Title
a. Accept grant funds on behalf of the County of Monterey from the California Public Utilities Commission, Communications Division Local Agency Technical Assistance Grant Program grant award in the amount of $500,000 for the development of an open access broadband conceptual network design, estimation, and foundational planning; and
b. Authorize the Chief Information Officer or his designee to enter and to execute the California Public Utilities Commission, Communications Division Local Agency Technical Assistance Grant and all other grant documents as required by the California Public Utilities Commission subject to review and approval of the Office of the County Counsel as to form and legality; and
c. Approve and authorize the Chief Information Officer or his designee to execute a Memorandum of Understanding between Golden State Connect Authority and the County of Monterey for implementation of the Local Agency Technical Assistant Grant Program subject to review and approval of the Office of the County Counsel as to form and legality; and
d. Authorize the Auditor-Controller to amend the Fiscal Year 2022-23 Information Technology Department Adopted Budget 001-1930-INF002-8436 to increase appropriations and estimated revenue by $500,000 funded by the augmentation of grant revenues from California Public Utilities Commission, Communications Division Local Agency Technical Assistance Grant Program (4/5ths vote required).
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Accept grant funds on behalf of the County of Monterey from the California Public Utilities Commission, Communications Division Local Agency Technical Assistance Grant Program grant award in the amount of $500,000 for the development of an open access broadband conceptual network design, estimation, and foundational planning; and
b. Authorize the Chief Information Officer or his designee to enter and to execute the California Public Utilities Commission, Communications Division Local Agency Technical Assistance Grant and all other grant documents as required by the California Public Utilities Commission subject to review and approval of the Office of the County Counsel as to form and legality; and
c. Approve and authorize the Chief Information Officer or his designee to execute a Memorandum of Understanding between Golden State Connect Authority and the County of Monterey for implementation of the Local Agency Technical Assistant Grant Program subject to review and approval of the Office of the County Counsel as to form and legality; and
d. Authorize the Auditor-Controller to amend the Fiscal Year 2022-23 Information Technology Department Adopted Budget 001-1930-INF002-8436 to increase appropriations and estimated revenue by $500,000 funded by the augmentation of grant revenues from California Public Utilities Commission, Communications Division Local Agency Technical Assistance Grant Program (4/5ths vote required).
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The County of Monterey is a member of the Golden State Connect Authority (GSCA), a joint powers authority initiated by the Rural County Representatives of California (RCRC). The JPA was formed to increase access to reliable, and affordable high-speed internet for residents in rural areas. GSCA represents thirty-nine member counties.
With the approval of SB 156 <https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=202120220SB156> by Governor Newsom on July 20, 2021, local government agencies can submit applications for funding requests to support the planning necessary to be development ready. The CPUC LATA is accepting applications until the funding is exhausted with application review conducted monthly. This grant application was facilitated by RCRC and the Chief Information Officer submitted the grant application to meet the August 2022 application review deadline while keeping the board informed. This grant will provide funding to support the following broadband project phases necessary to be construction ready in the South Salinas Valley region of the county: 1) Conceptual network design and cost estimation, 2) Refined high-level design and foundational planning, and 3) Low-level design and engineering that will be facilitated by RCRC. GSCA proposes to secure specialized professional services to assist member counties, including County of Monterey through the MOU to implement the LATA grant-funded project. As such it is the recommendation of the Chief Information Officer to approve the recommended actions.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
County Counsel and Auditor-Controller’s Office have reviewed and approved the recommendations of the Chief Information Officer.
FINANCING:
Support of this recommended action will not require General Fund Contribution. Upon approval, the Auditor-Controller’s office will amend the Fiscal Year 2022-23 Information Technology Department Adopted Budget 001-1930-INF002-8436 to increase appropriations and estimated revenue by $500,000, (4/5ths vote required).
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
Approval of the recommended actions address the digital divide and lack of internet access that disproportionately effects unserved and underserved Monterey County residents the rural region of the County. The collaboration and partnerships on expanding broadband access will close the digital divide throughout Monterey County.
__Economic Development
__Administration
__Health & Human Services
X Infrastructure
__Public Safety
Prepared by: Sarah House, IT Manager, 759-6992
Approved by:
__________________________ Date: ________________
Eric A. Chatham, Chief Information Officer, 759-6920
Attachments:
CPCU Grant Acceptance Letter
Golden State Connect Authority Implementation MOU
LATA Grant Application