DRAFT

CITY OF ROCKY RIVER

Community Meeting

JUNE 8, 2006

The Community Meeting was opened by Mrs. Bobst, President of Council, at 7:00 p.m in the Community Room of the Don Umerley Civic Center.

President Bobst stated that the purpose of the meeting was to discuss the topic of AT&T's Project Lightspeed which has been under consideration by the City since last year. Noting that there is great excitement about the technology, the competitive environment and state-of-the-art services, there is still great concern about the impact on the public right-of-way because it is clear that the launch of services requires that additional cabinetry be built close to existing equipment. Questions have been raised by the Administration, City Council and residents about health, safety, welfare and esthetic issues regarding the buildout.

President Bobst then introduced Kevin Lynch of AT&T who was scheduled to make a 15-minute presentation which would be followed by public comment.

Mr. Lynch thanked City officials for their cooperation. He indicated that the project has been under way since mid-October. He commented that AT&T would like to share the newest technology with residents, and this project will update the telephone network and invest in the next generation of technology. To that end, AT&T plans to invest $4.6 billion in its 13-state area (formerly SBC) in order to be able to offer customers additional services of high speed internet and voice over internet services. It anticipates that 50% of households in the area will respond, as it offers strong competition to existing cable services.

Mr. Lynch then proceeded to a power point presentation which included the following points:

• •Over the next two to three years, AT&T hopes to provide these new services to 19 million homes in its 13-state footprint.
• •As demand for more services and faster speeds increases, fiberoptics are needed in place of copper wire. Currently, there are mini-central offices in the neighborhood; under Project Lightspeed, speed will be increased with additional equipment.
• •Benefits will be greater reliability and more functionality in phone service, availability of the latest technology with more flexibility.
• •AT&T proposes spending $1.4 billion in 2006; $1.7 billion in 2007 and $1.3 billion in 2008.
• •Among features to be offered: on-line movie library, high-definition TV with surround sound, DVR with all its flexibility, voice over internet protocol, music and photo sharing, games and multiple camera angles on sports events broadcasts.
• •Cox Cable basic rates have risen 25% over the last 3 years from $36.75 to $45.95.
• •Project Lightspeed is being tested in parts of San Antonio.
• •AT&T supports cities' oversight of the public right-of-way and is willing to pay fees, contribute community programming and publish emergency notices.

Following the power point presentation, a short film demonstrating the above benefits was shown.

Mr. Lynch then thanked the City once more for its cooperative attitude. He indicated that the company hoped to complete the first wave of the buildout in three years. It has completed seven of the new equipment installations and provided the City with information on the location of future installations. For now, no new technology has been deployed. During this wave, engineers will look at the most feasible locations, usually close to existing equipment. No new lines will be installed, but the existing network will be used. In areas with underground equipment, lines will remain in place and the infrastructure will not be disturbed.

Mrs. Bobst reported additional information: AT&T is a regulated public utility with access to the public right-of-way as any other utility. The City is working closely with AT&T and is also discussing drafts of right-of-way management legislation which will allow the City oversight for current requests as well as future requests for use of the public rights-of-way. Also under review is the video competition agreement which will satisfy the level playing field provision of the City's existing cable franchise agreement.

Mrs. Bobst has also worked with and contacted other groups:

• •The Cuyahoga County Mayors and Managers Association
• •The State Attorney General for an opinion about the status of AT&T as a regulated public utility in view of its competitive services
• •The PUCO
• •State Representative Sally Conway Kilbane and U.S. Representative Dennis Kucinich about a pending bill in the House of Representatives concerning COPE which provides relief to those companies paying local franchise fees
• •The Ohio Municipal League, working on behalf of cities.

The Council President reiterated that the City wants AT&T to be successful and welcomes competition. The values of the community matter, however, and residents have expressed concern. Those most directly affected by the buildout have been invited to tonight's meeting. The City has always sought resident input and received it in matters important to them, such as the recently completed and adopted Master Plan which is available on the City's website, www.rrcity.com.

AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION:

Bob Magalen, 21016 Aberdeen, said that he was directly affected. He referred to visual aids he had brought, life-size cardboard models of the equipment boxes and a tarp representing the pad on which they rest. He indicated that these models are the size of the equipment boxes which have been built at Bonnie Bank and Wooster. He noted that the pad is 7'x7' and there are high voltage markings on the boxes. In his case, the boxes would be located next to his driveway. Pointing out that there are children in the neighborhood, he asked if AT&T would bear the liability if his inability to see caused him to injure a child. The box on the pole is 4'x2'x10".

• •Mr. Lynch asserted that the cabinet size is 63" high, 43 ½ " wide and 21" deep. When those figures were contested, Mr. Lynch explained that that was the measurement of the standard box. In some cases a neighborhood cross/connect box is necessary, but not all installations would include this additional equipment.



• •To further explain, Mrs. Bobst introduced Tom Fogarty, an AT&T engineer who told residents of the difficulty of placing the cross box too far from the original equipment. When this is done, technology is lost, and residents at the edge of the service area of 100-400 homes will lose service. He said that the best location for the box on Aberdeen is its present location.

Craig Irish, 21010 Aberdeen, said that AT&T has minimized box sizes and the large pads. Further, it has given the impression that cities across the country have accepted this plan. On the contrary, he cited examples such as Walnut Creek and Livermore, California which are fighting the plan. He commented that good technology should be small and well-camouflaged and asked who is looking at esthetics. He asked for flexibility on the location and compromise to meet community standards.

Sheryl Magalen, 21016 Aberdeen, asked why the installations cannot be placed underground where they would look better and be safer.

• •Mr. Lynch responded that currently the boxes must be the size they are and above ground. He hopes that in a short time the equipment will get smaller, but the current technology is above-ground where they afford access for maintenance, air circulation, and are able to dissipate heat.

Nancy Calcott, 21105 Aberdeen, said that she was certain that in 10 years there will be no need for these. She was concerned that once the boxes are in place, they will be there permanently.

• •Mrs. Bobst assured her that there is a provision in the contract which will require the company to remove any abandoned equipment.

Warren Cox, 21121 Aberdeen, agrees with Dr. Irish and Mrs. Calcott. He acknowledged that many decisions have been made by others. He cited examples where AT&T had worked with communities which were not happy with the esthetics. He asked what venues could be pursued and for the name of a person to contact so that their voices could be heard.

• •Mr. Lynch commented that his company had worked with Rocky River in moving a site at the request of the City at Hilliard and I-90, for example. He noted that many boxes are planned or installed on private or public easements. He has also worked with the City to screen the boxes where feasible.

Mr. Cox then asked if a private easement might be possible six houses west of the current location on a lot which considered unbuildable. Mr. Lynch indicated that engineers had walked the neighborhood and determined the best location. To change, the added cost must be weighed.

Jack Calcott, 21105 Aberdeen, acknowledged that the size and configuration of each installation would vary depending upon what presently exists. He asked about the size and cabinetry which would be required for the Aberdeen site.

• •Mrs. Bobst commented that all residents would want specifics of their site, and asked residents to see the engineer following the meeting for such specific information.

Susan Godfrey, 20982 Lake Road (at Wagar), was surprised that any utility company would anger potential customers, and she feels that the placement of the box shows a lack of respect for customers, and little thought to the impact that it will have on neighborhoods. Phone companies have done little to upgrade their infrastructure. She wondered if any division heads or the company CEO will have to look at a similar box from their front doors.

Kim Irish, 21010 Aberdeen, asked how many AT&T officials have seen the installation on her street. She showed pictures of the street and its many trees and green areas. In five years, she feels certain that the technology will permit smaller installations and added that it is not just technology that is important, but also people.

Kevin Connors, 20001 Bonnie Bank, asked if these installations go against the Master Plan.

• •Mrs. Bobst explained that the Master Plan is a guide to development which discusses what is important to residents among Rocky River's assets, and the fact that the City is primarily residential.

Mr. Connors then asked why a vacant property was chosen for the initial installation. It was not until after the boxes were installed that anyone on the street realized what was happening.

Al Sulin, 21130 Aberdeen, asked the company to consider who its customers will be and wondered why the company is alienating them. He considers the installations a blight on the community and a safety hazard for the children. He placed the company on notice that it is installing an "attractive nuisance" and a traffic hazard because vision is impaired when exiting the driveway. He noted that residents do have alternatives to this service.

Dave Magalen, Aberdeen Road, works with computers. He indicated that the although this gateway is closer to the signal booster, there is plenty of distance and asked why it cannot be moved further away. He noted that access for repairs would make screening with shrubs and bushes difficult.

• •Mr. Fogarty responded that the box is not a booster, but needs to go to the point where copper wire will take the signal to the house.

Margie Sulin, 21130 Aberdeen, asked what percentage of the company's anticipated revenue comes from its status as a public utility, i.e., from customers' phone bills. Mr. Lynch stated that those figures are not readily available, and that he will investigate and advise the Administration.

Tim Piai, 20095 Bonnie Bank, asserted that he and his neighbors are glum about the installation and asked if anyone looked into the esthetics, which he says are unacceptable. He would love those services, but not from this type of installation. He was unaware of the buildout until it was completed, and he said that he and his neighbors are discouraged, and to a person, feel that the structures are ugly.

Ron Windahl, 28 Brandon Place, lives on a private drive whose exit is well-terraced. He frequently sees AT&T trucks, often more than two in a row parked on the drive near the exit. He feels this is a safety issue. It does not appear that men are working in the area. He asked if, with more equipment, more visits would be made by these trucks.

• •Mrs. Bobst advised Mr. Windahl to contact the Safety-Service Department which would send someone to the site.

Ted Gardiner, 27 Hidden Valley, commented that he thought the technology was great. He asked how much this service will cost. Since AT&T has quoted Cox rates, he would like to compare their rates with AT&T basic service.

• •Mr. Lynch acknowledged that he had no answer for that question at this time.

Erika Pilisy, 3169 Linden Place, felt that it shows a lack of respect on the part of the company not to have asked about interest in the service before installation. She said that many senior citizens will not want this service. She, too, would like to know the cost of the service, and finally, she wanted to know if there is a danger of high voltage if a car should run into one of the boxes.

Sandy Carson, 11 Hidden Valley, has a box located close to her home which she has used as a signpost to direct friends to her home. Since their tree lawns are narrow, she wondered where the additional boxes can go.

Tom Long, 19976 Bonnie Bank, lives in the house across from the buildout and sees it daily. Since it has been installed, and probably, nothing can be done about it, he asked that AT&T consider painting both the boxes and the aluminum poles to blend into the surrounding area and lessen the eye impact.

Margaret Fetsko, 20967 Morewood , expressed concern for the safety of the many children in the neighborhood. Because they are so large, the boxes obstruct the vision of drivers and this places the children at risk. She would like to see the technology underground, or at least miniaturized. Finally, she was concerned about the health hazards of the situation, noting that engineers do not know about health hazards.

• •Mrs. Fetsko's daughter also came forward with articles gathered from the internet warning of health dangers of electromagnetic equipment. She asserted that she had felt a strong vibration. Mrs. Bobst noted that the installation had not yet been made in their neighborhood.

In closing, President Bobst commented that she greatly appreciated all the residents who had taken time to attend this meeting and express their views. She said that this sharing of thoughts is what community is about, and she hopes that through this communication, the City will be able to effectively work with AT&T toward a successful launch of Project Lightspeed.

If other residents have further comments, she encouraged them to e-mail, write or call - or to attend Council meetings.

As there were no further comments, the Community Meeting was closed by Mrs. Bobst at 8:35 p.m.

______________________________ ______________________________

Pamela E. Bobst Misao Kurokawa

President of Council Clerk of Council

Please note: This is a draft copy of the minutes of the Community Meeting of June 8, 2006. These minutes may be revised or amended at the next Legislative Meeting.