They are getting so close to producing a final report. Having attended most of these meetings I have to tell you that it’s fun to watch as they get down to the brass tacks of the issues. They will be meeting on Friday. Here’s the meeting info and agenda:

9:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m Friday, October 2, 2009. Location: Thomson Reuters D4 – Special Events Room 610 Opperman Drive Eagan, MN 55123
Agendas and meeting dates available at www.ultra-highspeed-mn.org  

9:30 – 9:45 – Opening comments; review meeting agenda
Approve meeting minutes from September 18th meeting

9:45 – 10:00 – Public comment

10:00 – 10:30 – Ongoing Council – sub-group report
• Approve recommendations
• [Mike O’Connor, Steve Cawley, Mary Ellen Wells, John Stanoch]

10:30 – 11:00 – Recommendation #2 – Policies and actions necessary to achieve ubiquitous broadband – sub-group report
• Review survey results and approve recommendations
• [Mike O’Connor, Brent Christensen, JoAnne Johnson, Diane Wells, Peg Werner, Mary Ellen Wells, Carlos Seoane]

1:00 – 11:15 – Break

11:15 – 11:45 – Recommendation #5 – Evaluation and recommendation of security, vulnerability, and redundancy actions necessary to ensure reliability – sub-group report
• Provide updates since September meeting; finalize and agree on recommendations if possible (if not, agree on what has to happen to come to agreement)
• [Mike O’Connor, Steve Cawley, Craig Taylor, Jack Ries/Gopal Khanna, Shirley Walz]

11:45 – 12:30 – Recommendation #7 – Economic development opportunities & Recommendation #8 – Evaluation of how broadband access can benefit organizations and institutions
• Approve recommendations

12:30 – 1:00 – Break for Lunch

1:00 – 1:30 – Discuss sections of version 5 of the report
• Review and approve Connected Nation language (existing language on page 25)
• [Brent Christensen, Mike O’Connor, Diane Wells for any new/changed language]
• Source for penetration and speed measurements
• Expectations for raisings concerns or issues with existing content
• Agree on final report review process; discuss how full review of version 6 will work at the October 16th meeting

1:45 – 2:45 – Recommendation #4 – Evaluation of strategies, financing, financial incentives used in other states/countries to support broadband development and Recommendation #6 – Cost estimate – sub-group report
• Review sub-group recommendations
[John Gibbs, Dan McElroy, John Stanoch, Dick Sjoberg, Diane Wells]

2:45 – 3:00 – Plans for Upcoming Meetings
• October 16th and 30th at Thomson Reuters
• Report release on November 6th
o Press conference and joint legislative hearing
• November 9th breakfast event
• Blandin Conference in Duluth November 19th 10:45-11:35 a.m. – Panel

3:00 – Closing comments, adjourn meeting