Loudoun County Communications Commission Meeting - February 27, 2025
Loudoun County Communications Commission Meeting - February 27, 2025
Note: The agenda and transcript indicate the meeting took place on February 24, 2025, but the instructions specify using February 27, 2025. This summary uses the instructed date.
The Loudoun County Communications Commission held a virtual meeting on February 27, 2025, at 7:00 PM. The meeting addressed franchise agreements with Comcast, formation of a subcommittee to analyze wireless gaps, and updates on broadband projects.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of the Agenda: Approved unanimously.
- Approval of Minutes from January 27, 2025: Approved unanimously.
Public Comments & Testimony
- No members of the public signed up to speak.
Discussion Items
- Comcast Franchise Agreements with Towns: Commissioner Littleton raised concerns about stalled negotiations with several towns, notably Middleburg, where Comcast offered a "take it or leave it" agreement 18 months ago. Terms included unlimited infrastructure rights which the town found unacceptable. Comcast's Dexter Williams stated he was unaware of active negotiations and agreed to investigate and provide a status report on franchise agreements for all seven towns.
- Formation of a Subcommittee on Wireless Gaps: Staff informed the commission that forming a formal subcommittee requires approval through the Finance/Government Operations/Economic Development Committee and the Board of Supervisors, a lengthy process. Alternative approaches were discussed: (1) pairing commissioners to work on deliverables without triggering open meeting requirements; (2) using existing meeting time for focused work. Concerns about FOIA and record retention for any external collaboration tools were raised. Staff will explore if the county has an approved collaboration tool. Commissioner Bibey (absent) was previously assigned to lead this work.
- VATI Broadband Project Update: Commissioner Ryan reported the first customer was installed late last week, two months behind schedule. Staff clarified that the October 31, 2025 deadline refers to middle-mile and last-mile completion, not installation for individual homes. An update from All Points Broadband and staff is scheduled for the March 18 Board of Supervisors meeting and the March 24 commission meeting.
- New Business – Public Wi-Fi and Transportation Tracking: Commissioner Solitario proposed exploring public Wi-Fi in parks and real-time tracking for public transportation (e.g., in Leesburg). Some members questioned whether these fall under the commission's charter. The chair suggested they could be considered as part of the wireless gap analysis work stream pending further validation against bylaws.
Key Outcomes
- Action Item 258 (Attendance Requirement): Closed unanimously after staff confirmed no franchise agreement requires Comcast or Verizon to attend monthly meetings.
- New Action Items:
- Commissioner Littleton will compile a list of all seven towns' franchise agreement status from each town (not just Comcast) and share with staff.
- Staff will investigate whether the county has an approved third-party collaboration tool that meets FOIA and record retention requirements.
- Next Meeting: Scheduled for March 24, 2025, expected to be in person.
- Adjournment: Motion carried unanimously.
Meeting Transcript
And we do not have anyone to speak tonight. Excellent. All right. Well, I will convene the Loudon County Communications Commission meeting of Monday, February 24th, 2025. This will be a virtual meeting. The public observance and link has been made available and this agenda posted. We don't have anyone signed up for public comment this evening. So without any objection, I will seek a motion to approve the agenda. So moved. Second. All right. Excellent. All those in favor. Aye. Yeah. With excuse me, with a with a virtual meeting, we'll have to go around the room to collect those. Greg Stone, aye. Scott Farberai. Patrick Ryan I. Virginleton I. And Jason Kennedy. I are there any abstentions or objections. Tom, you're on mute. There's a detail. Tom solitary OI. Excellent. So the agenda. The agenda is approved. The first order of business then is the approval of the minutes. Has everyone received and had ample opportunity to review those minutes? If so, we'll seek a motion to approve the minutes as presented. So moved. Seconded. All those in favor say aye. Greg Stone, I Scott Farbaraye. Tom Solitario, I. Virgilton I. Can I make a recommendation real quickly? If I can make a recommendation, Dave, if you could just call the roll, it'll probably be a little more efficient. For votes, yes, I will do that. Yeah, for votes. That'd be great. Thanks. Okay. And Jason Kennedy, I uh are the any abstentions or objections to the minutes as presented. Hearing none, the minutes of our prior meeting, January 27th are approved. Um this is our time for public comment and discussion. We don't have any members of the public signed up to speak this evening. Is that correct, Dave? Yes, that is correct.
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