Loading...
08.c ADDITION_ Kronmiller LetterFebruary 13, 2022 Honorable Mayor, and fellow Councilmembers, In December, we directed staff to ask MidCo for a 1-year project proposal. However, according to the Internet Action Committee minutes from August 29, 2021, the IAC actually voted to request MidCo develop a 2-year project proposal. We need to act quickly, and correct our error, before we lose out on $307k by not applying for all the County grant money the IAC requested. I would like to honor the IAC’s motion and request that second-year plan from MidCo. Given the small number of homes that would remain unserved in 2024, I also want us to ask MidCo for a project to complete our expansion efforts in 2024. We are nearly halfway through our planned internet expansion timeline. It is time our Council and our residents are a given a detailed plan for completing the internet expansion efforts. Our goal is within reach if we choose to act and if MidCo continues to partner with us. I, therefore, would like to bring forward a motion to direct staff to prepare a letter to MidCo with the following points: • Ask MidCo to prepare written proposals for a project in 2023 and in 2024, in addition to the previously approved request for a project in 2022 • The proposals should be brought back to the City Council for review and approval • Together the projects should identify how to bring high speed internet to all the remaining locations in Scandia • The projects should envision applying for support from the Washington County Broadband Matching Funds program and/or other funding partners • The proposals should clearly identify each of the project areas with a map and a detailed list of the addresses to be served by each project • The proposals should also specify the highest speeds to be delivered; a cost breakdown for each of the funding partners; and provide for post installation field verification of services delivered By approving this motion, we will assure our Scandia residents of our commitment to: 1. Achieving our “Internet for All” goal 2. Transparency by communicating a plan 3. Securing the necessary funding, and 4. Completing the expansion by the end of 2024 Sincerely, Steve Kronmiller Scandia City Councilmember