IAC Minutes 6-10-2021Page 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.cityofscandia.com
Internet Action Committee
Meeting Minutes
Location: The Scandia Community Center
14727 209th Street N. Scandia, Minnesota
Online Streaming on Zoom
Thursday, June 10, 2021 at 6:30pm
Members in attendance: John Carney, Marschall Smith, Robert Wilmers and Nick
Santrach (joined at 7:40pm).
Others in attendance: City Council Liaison Patti Ray and City Administrator Ken
Cammilleri.
Absent: K.C. Douglas.
Call to Order- Wilmers called the meeting to order at 6:37pm.
Approval of Agenda – Wilmers motioned, with a second from Smith to approve the
agenda with an amendment to add an update on Midco Day. Motion carried with no
comment.
Approval of the Minutes - The April 15, 2021 meeting minutes were tabled to be
brought to the committee’s July meeting.
Public Comments – There were no public comments.
Frontier Update – Wilmers reported to the committee that he reached out to Frontier
Communications regarding a possible visit. The company indicated that they would be
willing to join a future meeting but their opportunities to potentially do special projects
were limited due to their recent exit from bankruptcy.
Midco Day – Ray reported that there will again be another storyboard event cookout at
Lilleskogen Park on August 25th to promote the take rate for expanded service areas.
The storyboard theme has not been finalized yet, but the contest will be similar to last
year’s event. Meisters is also planned to cater the event. The costs of the event will be
covered by Midco.
RDOF Update – There were no new updates.
DRAFT
Page 2 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.cityofscandia.com
2019 Border-to-Border Broadband Grant with Midco (2020 Buildout) – It was reported
that Midco would be in the process of closing out this grant with DEED next week
Friday. Cammilleri indicated that payment would be able to be made by the City after
confirmation of grant completion is received from DEED. Concern was expressed over
the timing of payment. Cammilleri indicated that arrangements could be made for a
special City Council meeting to accommodate a special payment request. Otherwise, a
payment could be authorized on July 7 when the City Council meets for its work
session.
Website Update – Wilmers reported that he is preparing an update to be sent to
Cammilleri to post.
Frontier Invite – Wilmers reported that he will be inviting the company to explain their
plans and to allow the committee to engage with them.
Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Starlink Critique – Wilmers reported that there was a report in
the meeting packet.
DEED Mapping Tool - The Committee discussed the data and maps being made
available to the public. The data found at https://mn.gov/deed/programs-
services/broadband/maps/ offers details on this years and the previous year buildout
that was completed by Midco.
Recap Conversations with Diane Wells of Minnesota Office of Broadband Development
& Justin Forde of Midco – Wilmers provided a recap on his conversations noting that
this year’s buildout is currently in progress. He also noted that we are still waiting to
hear what criteria will be in the next round of Border to Border Broadband Grants.
Before and After - DEED/RDOF Adjustment to Project – The Committee discussed
RDOF Update to the 2020 Grant currently being built out this year.
Policy Question Regarding City’s Broadband Funding / Proposed Motion – The
Committee discussed whether or not the City should fund within RDOF areas. The
Committee members decided that there was no specific rule that would discredit the
completion of buildout in RDOF territory if the city continued to fund buildout with
Midco. It was agreed to not recommend changes to the current approach for funding.
Items for Future Discussion – The Committee to continue to revisit regular updates
regarding DEED and RDOF funding and other buildout projects with Midco. They also
decided that they would revisit the next City Capital budget request with supporting cost
estimates.
Next Meeting – The Committee determined that their next meeting will be Thursday, July
15, 2021 at 6:30pm.
Adjournment – Motion by Wilmers, seconded by Carney to adjourn at 8:25pm. Motion
carried.
DRAFT