05-22-08 Meeting Minutes

St. Lawrence County
Information Technology Advisory Committee
May 22, 2008, 2pm
Location:2nd Fl Conf Rm, Public Safety Bldg, Canton, NY

Meeting Minutes

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

Attendees discussed details related to the upcoming strategic planning event.

• The group decided to include 70-80 attendees total for this initial event.
• The event will be July 24, 9am – 4pm.
• The group decided there would be a facilitator for each of the sessions, provided by members of the committee.
• Committee members were asked to forward addresses to Kevin Lynch of potentially interested attendees of our workshop. Deadline June 3rd.
• The following industry sectors were mentioned:
  Small Business – LJP to contact Chamber representatives, Brenda Thornton, Pat McGowen
  Higher Education – G Stahl to forward info
  K-12 Education – H Mellon to forward
  Hospitals – P Deleel to forward
  Agriculture – LJP to contact Cornell Coop Ext
  Local Gov – LJP to get list
  Industry – LJP to ask Wade Davis for contact list
  NNY Library – LJP to forward contact
  Community Service Organization – ex.) Leave a Legacy Foundation, LJP to forward fuel assistance partner org contacts
  Media –
  Carriers -
• LJP suggested that CITEC be approached to provide registration services, committee agreed to pursue
• The committee discussed ideas regarding the Opening Session. The group talked about Joe Demart offering some opening comments, as well as LJP offering some comments to demonstrate the work of the committee, the results of the survey, and the role of the participants of the workshop.

Laura Perry and Rick Johnson provided a presentation of the Broadband Survey Map. The group offered suggestions for changes in presentation. Suggestions included turning off town roads, including a population gradiant component and questions about how it would be posted on-line.

Under New Business LJP brought up the issue of communities dealing with private carriers in negotiating use of municipal facilities. Referencing an article (see attached) that mentioned the departure of a prospective company as a result of perceived anti-business tactics of the local communities. The group discussed whether or not the committee had a role in aiding local communities in dealing with this issue. It was the consensus of the group that the committee should play a role, and it was decided that it should look into ways other communities have dealt with this issue. It was suggested that we locate agreements that other municipalities have used successfully in negotiating arrangements. Ideas for sources that were noted were Connect Kentucky, NYSAC, Planning Board, Ontario County’s Broadband Coalition. Some of the items these agreements should deal with are: deliverables for the carrier, revenue, exclusivity, spectrum, and time line.

LJP discussed the fact that she was invited to speak at the local gov conf in Oct ’08. The committee agreed that a presentation on some recommendations for negotiating with carriers would be an appropriate focus for the discussion. Research and discussion on this to follow.

Other Items:
It was suggested we speak with Howard Lowe, as the north country’s rep on the state’s Broadband Initiative. LJP to contact.

Kevin Lynch inquired where SLC was with NY Alert. LJP to ask Mike Wassis.