Public Education/ Discussion Meeting — Minutes

Date: 1/18/24 From: Jeff Feuerstein To: David Wood, Pam Johnson, Randy Graf, Cathy Eckers CC: Jessica Hatch, Hugh Zettel, Nancy Anschutz Subject: Town of Sturgeon Bay Broadband Committee Meeting 1/11/24 Minutes 1. Call Meeting to Order. Meeting called to order at 1:47 pm at the Sturgeon Bay Library 2. Attendance. Members required for quorum = 3. Members present = 5 a. In person: Jeff Feuerstein, Pam Johnson b. Virtual: David Wood, Randy Graf, Jessica Hatch, Cathy Eckers c. Members absent: None 3. Adopt Agenda. Graf moved, Feuerstein seconded, to adopt the agenda as written. Motion carried 4. Approve Previous Minutes. Graf moved, Eckers seconded to accept minutes as amended. Motion carried. 5. Correspondence. None. 6. Public comment. None 7. Old business. a. Discuss broadband maps, review strategy and challenge process. Cathy attended county meeting earlier in the day to understand process to verify the BSL. Cathy will forward key slides to BB committee members. Jessica had gotten a new list of BSL today and would forward. Based on experience in Nasawaupee the Town of Sturgeon Bay may want to confirm a policy for which locations are being considered for BSL. b. Discuss resolutions and timeline with town board. Have been waiting to see contract with Town of Egg Harbor and Sevastopol once they become public record. Sevastopol supposed to vote on 1/15/24. Committee will work with town attorney and write a resolution for town to vote on, possible as early as the February meeting. c. Based on latest unserved and underserved only 227 locations in town of Sturgeon bay would qualify for BEAD grants . Some discussions that Charter served locations may be overstated where there is new cable at the road but has been no contact to homeowners in the area as to hook up. Charter service is still below most requirements for considered being served. Jessica has been getting some information about some new kind of technology called high split that could get them closer. Could be available at the end of 2025. d. Capital funding projects grant application. ATT had submitted a grant on behalf of the Town of Sturgeon Bay. Winners of any grants should be announced in the February to March timeframe. e. BEAD funding. Criteria for underserved for bead funding is performance less than 100/ 20. Towns can ask for up to 75% of the cost to hook up addresses unserved and underserved under BEAD. 8. New Business a. Review town of Egg Harbor contract with AT&T. Copy of contract with AT&T has been received. Review and compare with contract from Sevastopol and develop contract for ATT and Town of Sturgeon Bay. b. Discuss payment timeline and financing options. Town has been in contact with Board of Commissioners of Public Lands. Also watching what town of Egg Harbor and town of Sevastopol are using for their financing options. Jessica mentioned that low interest loans through USDA may be available and will forward information to Jeff on those loans. USDA grants application will be in March timeframe. 100 of loan amounts can be requested. USDA is planning and holding a 2% interest rate. Some discussion for when dollars are needed by towns to pay the ISP. Need to reach out to the Town of Egg Harbor. Need to confirm when service is available triggering any obligations for payment. c. BEAD funding. Process still being worked out. Interested parties may be submitting letters of intent in March 2024 9. Items to be placed on future agendas a. Ways to increase participation in broadband access survey 10. Next meeting date. 1/25/24 3-5 pm at the Sturgeon Bay library conference room. Future meetings at 3-5 pm on 2/8 and 2/22 11. Adjourn. Johnson moved, Feuerstein seconded to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 3:09 pm.