DRAFT IAC Minutes 10 21 2021
CITY OF SCANDIA
INTERNET ACTION COMMITTEE
Minutes
Thursday, October 21, 2021
6:30 p.m.
Location: Scandia Community Center, 14727 209th Street N., Scandia
and Online Streaming (Boxcast and Zoom)
Attendance: Chair Robert Wilmers., Vice Chair Marshall Smith, John Carney, K.C. Douglas, and Nick
Santrach.
Also in Attendance: City Council Liaison Patti Ray, and City Administrator Ken Cammilleri.
Approval of Agenda – Motion by Smith, Seconded by Wilmers to approve the agenda. Motion carried.
Approval of Minutes – Motion by Wilmers, seconded by Douglas, to approve the minutes from the August
19, 2021 meeting. Motion carried.
Public Comments – There were no public comments offered.
2021 Construction Update – Wilmers reported to the Committee that the Midco has reported slight delays
regarding the direct buildout Quality Trail Project due to delays on the delivery of equipment needed to
complete the project. Cammilleri reported that there was some remaining information yet to be supplied to
Connected Nation, the 3rd party project completion inspector. Wilmers indicated he would assist in a follow
up to Midco to remind them of the remaining information to be supplied.
2021 RDOF Areas Update – Wilmers reported to the Committee on the Federal Communication
Commission’s (FCC) efforts to complete due diligence on the viability of bids that were supplied as part of
the Federal Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) Program. It was noted that there were no defaults in
the community at the time of the report, but that monitoring would continue to keep track of the momentum
of the project. Bid award recipients that have passed the FFC’s RDOF vetting process, will be needed to
keep to a milestone schedule for completion of which 40% of an overall awarded census tract must be
completed within 3 years and a total of 6 years to 100% complete. Some award recipients have opted to
complete buildout within shorter time frames such as the projects being completed off of Olinda Trail North
and Oldfield Avenue North on the northside of town. It was noted that Midco had defaulted on some of the
bids that were awarded but that none were in any proximity to our area. Cammilleri and Wilmers were tasked
with following up with LTD Broadband regarding their buildout plans for their RODF award in Scandia.
2022 Planning on Funding – The committee noted that their funding requests to City Council have been
tentatively included within the City’s Capital Improvement Plan for 2022, 2023, and 2024. It was noted the
Committee would need to continue to encourage the City Council to stay the course with these funding
levels. It was also noted that other grant opportunities should also be explored to help cover expenses.
Scandia Internet Action Committee DRAFT Minutes
October 21, 2021
Page 2 of 2
The Washington County American Rescue Plan Internet Buildout Grant – Cammilleri noted that the
Washington County Board set aside two million dollars for a grant program to assist with buildout with
underserved and unserved areas. Ray volunteered to lead the advocacy effort to encourage Washington
County to finalize the program at its upcoming Board meeting. It was noted that it would be helpful to have
a show of numbers at the event, so members and staff offered to attend the meeting in a show of support for
the effort.
2022 Planning Areas for Expansion – It was noted that Midco may already have select areas identified for
buildout, including the area north of William O’Brien State Park.
Discussion of Take Rate – Committee members noted that Scandia has done well in maintaining strong
take rates for obtaining internet service and that efforts to support it should continue.
Items for Future Discussion – Members noted interest in discussing areas for future buildout and that they
wanted to check in with Midco to find out the status of their preliminary project and financial analysis for
additional projects.
Next Meeting – Wilmers reminded members that the next IAC meeting is scheduled for Thursday,
November 18, 2021 at 6:30pm in the Community Center Hall and will also be conducted via Zoom.
Adjournment – Motion by Carney, seconded by Douglas to adjourn the meeting at 7:34pm. Motion carried.
Minutes prepared by:
Ken Cammilleri, City Administrator