Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout6 Broadband Issues ,. . r. ,.. Staff Report To: Board of Directors From: Alan Harry, Director of Telecommunications Services Date: July 31, 2002 Subject: Consideration of Broadband Issues; Extension of District's Contract with Aggregate Networks One of the integral pieces of the District's proposal to construct a Broadband system within its service area is that of project financing. In that California State law requires that each business unit within a Public Utility District be self-supporting, the District's proposed Broadband operations will require it's own financing mechanism, as well as a revenue stream to repay any and all debts associated with the project. In April the Board authorized staff to enter into a contract with Aggregate Networks, a firm specializing in Municipal Lease Financing and Federal and State grant and loan programs, to assist District staff in locating the financing required to construct a Fiber to the Home infrastructure. To date Aggregate Networks has met its agreed upon deliverables, however we have not yet compiled all of the documentation necessary to make application for Municipal Lease Financing or Federal Grants and Loans The District's contract with Aggregate Networks ends August 10t'. In that we have yet to complete the documentation needed to apply for Lease Financing and Federal Grants and Loans, it is recommended that the Contract with Aggregate Networks be extended five months, January 10, 2003. The cost of this extension would be $50,000. Attached please find three documents for your review. 1. "Deliverables and Schedules Extending Aggregate Networks' Engagement with Truckee Donner PUD" 2. "Extension and Amendment to the Consulting Agreement by and Between Aggregate Networks and T.D.P.U.D." 3. Correspondence from Aggregate Networks dated July 30 RE: Summary Report of Findings for the First 100 Days of Engagement 0 Page 1 DELIVERABLES AND SCHEDULES EXTENDING AGGREGATE NETWORKS' ENGAGEMENT WITH TRUCKEE-DONNER P.U.D. AUGUST IOTn 2002 Our Agreement dated May 1, 2002 contained the following exhibit of"deliverables". As of today, Monday, July 22°d 2002, we have fulfilled the following degrees of each ote there are 22 days remaining on the existing cont ract): EXHIBIT "A" Aggregate Networks will provide the following deliverables: 1. Project Timeline of general steps to be performed throughout the process (See Exhibit `B" below) Met each by identifying needs_ and creating a sinzoture that can be financed. a. Process b. Timing c. Financing d. Federal Loan and Grant process 2. Weekly Reports Generated and submitted detailed weekly reports a. Prose style b. What was accomplished? c. Progress for structure. d. Progress for: i. Lease ii. Federal Loan/ Grant e. Roadblocks or hurdles f. Plans to overcome g. Next week's plans 3. Action list Have detailed actions taken by each and described steps necessa to push proiect to the neat stage in each weekly report, suppiernented by emails a. Aggregate Networks (including Advisors) 1 b. Truckee c. Other entities (lenders, Government Agencies, etc.) 4. Financing Options have identifled issues that will need to be addressed in order to sub 't apnhcations to private lenders and the RL S for financing. ire workina through the remainder of the term d the RLi S deadlines to create necessary materials rer�orts�proiections plans and applications for submittal a. LEASING: Once a structure has been decided and exact terms required, Aggregate Networks anticipates being able to identify up to 3 interested parties to finance one or more leases as required. b. FEDERAL AGENCIES: This process can take considerably longer and will likely require a financing structure that takes into consideration a longer approval and funding cycle, as well as the possibility that funds may not be available, or desirable. 5. The following deliverables will be performed by Aggregate Networks with the hands-on assistance of Greg Rohde and Chris McLean as sub-contractors. The following steps will be taken to identify, target, qualify and procure Federal Loan / Grant programs. It is understood by all parties that it will take more than 100 days to apply for and win federal financing, however,within 100 days it is reasonable to have an understanding of whether federal financing makes sense. The process will be fluid. Opportunities and options will arise as we get a sense of what the assets of the community are. 1) Field visit by Greg Rohde (he is in California this week). Delivered complete. 2) Research of available federal programs. Delivered and work--in-process 3) Paper on federal programs. Delivered complete. 4) Written analysis of recently passed farm bill broadband provisions. (The bill passed the House and Senate and awaits a Presidential signature.) Work in rp mess. 2 5) Identification of key personnel to contact for targeted programs. Delivered— workin�with individuals for submittal of programs. 6) White paper on options for integrating emergency communications. Work in rp 2Cess. 7) Once the project is defined, we can brief key California Hill offices. Project in definition stage. 8) Depending on whether federal programs are pursued, we can also seek letters of support. Delivered Complete. 9) Analysis of political options. o be irlet€t ted in Am ust. 10) Availability for consultations. Delivered and work in process. These actions and/or deliverables may require extended time beyond the 100 days of this Agreement. Applications and filling-out of documentation relevant to Federal program forms is not included, and would be the responsibility of the client directly, or outsourced. 3 EXHIBIT "B" The following is a working project timeline and can be modified as necessary to reflect needs and progress throughout the Consulting Period (not including Federal Loan/grants): ............ Estimated timeline for procuring&funding Lease Signed Consulting Agreement Document: 5/13 Agreement Deliver de J E 15 "Data- Dump" of entire project: costs, vendors, goals, timing, technology, P.U.D. Financials, etc 5/22 "Kick-off'meeting and planning session Document: with all parties Structure Plan Due Diligence/Underwriting—Structure, Financial analysis, collateral, "staging", terms, amounts, credit Document: analysis, debt coverage, repayment, comparables, Proposal industry figures& statistics, etc. —> Delivered , ia1: Busuiess lain/Vando dsin need. ETA 8/l C6/30 Packaging- Preparing documentation for lenders Document: D based on Due Diligence with summaries & Term& Credit credit analvsis Sheet Deliveredi pa ial: Business plan 7 Vendo deli Presentation to financing sources — Identifying needed. ETA 8/1 6/15-7-15 willing lenders, educating them, presenting materials_ etc. Document: Procure Term She 7/15 — 7131 from Sources Q&A w/Lenders and Negotiation F.T A 911 S Document: Lease documentation CED Initial Lease Funding EXTENSION AND AMENDMENT TO THE CONSULTING AGREEMENT BY AND BETWEEN AGGREGATE NETWORKS AND T.D.P.U.D. This Extension and Amendment("Amendment") dated this day of August, 2002, shall extend the existing Consulting Agreement("Agreement') by and between Aggregate Networks ("Consultant') and Truckee Donner Public Utility District ("T.D.P.U.D.") dated May 1, 2002 and which runs through August 10`", 2002, per Section 3 of the Agreement. NOW THEREFORE, the Agreement is amended as follows: The Agreement shall be extended for five(5) months from August 10`", 2002 until January 10, 2003. The monthly fee shall be ten thousand dollars ($10,000). All other terms and conditions of the Agreement shall remain in full force and effect. Furthermore, this Addendum redefines the schedule of"deliverables" to T.D.P.U.D. as originally contained in the Agreement as Exhibits"A" and "B". The Exhibits are updated and redefined to correspond to the next phase of effort to identify and place financing for T.D.P.U.D. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Extension and Amendment of the Consulting Agreement as of the date first written above. Truckee Donner P.U.D. By: Name: Title: AGGREGATE NETWORKS,LLC By: Name: Title: 1 EXHIBIT "A" Aggregate Networks will provide the following deliverables: 1. Business Plan review and modification if and where necessary including every component to be submitted to a lending source including private, public and/or Federal sources of loans and/or grants (collectively"Source") directly or indirectly through T.D.P.U.D. a. Summary b. Project description c. Vendor costs and analysis d. Design&Engineering plans e. Competition f. Addressable market g. Risk analysis It. Financial analysis i. Cash flow& debt coverage analysis 2. Letters of Intent—Consultant has determined that it is in the best interest of the T.D.P.U.D. to obtain Letters of Intent or, if possible, pre-commitments to help identify users and customers as well as solidify demand for Sources. Consultant will assist with design, drafting, negotiating, presentation and signing of Letters of Intent with likely users including, but not limited to: a. Tahoe-Forest Hospital b. Truckee Police Dept. c. Truckee Fire Dept. d. Sierra College e. Truckee-Donner P.U.D. Electric and Water Dept's. for SCADA f. Tahoe-Donner Unified School District g. Enterprises 3. Consultant will work with Sierra College, Tahoe-Forest Hospital, Truckee Police Dept, T.D.P.U.D. and any other entities eligible to apply for a Grant or a 2 Loan/Grant Combination under the Distance-Learning Telemedicine Program (DLT) with best-efforts to submit a complete application to the R.U.S. by the deadline August 31, 2002 for potential funding in the 2002 fiscal year. 4. Consultant will provide, at the expense of T.D.P.U.D., Sierra College, et.al., an expert to write the loan/grant application in order to meet the above-stated deadline and lend expertise and credibility to the application. 5. Consultant will, if possible due to timing, planning,resources and eligibility, submit an application by the deadline for one of the other relevant programs on behalf of the T.D.P.U.D. 6. Upon completion of the Business plan, including all items described under#1, Consultant will present the plan, for partial or complete funding to private Sources, several of which have already been contacted. If they have interest, we will work with no more than 2 at a time. If they do not have interest or are slow in deciding, we will continue to contact other Sources. 7. Continue to work with end-users, community&municipal users, enterprises, Sources, Vendors and any other parties that can help to bring to reality the FTTH project economically, timely and successfully. 8. Assist in procuring political contacts for helping to "kickoff' an event in conjunction with the 75`h anniversary of T.D.P.U.D. that will show the community that the FTTH/Broadband infrastructure project has indeed started. This will be done in conjunction with a strong PR effort, which Consultant will assist with in any way possible. 9. Anything else not included above, that may be deemed reasonably necessary to successfully fulfill any of the above deliverables. 10. Weekly Reports—Consultant will continue to submit weekly reports detailing: a. What was accomplished? b. Progress for structure. c. Progress for: i. Lease ii. Federal Loan/ Grant d. Roadblocks or hurdles 3 e. Plans to overcome f. Items needed from TDPUD in the form of reports, documents, forms, plans, maps, answers, review, designs or any other necessary information. g. Neat week's plans h. Actions taken by each party below and described steps necessary to push project to the neat stage in each weekly report, supplemented by emails. i. Aggregate Networks (including Advisors) ii. Truckee iii. Other entities (lenders, Government Agencies, etc.) Federal Grants & Loans The Statement of Work and deliverables for Federal programs are being addressed in a separate document produced by Greg Rohde and Chris McLean. 4 Aggregate Networks July 30, 2002 Mr. Alan Harry Telecommunications Director Truckee-Donner P.U.D. It 570 Donner Pass Rd. Truckee, CA 96160 RE: Summary Report of Findings for the First 100 Days of Engagement Dear Alan: This summary report intends to review the deliverables, findings, status and recommendations as of this point, of Aggregate Networks relating to the T.D.P.U.D. This report augments the "Deliverables and Schedules Extending Aggregate Networks' Engagement with Truckee-Donner P.U.D. August 10'h 2002" Agreement delivered on July 22nd, and is presented as a further "deliverable"to assist T.D.P.U.D. in evaluating its choices on how to best proceed with the FTTH network effort, as well as contemplating the capacity and roles and degrees to which Aggregate Networks has stepped into the project and provided tangible results. Aggregate Networks was asked to evaluate the T.D.P.U.D.'s situation and identify what types of financing may be available and most desirable for the Fiber-to-the-Home project. Our efforts have been spent on helping to evaluate likely sources, concentrating on Purchase Lease Financing and Rural Utility Service Programs. As a result, we become intimately involved in all aspects of the project and assisted wherever the need has arisen, from strategic deployment to introducing vendors,to identifying and meeting with future prospective customers, to identifying RUS programs and eligibility as well as private sources of municipal financing. Status Currently, we are involved in the following activities on behalf of TDPUD: 1. Working on a Letter of Intent to present to prospective customers & users of the system that will be"anchor tenant"to help justify the need for the build. These include: a. TDPUD for SCADA delivery and monitoring b. Tahoe-Forest Hospital c. Truckee Police Department d. Sierra College e. Tahoe-Donner Unified School District f. Truckee Fire Department 2. Assisting with narrative presentation to present to lending sources that describes the project. 3. Assisting with financial projections to present to lending sources. 4_ Assisting in communication and negotiation with vendors for build and/or content. 6SO Warrenville Rd. Suite 103 Lisle, IL 6OS32 630.305.9246 630.305.8808 fax Aggregate 5. Assisting in P.R. for"rolling-out"the service. 6. Working to identify the staging of the roll-out so that there are identifiable phases that are implemented incrementally in order to maximize the perception that something significant is happening and show progress on the project, while minimizing risk for lending sources and taking advantage of various Federal programs if eligible. 7. Reporting weekly on the results. 8. Identified certain RUS programs that TDPUD and/or users would be eligible for and have contacted the RUS regarding those programs. 9. Submitted comments to the RUS regarding the necessity to establish clear rules to determine the eligibility of municipal entities under the new broadband loan program. Our filing advocated that the RUS craft regulations that will allow for municipal participation in the program. And, we continue to work with the Agency to advocate favorable rules for municipal participation. 10. Identifying political people in California that can be helpful in pushing TDPUD agenda and/or available to speak at a kick-off. Conclusion Currently, we need additional information to begin packaging the loan request for private leasing companies and/or RUS. Aggregate Networks has determined through conversations with lenders and RUS representatives that they will require the following in order to evaluate the opportunity: • Narrative Business Plan(an outline was delivered via email to Alan) o Aggregate Networks has offered to assist with gathering the necessary information and writing this so that it reflects the current status of the financing needs. Many of the items that were needed from the HFC design have changed and many new strategic implementation choices have evolved from further discussion. • Detailed Cost analysis from Vendors o Pilot program o Fiber o Engineering o PONS design and gear o Construction& implementation • Revenue forecasts (in hand) need to be broken out to show month by month implementation—this can only be effectively done following the cost projections. • Competitive information presented to evaluate the risks of USA Media's potential to keep customers by upgrading their own system and thereby affecting take-rates. • Letters of Intent need to be signed. • Collateral identified to begin project—(this will likely be the Williams conduit)as it is the only tangible asset that can be used. These items are required to show that a project(FTTH) is "essential"to the community and its communication needs for critical services. We recommend engaging Aggregate Networks to assist in carrying out these necessary steps and to further identify hurdles that may be unforeseen. 650 Warrenville Rd. Suite 103 Lisle, IL 6OS32 630.305.9246 630.305.8808 fax Aggregate Networks RUS Efforts and Status The Hon. Chris McLean and The Hon. Greg Rohde RUS Financing—The new RUS broadband loan program remains an option for the Truckee FTTH project. The program was enacted as part of the recently passed Farm bill and awaits regulations, a decision about the size of the program, and clarification of municipal eligibility rules. The estimated time for approval is late August, or early September. Under the new law, municipals (including Public Utility Districts)are eligible to participate six months after the regulations are issued if no one is currently providing or is committed to providing broadband in the relevant community. Given the uncertainty of the program size, rules and processing times,Truckee should not rely on the RUS program for its core FTTH project. However,Truckee should not completely close the door on RUS broadband financing and be prepared to seize a favorable opportunity, should it arise. Sale/lease or bond finance should be the primary means of finance for the FTTH project, with an eye on the RUS door, should it open and be attractive. The next steps with regard to RUS should be low risk and can be done simultaneously with private finance options. To maintain an RUS open door, Aggregate Networks suggests the following next steps: Aggregate Networks should continue to advocate for favorable broadband rules. The June filing was designed to do just that. The filing was an important deliverable and is now on the RUS web site. The agency is now crafting rules for the new broadband program. Advocacy should be in the name of Aggregate Networks, not Truckee, to protect against tipping off competitors. Aggregate Networks'filing is a key component in opening this as a source of financing as others in Washington aligned with incumbent providers, try to exclude municipalities from being eligible for RUS loans and grants. Harry Hutson, the RUS General Field Representative for California should be briefed on the Truckee project details with written documentation that outlines the project specifically as to timing, vendors, design and financials. Develop financial and engineering information needed for private finance option with RUS requirements in mind if we determine that the RUS option is desirable for Truckee. Keep in mind that there may be more than one RUS financing option available to Truckee and we need to explore all possible options. File a letter of interest with RUS expressing interest in broadband finance that is the first step required for an RUS loan. Have Aggregate Networks meet with RUS staff in Washington on lease finance options as a means of interim or bridge financing for RUS loans. 650 Warrenville Rd. Suite 103 Lisle, IL 60532 630.305.9246 630.305.8808 fax Aggregate Networks Sierra College It appears that elements of the Community College(CC) project may be eligible for the RUS Distance Learning/Telemedicine(DLT) loan grant program. With an August 31'deadline, the window for this year's program is closing rapidly. To meet that deadline would require a near immediate commitment from the CC and the PUD to begin the grant writing process. This is unlikely given the current status of the necessary planning and presentation. Notwithstanding the potential eligibility, the CC seems adverse to the tight time frame and perhaps the loan aspect of the RUS DLT loan/grant combo project. It would be a mistake to force feed interest in the RUS DLT program. The primary need for the College is to extend the network into every home in the Truckee-Donner/Tahoe area to deliver programming content for distance learning classes. If USA Media were to undertake and accept the task of delivering content, the TDPUD could be at risk of not having its DLT application approved. This will require further research to determine whether similar projects have been approved by the RUS where duplicative services are physically available, but unwilling to accommodate community user needs. However, it is likely that the RUS DLT program will be funded for next year. It is never too early to consider options for next year. The CC may be more interested in applying for a grant only application in next year's funding cycle. Next steps for the CC and the DLT: Maintain contact with the CC. Regardless of their finance methods, the CC remains an important anchor tenant of the FTTH project. It is important that the CC project and the FTTH project are compatible with each other. Get more details on CC project, introduce CC project leaders to Harry Hutson and continue exploration of usefulness of RUS DLT program. Medical The medical interest in a telemedicine program is not yet fully developed. However, medical facilities can be key anchor tenants of the FTTH project. The next steps for the medical facility are the same as above for the CC. Other Federal Programs The RUS has just announced anew grant program for community broadband access. We provided Aggregate Networks background information on this program. Although the program would favor more rural and economically challenged communities, Aggregate Networks, on behalf of Truckee, should contact the agency for more details. The application deadline is November Sth. It is competitive on a nationwide basis. If the applications requirements are 650 Warrenville Rd. Suite 103 Lisle, IL 6OS32 630.305.9246 630.305.8808 fax Aggregate relatively close to the material that has to be developed anyway for private finance options, it may be advisable to submit an application to this grant opportunity. In learning about Truckee's telecommunications needs, it became clear that the community has other economic development initiatives, which could be eligible for loan or grant funding through the USDA. Financing for expansion of the hospital or remote clinics, might be eligible for funding under the Community Facilities program. We recommend that Truckee make contact with the USDA State office of Rural Development to explore immediate opportunities and to get Truckee's need folded into the USDA Rural Development state strategic plan. The USDA state office of rural development has a role to play in DLT applications, administers rural housing, business and water programs. We look forward to continuing to work with the TDPUD, Alan Harry and the Board, to deliver the vision of providing an array of"intelligent services"on a broadband network to your community. Sincerely, Rick Kaufmann Co-Founder& Principal Aggregate Networks Laurance Lewis Co-Founder& Principal Aggregate Networks The Honorable Christopher McLean Vice President National Strategies The Honorable Gregory Rohde President E-Copernicus.com 650 Warrenville Rd. Suite 103 Lisle, IL 60532 630.305.9246 630.305.8808 fax 1110111 Staff Report To: Board of Directors From: Alan Harry, Director of Telecommunications Services Date: July 31, 2002 Subject: Discussion of District Broadband Public Relations Program The District has entered into a contract with Pettit Gilwee Public Relations for assistance in developing, and rolling out, a public relations campaign for the Fiber to the Home Initiative. As you know Pettit, and her firm, has been an integral part of the District's 75"'Anniversary program. Attached for your review please find "Public Relations Outreach Campaign for Truckee Donner Public Utility District Broadband Services" prepared by Pettit Gilwee. Pettit will be attending the District's August 7t' Board meeting and will speak to the Board regarding the campaign. 0 Page 1 PETTIT GILWEE public relations PUBLIC RELATIONS OUTREACH CAMPAIGN FOR ® TRUCKEE DONNER PUBLIC UTILITY DISTRICT BROADBAND SERVICES Scope of Public Relations Project: Pettit Gilwee Public Relations will develop and implement a results-oriented public relations outreach campaign designed to generate community awareness and understanding of the Truckee Donner Public Utility District's (TDPUD) plans for broadband services. The campaign will kick off July 2002 and will run through December 2002. All public relations outreach services will be carried out in close coordination with the Client. Those services include the following activities: . Develop an identity and name for broadband system. Design a unique logo to be used as a key element in all collateral and advertising. . Draft message/talking points to be used by staff and highlighted in media materials. . Develop a six-month advertising campaign designed to keep the community abreast of the TDPUD's efforts to offer superior broadband services. . Identify and secure premier advertising placements on an ongoing basis to generate top-of-the-mind awareness about TDPUD broadband plans. Page 1—Broadband Campaign ® Design a dynamic broadband advertising template to be used for all ads, including a banner slogan to jump-start the TDPUD's broadband branding process. Develop and design a one-page broadband handout that explains future TDPUD broadband services in laymen's terms. Distribute at key community events. Identify three opportunities for TDPUD broadband technology public forums, and coordinate all event logistics. Identify three opportunities for TDPUD broadband programming public forums, and coordinate all event logistics. ® Identify informal speaking opportunities at area businesses, such as real estate companies and the Tahoe Forest Hospital. Coordinate all event logistics. ® Develop ongoing master speakers bureau report highlighting current and upcoming informal speaking opportunities and forums to keep telecommunications director abreast of all opportunities. Draft timely news releases featuring broadband technology and programming forums. Distribute to local and regional targeted media outlets, including homeowners associations' newsletters, generating significant media exposure. Develop public service announcements to maintain top-of-the-mind awareness of the TDPUD broadband efforts. Secure placements on the local cable channel. Identify and coordinate broadband speaking opportunities on key television shows, such as Truckee Talks, hosted on the local cable channel. m Develop a special"kick off' event in August to mark the TDPUD's accomplishments in offering cutting edge broadband services, unlike anything else in the country. Identify key political representatives and invite them to attend. Public Relations Campaign Cost: $1725.00 per month,July 2002 to December 2002 ® This flat fee includes fax, photocopy, postage, telephone, travel and mileage. ® This flat fee does not include advertising placement or printing costs. • Pettit Gilwee Public Relations bills on a monthly basis. Invoices,with a detailed status report that highlights work performed and results achieved, are mailed within the first week of the following month.