Chairman Terry Lottes called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m. in the County Administration conference room in the Administration Center, located at 1300 Courthouse Road.

II. Roll Call.

The following members were present: Terry Lottes, Thomas Kimbrell, Alicia Knight, John Johnson, and Edward Sullivan. Tami Watkins with Comcast and Jaybo Johnson with Cox attended the meeting. Also present representing the County were Cathy Riddle and Michele Lansford, Public Information Office.

III. Presentations by the Public

There were no members of the public present.

IV. Approval of Minutes

Mr. Sullivan moved to approve the minutes of the April 24, 2008 meeting; Mr. Kimbrell seconded; the motion passed unanimously.

V. Members’ Concerns

Mr. Sullivan told Mr. Jaybo Johnson that the fiber cable that was installed at his home almost eight weeks ago is still lying across his yard and pool, and across several adjoining yards. Mr. Johnson said he would investigate and make sure a crew buries the cable as soon as possible.

Ms. Knight asked Ms. Watkins if two problems about which they had recently spoken had been resolved – Ms. Watkins said they had.

Mr. Lottes asked Ms. Watkins when construction funding for Stafford projects would become available. She replied that she didn’t know, but that she would check with the correct department at Comcast and forward the information to the members via e-mail.

Mr. Lottes asked Ms. Riddle if the letters to Comcast and Cox alleging failure to meet certain requirements in their franchise agreements had been mailed. She replied that the County Attorney’s Office is reviewing the drafts, and that the commission may need to supply more justification to support the allegations.

Ms. Knight said she received a “service agreement” in her last Comcast bill that seemed to be in conflict with some of the terms of their franchise agreement. She will bring it to the next meeting for staff to give to the County Attorney for review.

VI. Agenda Additions

Ms. Riddle reported that representatives from King George County will attend the commission’s regular meeting in June to talk about hi-speed broadband service in that locality.

VII. New Business

Catherine Hogan Lewis, Verizon’s government relations representative, introduced herself and passed out business cards. Mr. Lottes asked for the status of Verizon’s buildout, to which she replied that the company is working from south Stafford and moving north – she did not have the names of the subdivisions where work is being performed. The next service area will begin at Bells Hill Road and extend from there.

Ms. Knight asked how long it will be before the Verizon buildout is complete. Ms. Lewis said it depends on stipulations in the Verizon franchise agreement. She said that residences in Stafford are “spread out,” that the most densely populated areas are far apart, and that density will determine the buildout.

Ms. Lewis provided the address for a Verizon Web site (www.verizon.com/Virginia) where Stafford residents can type in their ZIP codes to determine if Verizon is building in their neighborhood or nearby. It also provides contact names and phone numbers. She will liaison with commission members and County staff to answer questions.

Closed Meeting: At 7:45 p.m., Mr. Lottes moved, seconded by Mr. Sullivan, to go into a Closed Meeting on the following item:

Legal: To discuss negotiation of the Verizon franchise agreement.
Section 2.2-3711 A7
Code of Virginia

The voting tally was:
Yea: (5) Lottes, Kimbrell, Knight, Johnson, Sullivan

Closed Meeting Certification: at 8:25 p.m., Mr. Lottes moved, seconded y Mr, Kimbrell, to adopt proposed Resolution CM08-07.

Resolution CM08-07 reads as follows:
A RESOLUTION TO CERTIFY THE ACTIONS OF THE STAFFORD
COUNTY CABLE AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION IN A
CLOSED MEETING ON MAY 22, 2008

WHEREAS, the committee has, on this the 22nd day of May, 2008, adjourned into a closed meeting in accordance with a formal vote of the commission and in accordance with provisions of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act; and

WHEREAS, the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, as it became effective July 1, 1989, provides for certification that such Closed Meeting was conducted in conformity with law;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Stafford County Cable and Telecommunications Commission does hereby certify, on this the 22nd day of May, 2008, that to the best of each member’s knowledge: (1) only public business matters lawfully exempted from open meeting requirements under the Virginia Freedom Act were discussed in the Closed Meeting to which this certification applies; and (2) only such public business matters as were identified in the Motion by which the said Closed Meeting was convened were heard, discussed, or considered by the committee. No member dissents from the aforesaid certification.

The voting tally was:
Yea: (5) Lottes, Kimbrell, Knight, Johnson, Sillivan

VIII. Adjournment

At 8:30 p.m., Mr. John Johnson moved to adjourn the meeting; Mr. Sullivan seconded; the motion passed unanimously.