rules and Protect Residents for Tower Development/Installation • Expanding Service Coverage on State Highway 13 3 • Proactive Ways to Identify Cellular Towers in Advance • Develop Unbiased Connectivity Maps through a Third Party o Look for Funding to Develop such Maps • Gather Information Regarding Service Gaps and Opportunities • Make Recommendations on Problems and Potential Solutions Being Incorporated in the Comprehensive Plan • Focus on Planning and Structure • Facilitated Discussion Regarding Focus Areas and Plans and Goals for 2024 Meetings Including Guest Presenters and Invitations Report to County Executive Committee: Dougherty explained that she and Sandstrom will be briefing the Executive Committee on discussions had during the committee meetings. Resources Committee Member Reports: There were no reports. Next Meeting Date: • September 10, 2024 at 4:00 PM • October 8, 2024 at 4:00 PM Recommendation was made to notify other providers that the committee has been established. Meeting adjourned at 5:09 pm. Respectfully submitted by Paige Terry as transcribed from a recording.