HomeMy WebLinkAboutBroadband and Telecommunications Advisory Committee - Minutes - 10/8/20241
Minutes of the
Bayfield County Broadband and Telecommunications Advisory Committee Meeting
4:00pm, October 8, 2024
Meeting was held Remotely through Microsoft Teams and in person in the Bayfield County
Board Room, Washburn, WI
Members Present: Ken Vlasek, Nicole Boyd, Mary Dougherty, Steve Sandstrom, Jamie
Paterson, Josh Pearson, Zach Larson, Shawna Barnes, Jessica Waclawski
Members Excused:
Others Present: Lynn Divine-County Clerk, Mark Leonard-Wisconsin Public Service
Commission Broadband Planning and Policy Coordinator
Call to Order: Called to order at 4:01p.m. by Committee Chair Steve Sandstrom.
Introductions: Introductions of committee members and attendees were made.
Minutes from September 10, 2024: Motion by Vlasek, seconded by Dougherty to approve the
minutes from the September 10, 2024 meeting. Motion carried.
Committee Purpose, Goals and Objectives: The document was included in the packet and
reviewed by the committee. Motion by Dougherty, seconded by Vlasek to adopt the Committee
Purpose, Goals and Objectives as amended. Motion carried.
Broadband Access Announcement, Digital Connectivity and Navigator Announcement:
Sandstrom informed the committee that Bayfield County was awarded $1.2 million to improve
service to individuals that have not been receiving service and to assist paying for the service.
Each library in the county will also be given iPads that can be lent out to library customers.
Future Focus of Committee and Recommendations to Staff: The committee discussed the
potential focus areas for cell towers and broadband:
Cell Towers:
• Call in a guest speaker to discuss the state statutes regarding tower locations and sizes as
well as statute 59.69 pertaining to zoning code
o Reach out to Andy Phillips with the WCA to see if he can assist in the discussion
• Research and gather resources regarding possible discussion topics to hold a panel
presentation in December
• Determine which county forest land or other locations are appropriate for installing cell
towers
• Build a data gathering strategy
• Include Mitch Olson, Bug Tussel, as an advisory member to the committee
• Compile a list of guest speakers to bring to the next meeting
Broadband:
• Realistic idea of how much provider competition should be expected in one area
2
• Determine what market says for the county regarding service providers
• Accessibility
Resources
Committee Member Reports: There were no reports.
Next Meeting Date: November 12, 2024 at 4:00 PM
Meeting adjourned at 5:11 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by Paige Terry as transcribed from a recording.