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08.c Draft IAC Minutes 06 16 202214727 209th St. N., Scandia, Minnesota 55073 Phone (651) 433-2274 | Fax (651) 433-5112 | www.cityofscandia.com CITY OF SCANDIA INTERNET ACTION COMMITTEE Minutes Thursday, June 16, 2022 6:30 p.m. Location: Online Streaming (Boxcast and Zoom) and Scandia Community Center, 14727 209th Street North Committee Members in Attendance: John Carney; Steve Collier; K.C. Douglas; Vice Chair Marschall Smith; Chair Robert Wilmers. Absent: None. Others in Attendance: City Administrator Ken Cammilleri; City Council Liaison Steve Kronmiller; and City Council Liaison Patti Ray. Call to Order – The meeting was called to order by Wilmers at 6:35pm. Approval of Agenda – Motion by Douglas, seconded by Smith, to approve the agenda to Replace the approval of the April minutes with the Minutes from March to reflect contents of this meetings packet. Motion carried. Approval of Minutes from the March 17, 2022 and May 19, 2022 - Motion by Wilmers, seconded by Collier, to approve the minutes from March 17, 2022 and May 19, 2022 with the following corrections: May 19, 2022 – Reference to the document referring to Midco’s 2022 buildout proposal should clarify that it can be found in Wilmer’s IAC Midco Progress Report. A later reference to the year 2023 in that section should clarify that 2023 is the construction/build year. May 19, 2022 – Amendment to the language use of “house. It is to be replaced to with the word “home” as it is now the agreed upon unit that includes all dwellings for the sake of tracking progress towards buildout goals. Also, page 3’s reference to budget recommendation is to be removed and replaced with notation that budget alternatives were discussed but no formal recommendation was reached. Motion Carried. Public Comments – No public comments were offered. Legislative Updates –Wilmers presented updates on state and federal actions pertaining to broadband expansion. DRAFT Scandia Internet Action Committee Meeting Minutes for June 16, 2022 Page 2 of 3 Update and discussion on the status 2022 Midco buildout project (No contract received). Cammilleri noted that he would notify the committee when the contract is received. Discussion and Consideration of Continued Planning for Broadband Buildout – Wilmers reported that the State opened the Border-to-Border Broadband Grant Program only a few weeks ago, and checked with Midco to see what their plans were with respect to submitting an application. He reported that Midco is attempting to decide which projects could be put in for a grant but that they will be considering existing projects. He noted that a proposal would need to be acted on quickly to meet the program’s August 4th deadline. Discussion and Recommendations for 2023 and 2024 Projects – Wilmers presented his budget draft budget recommendation to the committee and it was discussed. Motion by Wilmers, seconded by Smith to adopt the following recommendation: “The Internet Action Committee recommends that that the City Council take advantage of the newly announced re-activation of Minnesota’s Border-to-Border Broadband Grant program and available funding through the Washington County American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Broadband Grant to maximize the amount of funding available to support the 2023 broadband buildout season based on the following: 1. Utilize the $100,000 in savings in the General Capital Fund from the 2022 broadband project that was offset by Washington County Grant funds and apply to the 2023 broadband project in the City’s Capital Investment/Improvement Plan (CIP) with the $332,000 currently proposed for 2023 to provide $432,000 in City financial support for internet expansion funding in 2023. 2. Send a letter of intent to Midco, consistent with prior years expressing the City’s desire to move ahead with another expansion project in 2023, reference to what has been tentatively budgeted, and the inclusion a request to Midco to apply for grants from both through the Minnesota Border-to-Border Broadband Grant and Washington County ARPA Broadband grant to maximize Scandia’s opportunity to gain additional funds to assist in the 2023 expansion with emphasis on maximizing funding received. 3. Since the deadline to submit a grant to Minnesota’s program is August 4th, 2022 it is imperative that the above actions occur as soon as possible to allow sufficient time for Midco to develop a construction plan for 2023 and to put forth an application for the grant.” Motion carried with Collier voting against. The recommendation will be presented to the City Council for consideration. Discussion and Consideration for the Preparations for Midco Day and Farms Market Information – Stand and Children’s Storyboard Event – Wednesday, August 31st (Farmers Market 3:30pm-5:30pm and Storyboard Event and Cookout 5:30pm-7:30pm) - Ray reported on progress and it was noted that the event bag boxes were delivered. Ray also noted that she is looking into a playground grant from Midco. DRAFT Scandia Internet Action Committee Meeting Minutes for June 16, 2022 Page 3 of 3 Collier reported on his efforts to advance a buildout project around Maxwill Avenue N. He has roughly estimated that there are about 42 homes on the North Bay Big Marine Lake and noted that he had approached 17 people about extending services, so far. He noted that he still had some remaining outreach to do before the information could be advanced to Midco. The hope is if there is enough interest in services, that Midco may opt to include this area of the community in a service buildout. Items for Future Discussion – It was noted that the Committee wished to continue the discussion of funding and additional buildout opportunities. Additional News Reports and Events – Wilmers called attention to the news articles and event that was shared in the meeting packet. Next Meeting – Wilmers reported that the next Internet Action Committee meeting will be held Thursday, July 21, 2022 at 6:30 PM in the Scandia Community Center. Adjournment – Motion by Wilmers, seconded by Carney, to adjourn the meeting at 7:52PM. Motion carried. DRAFT