IAC Minutes 10 21 2021 as corrected
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 Marschall Smith, John Carney, K.C. Douglas, and
Nick Santrach.
Also in Attendance: City Council Liaison Patti Ray, and City Administrator Ken Cammilleri.
Call to Order – Wilmers called the meeting to order at 6:34pm.
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 need to keep to a milestone schedule for completion of which 40% of an
overall awarded census track 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 timeframes such
as the projects being completed off of Olinda Trail North and Oldfield Avenue North on the north
side of town. It was noted that Midco had defaulted on some of the bids that were awarded but that
none where 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.
SCANDIA CITY COUNCIL AGENDA
October 19, 2021
Page 2 of 2
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.
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 suggested that we ask the county for matching funds to
the city’s budgeted funds of $319,000 for 2022 Broadband expansion. The committee discussed
talking points as to why Scandia should be awarded the grant funds. Chairman Wilmers asked for
next steps. Ray offered to contact Fran Miron to discuss the grant process and inquire about getting
on the agenda for an upcoming Washington County Board of Commissioners meeting. Ray stated
that if we could not get on the October 26th meeting’s agenda, there was another meeting in two
weeks and that it would be helpful if other committee member attend. The committee concluded
that Ray call Commissioner Miron the next morning and report status to Chairman Wilmers.
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.
{Corrected Minutes voted by IAC Committee on November 18, 2021}