SOUTHEAST UNDERGROUND FACILITY PROTECTION COUNCIL

MEETING MINUTES

March 3, 1998

Chairman Danny Lee started meeting at 10:10 am with self-introductions around the table. See the attached list of attendees.

Carl Croft, Secretary, reviewed the meeting minutes from the November meeting in Brasstown and apologized for not sending out minutes of the conference call setting the March third meeting.

Danny went over the new standard for listing the One-Calls in the phone book on the emergency information page. This created a lot of discussion on how to get this implemented as a standard for all the independent telephone companies. As a result Danny has an action item to get a letter out to the One-Calls explaining the plan so they can get this in front of the various state Telephone Associations. An action item was also listed for each member company of the SE UFPC to contact their member of the state Telephone Association and educate them on the need to follow BELLSOUTH's Lead. Danny is also working to get the One-Call numbers into the "on-line" directory.

The Mission Statement was reviewed and all agreed it still fits the needs and direction of this group.

The goals were reviewed and reset throughout the meeting. The current goals are listed at the end of the minutes.

Ron Horne asked about an old action item to establish a web page. Carl admitted he had failed to complete this task and would welcome help. The address is established and Angela from GA UPC is ready to put our page up whenever we are ready. A committee was formed to complete this project, Ron Horne, Pat Chenoweth, Carl Croft and Angela Wallace.

Discussion ensued about how many and which trade shows the SEUFPC should try to cover. A committee was formed to cover this topic and they will report back at the next meeting. We already covered the LICA show in Nashville this year and we think we will do the Damage Prevention Convention in December.

Discussions turned to what we should use as a standard handout. A committee was formed to look into this with a leaning towards a standard Southeast color code card being the item. The card will state that the colors are the APWA Standards and will include only the APWA recognized colors. It was suggested that the new nationwide number be used, Carl Croft stated that this number was not to be used in promotions because it adds to the cost of completing a locate request. As part of the sales pitch to get the One-Call Centers to buy into supporting the nationwide number, we assured them that we would not promote the nationwide number over the local numbers.

Carl Croft was asked to speak to the National Telecommunications Damage Prevention Committee about having that group cover the 1999 NUCA show in Long Beach, CA.

Our next meeting dates were set:

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The June 4th date was set realizing that the Southern Builders show is in Atlanta on June 5 and 6. Anyone wishing to help out with this show please contact Kelly or Becky at the GA UPC, 770-623-4332.

Carl Croft asked for help in presenting to all the CSX safety meetings next year. With the reduction of AT&T's contact rep force all of us need to get involved in getting to these meetings and presenting. We also need to continue to beg CSX for these schedules as early as possible so we can coordinate attendance at these events. Carl will forward the schedules as he gets them next year.

Each of the One-Call Centers represented gave a brief recap of their center's recent and upcoming activities:

North Carolina One-Call will be the first One-Call to come up on the new OCARS PRO platform. The anticipated turn on date is March 16. This system will be internet based for ticket delivery and requests. The NC DOT is signing up their traffic signals with NCOC. To make this work NCOC is working out a database for NC DOT for selected intersections plus 300'. This is a first step in getting DOT to sign up all of their facilities. The Joint NC and SC UCC meeting is scheduled for May 7 and 8. NC has set a goal of having 80% of all tickets gridded by years end. They are working on opening a satellite center with a 35% split of the call volume being handled by the satellite center.

Georgia UPC expects to have the new OCARS PRO up and running in April, the current published date for cutting over is July 1. They also expect to turn on their Positive Response system within weeks after getting OCARS PRO completed. A new program has begun at UPC called the Locator Incentive Program or LIP. This will be a monthly, quarterly and annual award to a locator for doing a good job and going above and beyond. Anyone can nominate a locator for this award. The latest version of GA One-Call legislation eliminates the exemption for Water and Sewer departments. Claudette had to help the municipalities understand and get behind the change, which will take effect July 1. They have started their school program for grade schools, which uses digger the dog as a way to teach children about the Call Before You Dig message. NUCA has started a program of getting the message out to the apprentice programs.

Florida One-Call is working on going "in house". They are constructing a 15,000 square foot building which should complete by years end. They will also be purchasing OCARS PRO for their in house center. They hired a FL UCA person at the call center and on 10/1/97 membership in the One-Call became mandatory.

Alabama has windows!!!! When the call center moved to their new location they got actual look outside windows, which must have had a positive effect, based on the excitement it has generated. They also will be looking at upgrading their system to OCARS PRO. Don't forget to attend their annual meeting on March 17th if you are in the area. They are also working on getting a telecommuting employee set up.

South Carolina, PUPS, is buying the new ETAC map based system which will allow polygonal boundary screening of tickets. This is now up and running in Arizona and per Glynn Smith SC has learned for them Arizona experience how to avoid the pit falls, ticket delivery will be via the internet. Glynn has also been working with a company to get a working ground penetrating radar system to find buried PVC facilities. Remember to attend the joint NC/SC UCC meeting May 7 and 8.

Tennessee has had their web page open for a year now and it includes an avenue to send in a ticket request. They have been updating the page regularly to keep it interesting and vital. The hits on the ticket request through this venue have not really taken off yet. TN currently has five people telecommuting and it has proven very successful for both TN and the employees. This years legislative efforts include increasing the penalties, changing the ticket life from 10 working days to 15 calendar days, and requiring two hour response by members on emergency dig requests. The consortium of states that have been working with Neil Shaffer on a new map based platform will see the fruits of their labor come closer to reality next week. The new platform will begin it beta testing at TN and one week later in Arkansas. This will allow polygonal boundary screening and version two will include Internet access with a June cut over date planned. Two contractor events are coming up in TN, March 17 in Knoxville and March 20th in Chattanooga. Remember to attend the TN Annual meeting on March 12.

Discussion revolved around the document that Sammy Johnson supplied of all the rental agents in the SE states. We need an action plan for getting them to set up a display of call be fore you dig information. Claudette reported how much it cost UFPO in NY to complete the task. It was decided that for the time being perhaps this task should be left up to the local UCC groups.

Carl recapped the action items, which are attached.

There being no further business, Danny Lee thanked everyone for their attendance, and participation, thanked Robert LeCour and WorldCom for hosting the meeting and providing lunch, then closed the meeting.

These minutes respectfully submitted by Carl Croft Secretary

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ACTION ITEMS

Danny Lee to send a letter within the week to the One Call Centers detailing the "standard" layout of the One-Call numbers in their phone directories.

One Call Centers will use the letter supplied by Danny Lee to try to get the Independent Telephone Association members to list the One-Calls in the same manner.

Each of the SEUFPC Members will find out who their representative is at the Telephone Association and educate them on the need to standardize the telephone directory listings of the One-Call Centers.

WEB page committee of Ron Horne, Pat Chenoweth, Angela Wallace and Carl Croft to prepare a web page. Carl will alert SE UFPC members via E Mail to review and send along suggestions.

Show Committee of Jeff Showers and Bill Turner will review which shows SE UFPC should try to cover.

Handout Committee of Joe Torres and Bill Buchanan will work on a standard handout for use at the shows and for members to use.

Carl to alert NTDPC of the need to get on the NUCA show list so they can cover the NUCA show in Long Beach in 1999.

Everyone who can help with the Southern Builders Show on June 5 and 6 should contact Becky or Kelly at GA UPC 770-623-4332.

Claudette will up date our new member's package, AKA The Warm Fuzzy book.

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GOALS

Get Telephone Association members to participate.

Get Telephone Association to buy into the standard listing for One-Call Centers.

Cover at least two trade shows per year to deliver the CBUD Message.

Get the SE UFPC Web page up.

SUCCESSES

BELLSOUTH DIRECTORY listings

Orange Emergency Cards handed out via GA UCA.

ICUEE show and survey.

Video library donations to GA UCA

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ATTENDEES

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This page was updated on Thursday, May 27, 1999

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