Imsong called the meeting to order at 7:35 AM.
Margaret Cooley reported on the meeting held Jan. 28 to review the structure and operation of PA-ComNet. The result was formation of a committee to look at ways of making the group more effective and more productive. There has been a tendency for people to split off and work separately, such as the Midtown project. She distributed an outline of the guidelines and 4 areas of responsibility (see end of report for summary of committees). She wants people to volunteer to work in one of 4 subcommittee areas - administrative, advocacy, sponsorship, and resources.
One issue that came up often was reaching consensus, which many felt means unanimity. She wanted to change it to general agreement. How do the groups constitute themselves? Those interested in working on one or more group contact Margaret. Each subcommittee can organize independently and come to agreement on how, when and where to meet.
Jay Thorwaldson said we can have a vote of the overall membership on major issues. Otherwise consensus doesn't mean unanimity. Marvin Lee said we should stay with general consensus unless and until it doesn't work. Margaret said the administrative group can determine how decisions are made, and the nature of voting. Jay said advocacy is an educational process and needs to be part of the overall program.
Gary Fazzino was introduced - he is a long time council member, former mayor, chair of Policy committee, chair of Technet, government relations representative for H-P, and long time Palo Alto resident.
He said that for today's meeting he was asked to give his vision of the fiber loop, economics of advanced communications in the city, and future plans. He's not the best one to answer that question, and in fact looks to PA-ComNet for advice. The city council is in a policy making position, but they are almost all non-technical, so they rely on staff and the community for information. They will be looking to this group for advice and help on these subjects. This group provided great service in illuminating the issues during last campaign with the candidates' night in September. He's delighted the Council made the decision to build the fiber loop, which is the first step in providing universal access. The RFP (Request For Proposal) process to select someone to use the fiber loop to provide service has begun, with the plan of having responses back this fall. The Cable Co-op proposal of several weeks ago addressed that issue plus another issue of financing. Council members felt unanimously that the proposal needed to be handled through the RFP process. A couple of us felt it would be appropriate to make a decision on the offer -- we should have been able to get more information from staff in terms of legal and other issues.
The council wanted to move forward with the RFP. Only 2 council members wanted more data on the Cable Co-op offer. There was a dispute about the details of the proposal. There also is interest in finding out if any other present JPA agencies are interested in supporting such a proposal. He can pretty much assure us that this council is committed to move to the next step, moving in direction of selecting group or groups to offer universal access. A vote on how best to provide the service hasn't occurred yet. Providing service directly is very different than putting in the fiber loop. It is hard for the city to come up with dollars for this. Palo Alto has problems with financing. They are interested in funding content such as putting city facilities and services on line such as libraries, issuing building permits on-line. They are looking for financial resources from a partner.
State fiscal processes are becoming dysfunctional. They are more dysfunctional with passage of Prop. 218 last year. Prop 218 makes it far more difficult to pass local revenue raising issues. It gave far more power over taxes to property owners. Prop. 218 is related to Prop. 13. It is much more difficult to gain approval of any broad new revenue tax for something like this, although it's not impossible, i.e., the PAUSD (Unified School District) bond issue passed with 82% of vote. A comprehensive infrastructure funding proposal may be on the ballot in the next year or two. There is a growing need for capital funding. It is possible that we will look at a comprehensive infrastructure proposal. Streets & sidewalk repairs, then a new police/fire facility. A city-wide communications utility may be included.
Paul Pease liked the idea of a communications utility, perhaps paid for like water, use a little, pay a little, use more, pay more. Gary said Palo Alto has a significant stake in communications, and should provide it to the entire community. Since Professors Marx & Wing set up Palo Alto's Utility in 1905 it's been successful and works better than private suppliers. Public agencies often can provide services better and cheaper than private ones. When the fiber backbone was built they didn't want to just serve a few favored few. They wanted to serve everyone, which is an important reason for city involvement. The city always demonstrated a commitment to provide basic utility services to its citizens. Knowing that this issue of public vs. private came up, and I know it sounds like heresy, but public authorities can often provide these kinds of services more efficiently and effectively, and assure meet all segments of the public. We are concerned that we not create a two- or three-class system -- serving just the larger businesses. That's probably the most significant reason Palo Alto should be involved.
Marvin Lee said often the citizens are more forward-looking than government. His neighborhood is interested in having fiber optics extended to their homes. They wanted to extend the fiber to Harker Ave, then tie in 2-way line for about 300'. About 90 - 95% of those replying via e-mail as to interest in such a project said they wanted fiber, and would pay up to $1200 for fiber extensions. The householder would be responsible for any access fees plus internal wiring. They sent a letter to Van Heimke asking for Palo Alto to look at extending the fiber ring to the homes.
Warren Kallenbach, President of the Community Center Neighbors Assoc., read from the letter sent to city staff asking the cost of tying to the city fiber ring. They offered technical help from community members but no financial assistance.
Gary said the city is committed to universal access, with hopes of a decision on the RFP responses by Sept. or Oct. They have several interests, particularly selecting a sound technical/financial partner. The bidder who has the best, most creative economic proposal has the best chance of winning the RFP.
Michael Silverton asked how H-P feels about this topic, and will they be interested in participating.
Gary said that former H-P president John Young & Seth Feary, a founder of Smart Valley, were instrumental in moving forward on the issue. They were the only ones at H-P who were really interested in the area. Others in the company have not shown much interest. He can arrange meetings with John Young if asked to.
Margaret Cooley asked why focus on one, not several RFP winners?
Gary said it's easier to focus on one, plus they think more than one winner is unlikely. A low bid by someone like TCI and award of the use of the fiber might result in lack of responsiveness to the community need. He said, "We're not limited to the idea of one. When we had discussions with staff, I think the expectation is one will bid, almost surely Cable Co-op, but they are open to the possibility of additional partners". Selection may focus on the economic aspect. It's expected the winner will need to have near exclusivity.
Paul Pease: What if the answer is TCI and say they would do it for $10 a house.
Gary: We wouldn't rule it out, but I am in favor of significant public involvement in terms of decisions and content.
Marvin Lee said one of the things I like about the JPA (Joint Powers Authority) proposal is it makes possible the definition of public involvement. Cable Co-op should stick with TV, and not get into data. They are very good at delivering video services, but not in Internet access -- they are just beginning in that area.
Keith Cooley said we need a new service model, since TV is broadcast where the dissemination of information is controlled by the broadcaster. Internet is a two-way communication that encourages both production and consumption of data. We really have an opportunity to create a system in a model that is different from the past: two-way, and we want to make sure there is a facility for the two-way to occur symmetrically. We hope the city will look to a partner that understands this new way of communicating.
What new applications could the city be involved in?
Chuck Atchison: I think some of these things are feasible off the net as well as on the net, but the net might be a political vehicle to accomplish them.
Gary noted that Bill Johnson, editor of the Palo Alto Weekly, pushed candidates at the last election on the city stake in communications. He said TCI should be allowed to come in and do it all. He thinks the city has little real role in communications.
Jay: followed up. Need is for a city staff "champion" for the project.
Stan Smith noted Carol Jansen's comments at the February PA-ComNet meeting about the RFP process being more of a fishing expedition. The city has 12 - 18 months to get on board or it will miss the train. Is the city well-enough organized and does it understand the needs for advanced communications?
Jay Thorwaldson agreed. Since Bernie Strojny left as assistant city manager there has been no leadership by staff on this issue. How can the city promote the process, and not just have RFPs that educate the council?
Paul asked how long did it take to award the cable franchise?
Gary said it took over 6 years. Lee Levy began pushing it in 1979, and the franchise was awarded in 1985. PA-ComNet can play a critical role in this issue. No one at highest level of staff really provides leadership. Now there is a lack of high level political leadership on staff to make things happen. They need the council to tell staff that it's important and needs doing.
When Margaret called Gary last night and left a message, he felt worse than after the flooded people got on him at City Council. No one is pushing the cause of advanced communications. City does not have that leadership at the highest level. The Council's responsibility is to turn to June Fleming, City Manager, and say this is important. It has to happen. "For someone with a degree in theology in 14th Century Jewish mysticism I'm not the best one to lead on technical matters. We need to rely very heavily on someone on staff with the technical and financial expertise. This group can play a critical role in educating the council."
Richard Adler: How can we help?
Gary said meet with every council member and educate them. We have credibility because we don't claim to have all the answers. Tell them what's realistic about selecting partners, types of services, etc. This group has credibility -- you haven't come and said this is the answer. You are in an educational mode. In educating council members about what is the issue. Also would meet with June Flemking, Emily Harrison, Van Heimke, and others to push and prod to arrive at a point where they are bringing realistic options to the council not just a fishing expedition.
Stan Smith said it might be too late. What will happen is PacBell will offer its DSL system, TCI -- will be asking for third person to come in and overbuild. These are extremely difficult challenges.
Gary: There are some who question whether we will get any responses to the RFP other than Cable Co-op.
Stan: This window of opportunity is a very important thing. If the city is going to assume a leadership role they have to do it in the present competitive situation. There are limited real options to the existing wired systems.
Gary said PacBell is interested, met with staff, and has a decent chance of being involved in the RFP process.
Bob Moss noted the interest Cable Co-op already has in fiber access. At the Cable Co-op board meeting last night they discussed laying fiber right now as well as using the city fiber in certain areas. On the way here, he heard an ad for $149/month DSL service from Concentric Networks. We'll have no problem getting the rich people served. Cable Co-op will contact Warren and Marvin to offer neighborhood access.
Marvin Lee: And we're going to challenge every neighborhood in the city to do the same thing.
Minority view -- don't forget the 800 block of Lincoln Ave.. On financing. 40 years I've been paying for it.
Margaret: We decided we will give it to those who couldn't afford it.
Bob Moss: Our block actually did that in undergrounding our neighborhood. One widow couldn't afford the $1500 cost of hooking up to the street, so the 21 other houses passed the hat and collected almost $500 to help her pay for it.
Gary: I want PA-ComNet to be part of the RFP process, and to help with the selection of a winner. In the proposal, I didn't think there was enough emphasis on public involvement. I want more public involvement. Send a letter to the mayor and the council. Ask to meet with June Fleming. I'd like to see you part of the formal selection process. Currently the plan is to send out the RFP in August. At the council meeting there was no demonstrated support for Cable Co-op. Made it impossible for Gary and Rosenbaum to get any other support. If only PA-ComNet is interested, and there's no general support, it won't happen.
Imsong asked Jay Thorwaldson & Stan Smith to draft a letter regarding the RFP process and need for leadership at the highest level of city government, to be circulated for comment and sent to the city.
Paul Pease briefly described his proposal for a net fair describing what's available locally.
Purpose: Create a demonstration project for PA-ComNet that will capture the imagination and involvement of many Palo Altans and show how useful the web can be locally.
Idea: Start a project that will culminate in a Palo Alto Trade Fair sometime in the year 2000 where all Palo Alto-based companies will bring their trade show exhibit, if they have one, or simply use a card table and backdrop cloth to present their company and its products to the residents - especially the families &endash; of Palo Alto over one weekend.
Prior to this, and leading to it, Paul suggests that PA-ComNet spearhead an effort to list all these companies' web site addresses on a master PA-ComNet site (or the city site). This would go a long way toward helping Palo Altans learn about and appreciate the incredible variety of new businesses that have sprung up almost unknown locally over the past ten years.
Paul will be glad to help, but this kind of a project needs the involvement of many and, he believes, the backing of PA-ComNet if it is to succeed.
The large group (at least 24 vs. the normal 12 to 15) gave Gary Fazzino a well-deserved round of applause and thanks.
Next meeting will be Wed. April 1, 7:30 AM. at Terman Library.
Adjourned at 8:35
Submitted by Bob Moss
Arrange facilitator at monthly meetings, get and thank speakers, room arrangements, minutes, account for any dues/donations, tally votes, listserver, admin., website admin.
Resident and organization outreach, listserver community liaison, govt. outreach & liaison, T.A.P. volunteer, media outreach/respondent & liaison, develop position statements.
Explore non-profit status, obtaining corporate, govt. and individual contributions - money or in-kind, give PA-ComNet sponsorship to mission- related community projects.
Provide information & expertise on a volunteer or professional basis, including database of resource people and information and any demonstration projects.