Last Week

Last week, the UC2B Technical and Policy Committees focused their discussion on a report from Eric Lampland, part of Shive-Hattery’s engineering firm team, regarding the design of the UC2B network.  Lampland’s complete design recommendation can be found attached to the bottom of this page.

The Technical Committee forwarded three primary recommendations and one of Lampland’s Strong Suggestions to the Policy Committee for approval. 

Primary Recommendations:

• Retain, with slight modification, the initial seven-ring design
• Establish Separate Transport Connections between nodes 2, 8, and 9
• Leverage Existing Facilities for Aesthetics and Open Access.

Strong Suggestion:

• Examine and consider modifications to 1.86 miles of ring shared paths

These modifications to the original seven ring design were passed from the Technical Committee to the Policy Committee, with the slight modification that city and university staff would help the engineering firm fully vet the new paths chosen.  All choices concerning specific locations were postponed, but the Policy Committee approved the recommendations set forth by the Technical Committee.

Shive-Hattery is also working to establish an easement-free design path in addition to UC2B’s original path.  This will give easement negotiators more leverage and put a backup plan in place if easements cannot be obtained.  The majority of conversation regarding the easement-free route centered around one path along I-74 owned by IDOT that will cost UC2B $20,000/year.  The Policy Committee did not vote to accept or deny the easement free route.  The topic was introduced just before the conclusion of the meeting.

The IRU Subcommittee further edited a document they are editing regarding existing infrastructure.  They are consistently making progress and there is very little disagreement within the group.  Most of their time is spent crafting sentences as the document continues take shape. 

The Marketing Subcommittee met on Tuesday Febraury 8^th.  John Kersh informed the Chambana Connection that several regular attendees of the committee were absent and that there were just as many individuals attending for the fist time.  The minutes for this meeting are not yet available, but it was clear from the communication with Kersh that no votes or approvals occurred.

Coming up this week

UC2B Technical Committee Meeting – Tuesday February 15, 2011- 3:30 PM  

City of Champaign Council Chambers

Action Items

• Engineering Update and issues (Paul Duke)
• Subcommittee Reports and Actions (Open Network, IRU, and Marketing)
• FTTP Proposal Update
• Network Design/Implementation Issues
• Preparation and Development of Commodities RFP
• Preparation and Development of Construction RFP
• Preparation and Development of FTTP Installation RFP
• Meeting times

Discussion Items

• Tasks or Items for the next meeting 

UC2B IRU/Existing Infrastructure Subcommittee Meeting – Thursday February 17, 2011 – 9:30 AM  

City of Urbana Executive Conference Room 

Action Items

• Finalize document for Technical Committee Regarding Outline issue #6 Use of Existing Infrastructure:
• Work on Outline Issue #8 – Idefeasible Right to Use  (IRU)/Transport Contracts

UC2B Policy Committee Meeting – Thursday February 17, 2011 11:45 AM-1:00 PM

Douglas Branch Library meeting Room, 504 E. Grove, Champaign, Illinois

Action Items

• Grant Required Approvals
• Approvals of items forwarded from the Technical Committee and its subcommittees including OSS/BSS RFP Specifications

Discussion Items

• Discussion of Timeline
• Technology Committee Report
• Review of Fred Stavins Memo on types of Organizations
• I-74 Easement Recurring Cost
• Final Locations for nodes near CPW and ILEAS
• Design Review-discussion and decision on remaining items Rec. #4 and Strong Suggestions 2-6
• Proposed updates to Federal Budget on Form 424C (sent by Mike Smeltzer on 2/9)
• Service Pricing (attachment re: same provided with agenda)