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IAC Minutes 11-12-2020Page 1 of 3 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 DRAFT Internet Action Committee Location: Online Streaming (Boxcast and GoToMeeting) Thursday, November 12, 2020 at 6:00pm Attendance: K. C. Douglas, Chair Robert Wilmers, John Carney, and Cathy Mackiewicz Absent: Vice Chair Marschall Smith. Also in Attendance: City Council Liaison Patti Ray, City Council Liaison Steve Kronmiller, and City Administrator Ken Cammilleri. Call to Order – Chair Wilmers called the meeting to order at 6:05pm. Approval of Agenda – Motion by Wilmers, seconded by Mackiewicz, to approve the agenda. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote. Approval of Minutes – Motion by Wilmers, seconded by Mackiewicz, to approve the minutes with a corrections to page 3 to clarify the name of “Security State Bank of Marine” and a correction to the explanation about a company called Broadcom on the last page. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote. Public Comments – There were no public comments. Midco 2020 Build-Out – Wilmers reported that the major construction is finished and the company is actively signing up new customers. At the time the take rate was reported at 37%. However, it was noted that this number may include passings with no homes and updates to these figures are pending. The committee also discussed the total number of households and Kronmiller’s service connection progress map. Members also discussed how to obtain information regarding Frontier’s Scandia infrastructure. 240th Street N. Buildout - Wilmers also reported that Midco’s build outs program was going to proceed with construction along 240th Street, but that we do not have a clear picture of exactly what that buildout will ultimately look like. Gammelgården Museum Connection Project - Wilmers reported that he was able to assist the Gammelgården by lending temporary equipment to allow the museum to utilize the existing service at Elim Church. The ultimate plan is to see a grant. The Midco Foundation offers grants to nonprofits throughout their service area, which is likely a probable avenue to help fund a direct connection to the museum. The estimated cost of trenching a connection was around $1,950. Page 1 of 3 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 Broadband Expansion Grant Letters of Support - Ray reported efforts to obtain letters of support for the upcoming grant application. 9 have been received to date and 3 letters were returned. Ray noted that she will continue to promote letters of support. Buildout Progress Map – The Committee reviewed the buildout project map developed by Kronmiller. Cammilleri was directed to put the buildout progress map on the website. Formation of a 501 C 3 Nonprofit – Ray suggested that the community form a non- profit to support internet expansion. Smith will be assisting with completing the filing necessary to establish the organization. She suggested that the non-profit could help provide financial assistance to households who face financial difficulties with paying for a connection. The initial goal would be to raise $10,000. City Funding - Ray also noted that there is $85,000 in funds set aside in the City’s budget to help provide grants to assist with connection costs. The idea is to encourage neighborhood initiated buildouts. Dig Once Program – Ray noted that there are 4 homes on the eastern half of 220th Street N. that could get conduit runs to expand Midco services. During the 2021 Road Reconstruction Project. This would be bid out in the spring. Costs of these improvements will be included in the engineering specifications. Wilmers was tasked to discuss this opportunity with Midco. It was suggested that we work with MNDOT as they also have a dig once program. StarLink Option - Carney reported that Starlink is a new low orbit satellite internet service and that the service is currently beta testing in our area as we are in the northern latitudes. Invitations are going out, and Douglas noted that her household received an invitation. Service offers reasonable speeds and reasonable prices. Carney also shared an article from PC Magazine with the Committee regarding the service. Frontier Engagement – Wilmers noted that our follow-up with Frontier will depend on the state and federal grant awards and what information we can obtain from the Minnesota Attorney General’s settlement with the company. City Website / IAC Page / Single Source for Internet Expansion Information – Cammilleri requested that members provide him with a summary of desired updates so that these can be included on the site. The Committee noted that they would like to improve the website content and to keep up with updates. They noted that they would work to combine all content onto the City page. Wilmers Website - The Committee also discussed how information about the Internet Expansion Project could be better displayed and promoted on the City’s website. Page 1 of 3 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 Next Meeting Date – The Committee agreed to hold its next meeting on Thursday December 17, 2020 at 6:30pm. The meeting will be conducted electronically and telephonically if the Governor’s Executive Order continues existing requirements. Adjournment – The Committee adjourned at 7:51pm upon successful motion by Carney, seconded by Douglas. Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote. Minutes Prepared by: Ken Cammilleri, City Administrator