NW-AR.COM Wiki | TelecomWatch / DeeperTaskForceBackground

DEEPER BACKROUND : Specifications for the City's proposed "Technology and Telecommunications Infrastructure Task Force" were earlier defined at a special workshop held by the Telecommunications Board on January 8,2004. The Board and City CAO Earnest discussed and reorganized a draft "charge" for the Task Force, in which Board Chair Cromwell and City CAO Hugh Earnest indicated that the Task Force would be developed jointly by the Telecom Board and City staff. (See TaskForceCharge1) The proposed Task Force (TaskForceCharge1)stems from the extended Cox franchise agreement approved by the Council in October. (See also: AmendedResolution, ProposedAgreement, TelcomBoardMeetingPackets, OctoberMinutes, TaskForceCommentary, CitySummary.

The rough draft Charge discussed at the Jan.8 meeting included:

'1. Identifying the telecommunications needs of the community (government, schools, business, public) and how to best meet those needs.'

 '2. Developing a Technology Infrastructure Vision and Policies statement that provides direction for the plan and guides the implementation of

telecommunications technologies in support of community interests and the city's goal to create a "Strong, Diverse, Local Economy."'

 '3. Reviewing the city's existing information technology and

telecommunications infrastructure, available telecommunications services, rights-of-way management strategies, and telecommunications regulatory structure.'

 '4. Developing a comprehensive telecommunications strategy and franchise

framework plan to support a coordinated regional information infrastructure that provides accessible and affordable high-speed connectivity for citizens, public institutions, and businesses."'

A “Regional" scope for the proposed Task Force is not specifically mentioned in the Cox agreement, or in the Board's ListOfCaveats, or in Earnest's October 31 restatement. However, Earnest has indicated that the Telecom Board and the City will be with “thinking outside the box” to shape a NWA Regional telecommunications initiative.

At the November 19 Board meeting, Earnest had prepared an October30LettertoCox, which restates the City's expectations in future negotiations, but provides few additional details. Earnest's presentation at the December 17 meeting added no details beyond the draft "Charge" and there was little discussion of the franchise negotiations,per se.

At the December Board meeting, Cox representative James Anderson reiterated his Company's willingness to cooperate in a survey, but he was not able to provide details about when or how the survey would be conducted. He estimated that Cox might provide the basic parameters for the study in January, and that a "first quarter' date for the survey might be possible. ( In November, the Board had discussed a telephone survey which Cox has offered to conduct with additional questions supplied by the Telecom Board.)

Earnest's October 30 letter also indicates the need to discuss an Information Network and broadband issues that "should also be part of the focused conversation on the franchise as a part of the separate discussions occurring through the Task Force." The letter also mentions that, "The company, the city, and other interested parties will work on a regional show or special event to demonstrate the possibilities of such a venue." However,no specifics were provided for the task force, regional show, or broadband issues at either the November or December Board meetings.

In an earlier October 1 CoverLetter accompanying the agreement, Earnest had referred to a "City Technology Infrastructure Plan" that would be addressed by the Task Force. The November and December agendas refer to a "Technology and Telecommunications Infrastructure Task Force" but do not indicate its scope. (See January update at TaskForceCharge1.)