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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. Page 1 of 2 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 Page 1 of 2 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