FRONTIER TELENET

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

JUNE 29, 2018

MINUTES

The regular meeting of the Frontier TeleNet Board of Directors was called to order by chairman Judge Steve Shaffer at 10:05 A.M.  This meeting held in the OSU Extension Office Conference Room, 66365 Lonerock Road, Moro, Oregon.

Directors Present:  Judge Steve Shaffer, Judge Gary Thompson and Judge N. Lynn Morley

Also Present:  Todd Cox, Ryan LeBlanc and Steve Wynne, Day Wireless Systems.  Mac Stinchfield, Times Journal Newspaper, Mike Smith, Rob Myers and Jeanne Burch, Frontier TeleNet Staff.

Budget Hearing:

The Budget Hearing for the Frontier TeleNet Fiscal Year 2018-2019 was opened at 10:25 AM.  There was no public input.  The Budget Hearing closed at 10:27 AM.

Regular Session resumed at 10:28 AM.

Resolution No. 6/29.2018-003, A Resolution Adopting the Frontier TeleNet Budget reviewed.

Moved by Lynn Morley, seconded by Gary Thompson that the Frontier TeleNet Budget for Fiscal Year 2018-2019 is approved in the amount of $4,630,603.00 and the funds are appropriated.  Motion carried with all present voting aye.

Minutes:  Moved by Gary Thompson, seconded by Lynn Morley that minutes of May 18, 2018 be approved as presented.  Motion carried with all present voting aye.

Financial Review:

Moved by Lynn Morley, seconded by Steve Shaffer that financial report for May 2018 be approved as presented.  Motion carried with all present voting aye.

Resolution Transferring Funds:  Jeanne Burch reviewed certain line items that had gone over in the current budget.  Moved by Lynn Morley, seconded by Steve Shaffer that Resolution No. 6/29/2018-002 be approved making the following budget adjustments:

Account 506-Electricity Other-Add $200.00

Account 508-Insurance-Add $2,000.00

Account 512-Legal-Add $2,000.00

Account 513-Bandwidth-Add $42,000.00

Account 516-Miscellaneous-Add $10,000.00

Account 520-Personal Services-Add $26,000.00

Account 537-Rental Expense-Add $1,500.00

Account 5010 Contingency-Deduct $83,700.00

Motion carried with all present voting aye.

IT and Systems Updates Progress Report:

Ryan LeBlanc of Day Wireless System reported that Wheeler Broadband was progressing on schedule.  RTG is ready to transfer their customers to the new system.  That will be RTG responsibility after initial testing.  That cap that was placed on Mitchell while construction was being finished has been removed.  Mike Smith stated that multiple vendors can now use the system.

Black Rock Grazing Site was discussed.  It was noted that underground electricity is a requirement at this site.  This site is used for redundancy.

Madras Power supply in server failed during a storm.  There was no loss to customers and the redundant servers work very well.  Frontier Regional 911 was able to keep operating using the Wheeler Broadband System.  The technicians were very pleased to see the system work so well for emergency services..  Sherman County has also experienced several fires this month and most of the county was covered by the system.  There has been a microwave problem at the Spray Clinic and Day Wireless is working on this problem.

Security at Sites:  There is a need to secure site at AirBase.  Rob Myers has taken care of weed-eating and Don Farrar has sprayed.  A chain-link fence is needed and site needs to be leveled and rock installed.  Moved by Lynn Morley, seconded by Gary Thompson to approve Ron Mobley building a 6-foot chain- link fence at AirBase in the sum of $8,390.00.  Rock and Site Preparation to be determined, not to exceed $10,000.00.  Motion carried with all present voting aye.

Secondary HVAC at Kahler Basin needs replacing.  Moved by Gary Thompson, seconded by Lynn Morley to approve Secondary HVAC at Kahler Basin in the amount of $5,620.00.  Motion carried with all present voting aye.

Business and Marketing Report:

Mike Smith gave the following progress report:

  1. Working with T-Mobile in Mitchell. They want to buy service from Frontier TeleNet but they have some questions about Microwave.
  2. Discussed with a cell phone company the use of fiber in Sherman County.
  3. Mid-Columbia Economic Development District on behalf of Sherman Cities awarded RFP to Gorge Net. Gorge Net is interested in purchasing bandwidth from Frontier TeleNet.
  4. Grass Valley Grocery Store now has wireless service.
  5. Partnering on Sherman County Projects. Conduit is going in for free at Biggs Junction.
  6. Update on Umatilla-Morrow Radio District. Not going forward with Frontier TeleNet as they are concerned about Frontier TeleNet not maintaining sites with fencing and rock.
  7. Another County is interested in using Digital Switch.
  8. Another County is interested in services from Frontier Regional 911.
  9. Cottonwood State Park: NEPA Work is being done.  Moved by Gary Thompson, seconded by Lynn Morley to approve $14,100.00 for NEPA Study at Cottonwood State Park. Pending Legal Counsel written  Motion carried with all present voting aye.
  10. Cottonwood State Park Tower RFP: Moved by Gary Thompson, seconded by Lynn Morley to accept the quote from Windwave, as contractor of record and responsible contractor, in the sum of $99,500.00.  Pending Legal Counsel written  Motion carried with all present voting aye.
  11. A company outside Spray needs improved communication. Day Wireless will work with them.
  12. Work with RTG on improving speeds.
  13. Mike Smith is working with ORTELCO regarding Wheeler County Projects.
  14. Working on RFP for fiber build from Wasco to Rufus.

Other Items for The Good of the Order:

Steve Shaffer spoke on the need for Frontier TeleNet to take a good hard look at how business is done.  Feels we need to separate internet service and public safety.  Future looks bleak and e-rate is becoming competitive.  Steve Shaffer feels that revenue is dwindling and need to take a hard look at structure and pricing.  5G Technology is in the near future and Frontier TeleNet needs to be organized.  Steve Wynne pointed out that not all the towers are capable of supporting carrier information.

Mike Smith responded that Frontier TeleNet is in a good position to meet the future with the Frontier TeleNet infrastructure.  Ryan LeBlanc of Day Wireless stated that they would be available to go to meetings if technical support is needed.

Steve Shaffer gave a brief update on the Condon Fiber Project.  Presently working on right-of-way issues with Inland Development Corporation and a third party.  Zayo is working on the expansion of their system.  Gilliam County and City of Condon each have 12 pairs of fiber.

Next Meeting of Frontier TeleNet will be July 20, 2018 at Gilliam County Courthouse in Condon, Oregon.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 11:50 AM.

Respectfully Submitted:

Jeanne Burch, Frontier TeleNet Staff

Approved:  July 20, 2018

_______________________

STEVE SHAFFER, FRONTIER TELENET CHAIRMAN

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