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7.d DRAFT IAC Minutes 01092020Page 1 of 2 City of Scandia 14727 209 th St. N. PO Box 128, Scandia, Minnesota 55073 Phone (651) 433 -2274 Fax (651) 433 -5112 http://www.ci.scandia.mn.us Minutes Internet Action Committee Location: Scandia Community Center, 14727 209th Street N. Thursday, January 9, 2020 at 6:00pm Member Attendance - Chair Bob Wilmers; Marshall Smith; John Carney; K.C. Douglas; and Cathy Mackiewicz Others in Attendance - City Council Liaison Steve Kronmiller; City Council Liaison Patti Ray; City Administrator Ken Cammilleri Absent - None Call to Order – Chair Wilmers called the meeting to order at 6:00pm. Approval of Minutes from January 3, 2019 meeting – The item was tabled by unanimous consent as it was unavailable for review. Selection of Vice Chairman – Motion by Mackiewicz, seconded by Wilmers, to appoint Marshall Smith to be Vice Chair. Motion carried. Right-Sizing of Committee – Members by unanimous consent recommended that the committee size was appropriate as it is. Deed Grant Application - The Committee discussed the status of the Minnesota DEED Grant Application with MIDCO to extend internet services to select neighborhoods in Scandia. No additional information was available as DEED has not yet awarded any grants for this awards cycle. Subordinate Service Districts – The Committee discussed the feasibility and practicality of making use of subordinate service districts as a means to finance internet infrastructure. The Committee agreed that if such a mechanism were to be used, it would require the partnership of local ISPs. It was further agreed that efforts should be made to promote a legislative bill that would empower the City of Scandia to make use of this tool. Committee members requested copies of the legislation and proposed compromises to enhance its chances of advancing through the State Legislature. Cammilleri was requested to share this information with committee members. This item will be revised at the Committee’s next meeting in order to sort out a position that can be presented to the City Council. Status of Local ISP planned buildouts - Committee members agreed that the Committee needs to obtain a better picture of the full extent of expansion plans by both MIDCO and Frontier Communications in order clarify what areas of the community expected not to be served. Wilmers and Ray volunteered to reach out to the representatives of both internet service providers. The Committee indicated that it required this information in order to DRAFT Page 2 of 2 City of Scandia 14727 209 th St. N. PO Box 128, Scandia, Minnesota 55073 Phone (651) 433 -2274 Fax (651) 433 -5112 http://www.ci.scandia.mn.us identify the parameters and costs required to meeting the needs of those who are outside of planned service expansion area. Community Outreach & Communication – Committee members agreed that the group will need to utilize the City’s website, Facebook page, and local newspapers to provide the community with comprehensive information what efforts the City is taking to tackle the issue of access to reliable internet. The Committee agreed to start by reviewing information already available to put together its first comprehensive update on addressing internet shortage. Community Center Upgrade and Public Internet Use – Committee members requested that staff investigate how to make improvements to the City’s existing internet infrastructure to enhance internet availability both within the City’s Community Center and on the grounds. Staff will work with Committee members to identify a proposal on improvements. The Committee also recommended that the city make the Heritage Room available to people who need access to the internet, potentially during City Hall hours. Self-Funded Expansion Opportunities – Members discussed ways to identify potential neighborhoods that might be good candidates to bring together to colaberate on self- funding the infrastructure need to serve their areas. Members agreed that they would start by identifying neighborhoods that are best positioned to take advantage of this opportunity. The Committee members agreed to hold their next meeting on Thursday, November 23rd at 6:00pm. Adjournment – meeting adjourned by motion of Wilmers, seconded by Carney at 8:58pm. Minutes prepared by KEN CAMMILLERI City Administrator/Clerk DRAFT