05-24-07 Meeting Minutes

St. Lawrence County IT Advisory Committee

Meeting Minutes
May 24, 2007 (Thursday) 2:00 PM

Present: Sign in sheet handed out. (Laura Perry has)

Review/Accept Minutes from 4/26/07 Meeting: Yes.

Conference Call from ConnectKentucky:
They provided a map of Kentucky showing services, Broadband Service growth, Broadband Data Collection.
Gave a brief overview of what ConnectKentucky is about.
It is a Pilot project for “connected nations”.
Goals (2004)
1. 100% deployment of broadband by end of 2007.
2. Dramatic increase in internet access.
3. Meaningful on-line presence. Local government was 30-35% and now is 75% that have websites.
4. Local demand creation – to have communities in strategic plan.

Accomplishments:
1. 60% to 93% households are able to use broadband. With last few (4%) provided a cost share
For satellite solutions. Cost share from public and private funds.
2. 20% increase in computer use.
3. 75% there (from goal #3 above).
4. Have local teams in all 120 counties.

Other activities pursued:
Funds do not go from ConnectKentucky. ConnectKentucky may show providers where there is no or little service.
Bring resources together then look for funding for private sector.
Someone asked how much is public and how much privately funded? About 20% is private/80% state/federal.
Tennessee (by executive order) to do similar project.

Cost Share Program – Wildblue is there for Kentucky. Not for monthly service fee – for private sector share.

Funding – Community Connect Grant is by USDA Rural Utilities Grant. ConnectKentucky proceeded with this.
ARC Funding
DRA Funding
State Economic Development Grant

Question of “How does NYS compare to Kentucky with population dispursement?
Laura Taylor replied: Provided driven to obtain State interest. Gives State access to all citizens.

Laura Perry mentioned how we would be interested in Cost Share Program and getting information for citizens.

Laura Taylor – Kentucky program is done in 7 months – but won’t be completely done. It started in Kentucky,
Now they may take to other states. Talked with people in New York. Seems to be a state level interest.

Call completed 3PM.



Discussion on Map. Map is most important thing to do at this point. Haven’t heard from Verizon (Laura Perry to call)
Timer Warner may have map to us in 1-2 weeks.

Mention of USDA Grant – should submit for equipment to get service to citizens. (won’t cover monthly cost).

Premier Wireless – has 3 phases of their project. They are in Phase 1 now. Ending Phase 1 soon.

Jon Montan has DANC map.


*TASK: Planning to assist in obtaining a list of addresses from SLC citizens. Take this generated list of physical
Addresses and phone numbers and pin point them on a map. Check they services.

Premier Wireless to get us a better map.

NYS Exec. Order to Webcast:
Does this have to be realtime? Someone said yes.
Although this is an unfunded mandate.
This will be a use of what we are working on – IT.
This is for NYS Entities (have to show – but don’t have to copy. View only).

NYS Universal Broadband Access Initiative:
Ron Stanton from Empire State Development - $5,000,000 funding for Unviersal Broadband.
He’s not sure where the money is. Will keep in touch.

ESD Report – still forthcoming. Report in draft form – will let us know.

Sixth (6th) Round of Wire Buildings Funding - includes wireless in communities. Funding available to individual providers.
Think about this for other areas (Piercefield) that are not being served. Make it competitive for other providers.
More for high tech businesses – not County updating phones & internets?
Premier Wireless has received funding from Round 5 (20 wireless application, 13? Funded/ 6 wired, 3 funded)

Update from County Attorney – Mr. Lekki
Private carriers on Committee. It’s okay as per scope of committee.
Ok to ask provides for information on features.
Laura Perry disclosed past work with Nicholville Phone Company.

Bob Juravich (DANC) would like to meet and talk with us.
Propose inviting him to our next meeting – all agreed.
Discuss what we are doing – find out about DANC.
What are their plans for areas without services?

Update on County Phone System (Rick Johnson):
Natalie Aldrich and Mike Cunningham did leg work of RFP.
Checked with other Counties to see if they used consultants.
RFP to be needs based then obtain opinions of vendor.

Blog Site for everyone to contact:
Question: What involvement for each of us – what is the County requesting us to do?
Attempt to reach out to County people to bring a lot of this to lite.

Verizon to have a time line.
Planning can assist in information for broadband map (with Verizon’s information).

Adjourned.
Next meeting June 28, 2007 (2-4 pm). Same conference room.