8.c Internet Action Committee Minutes 7-9-2020 DRAFTSCANDIA
Internet Action Committee
Location: Online Streaming (Boxcast and GoToMeeting)
Thursday, July 9, 2020 at
Attendance: K. C. Douglas, Chair Robert Wilmers,Carney
Absent: Cathy Mackiewicz, and Vice Chair Marschall Smith.
Also in Attendance: City Council Liaison Patti Ray, City Council U Steve Kronmiller,
City Administrator Ken Cammilleri, Justin Forde, Midco Senior Direct Government
Relations, and Melissa Wolf, Midco Government Relations Manager.
IN
Call to Order — Chair Wilmers called the eeting to order at
6:05pm.
Approval of Agenda — Motion by Carney, secon ed by Douglas, to approve the agenda but
to move up the discussion of this year's Midco Broadband expansion project and discussion
of the Broadband Expansion Po follow the approval oinutes. Motion carried.
Approval of Minutes from June 11, 2020 — Motion by Carney, seconded by Douglas to
approve th s of the June 11 th meting. Motion carried.
Upd the 202 nesota DEED Broadband Expansion Grant Project with
MID orde repor to the committee that construction has already started for the
project, an ted that in the near Ak, the City will be notified who the project
coordinator will be. Service connections will be rolling and will not be completed all at
once. Not all of the 270 service passings will be on lots with homes.
Prospects for the *Minnesota DEED Broadband Expansion Grant and the Rural
Digital Opportunity Fuy*(RDOF) — Forde reported that Midco is still in the process of
identifying potential future expansion areas for inclusion in the DEED grant
application. Forde also noted that he could not confirm whether Midco's participation on
RDOF will include Scandia. There are congressional discussions about expanding RDOF
funding, but this has not made any formal progress.
Midco Ribbon Cutting Ceremony — Midco will be coordinating a ribbon cutting ceremony
with the City to encourage service take rates on Wednesday, September 16`'. The event
would consist of a story board exhibit that will include Scandia Elementary Student's
thoughts on having access to the internet. Food will be served.
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City of Scandia
14727 209th St. N. PO Box 128, Scandia, Minnesota 55073
Phone (651) 433-2274 Fax (651) 433-5112 http://www.ci.scandia.mn.us
The event will be promoted with a press release, which will be prepared by Midco's Media
Relations Division. The plan is to get the attention of local newspapers and TV news. It
was further recommended that photos of the event and a thank you letter be sent to the
DEED Commissioner and Broadband Division staff.
Update on Community Center Wireless Internet Improvements — Cammilleri reported
that the public wireless network is now up and running. Staff will be working to make
additional improvements, but the network has strong reception inside the Community
Center and in the parking lot. He also noted that the Washington County Library System
will be making hotspots available for checkout to help those with limited access to the
internet.
Discussion and review of 1" draft of the Scandia Broadbd Ex P ansion Plan —The
Committee discussed the challenges of adopting a map as pof its expansion
plan. Wilmers noted that it would be impossible to developxpansion map that would
reliably convey what would be a likely expansion area, short of a committed and funded
project. The Committee agreed that it would be best to inform the c munity of current
progress and anticipated activities through a page on the City's websi providing
PowerPoint updates as significant developments occur. A
Discussion of Mitigating Installation I�OSts for Properties with Large Home Setbacks —
Wilmers noted that one way to mitigate the costs of running long service lines to homes
might be by creating a wireless "hop" solution. T e option only requires that there is
electricity available to ower a modem and a wire vice to g the internet connection to
a home.
Discussion of Signa oosting E Devi — Kronmiller shared Sprint's Magic Box
which helps boost data signals and helps increa ireless speeds.
Defin' - Th—e"Tommittee looked at the definitions provided in the packet and identified
some for further follow up wi41Vlidco.
Next Mee ate — The Iommittee agreed to hold its next meeting on Thursday, August
13, 2020 at 6: pm. The meeting will be conducted electronically and telephonically if the
Governor's ExecutiOrder continues the existing requirements.
Adjournment — The e adjourned at 7:30pm upon successful motion by Carney,
seconded by Mackiewicz.
Minutes Prepared by:
Ken Cammilleri, City Administrator
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City of Scandia
14727 209th St. N. PO Box 128, Scandia, Minnesota 55073
Phone (651) 433-2274 Fax (651) 433-5112 http://www.ci.scandia.mn.us