IAC Minutes 03122020City 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
Internet Action Committee
Minutes
Location: Scandia Community Center, 14727 209th Street N.
Thursday, March 12, 2020 at 6:00pm
Attendance: Marshall Smith; John Carney; and Bob Wilmers.
Absent: KC Douglas and Cathy Mackiewicz
Also in attendance: Council Liason Patti Ray; Council Liason Steve Kronmiller; City
Administrator Ken Cammilleri.
Call to order – Wilmers called the meeting to order at 6:09pm.
Approval of Agenda – Motion by Wilmers, seconded by Smith, to approve the agenda.
Motion carried.
Review and consideration of approval of meeting minutes for January 23, 2020 – The
meeting minutes for January 23, 2020 was tabled for next meeting.
Justin Forde from Midco joined the meeting by phone. He reported on the status of the
2020 DEED grant and on future federal grant opportunities through the FCC’s Rural
Opportunity Fund. Grant awards through the Rural Opptunity Fund are anticipated to be
awarded through a reverse auction process, which will improve Midco’s opportunity to
obtain funding. Forde reported that there was a reasonable probablity to obtain project
funding from these sources in the future, although he noted some reseach may be necessary.
Forde also provided his comments on subordinate service districts for clarification to the
committee.
Forde suggested that the City should provide Midco with another letter of support for
another grant and include its commitment to provide a local contribution. Motion by
Carney, seconded by Smith, to make a request to the City Council to agree to providing this
letter on behalf of the Mayor. Motion carried.
The committee also identified a local grant program might be a tool in the future to consider
in order to help close financing gaps for expansion. No action was taken on this matter.
The Committee also made a request to Midco to supply the City with rough estimated costs
for the completion of a final buildout of broadband nextworks in the City. Forde indicated
that he would look into providing the information. Forde reiterated Midco’s commitment to
the community.
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
Update from Frontier regarding network opportunities—Carney and Smith reported on
information that was provided to them from their recent contact with Frontier. Cammilleri
will provide Wilmer with the contact information for the local Frontier engineer.
Exploring opportunities to coordinate opportunities with adjoining communities – The
Committee noted that there is a possible opportunity to partner with Marine on St. Croix
with regard to their new cell tower. Two members volunteered to reach out to the group
behind the project to explore collaborative opportunities.
Updates on voluntary associations of neighbors – The Committee noted that there may be
an opportunity for 8 household on Mallard Avenue North to obtain service. A
neighborhood meeting is being arranged to discuss the possibility.
Update on Community Center Wireless Network Improvements – Kronmiller provided the
committee with an update on the network mapping project and its progress.
The Committee set their next tenative next meeting on Thursday April 2nd at 6:00pm.
Adjournment – The meeting was adjourned at 7:38pm upon the successful motion of Smith,
Seconded by Carney.