1 STAFF REPORT
DATE: August 27, 2024
TO: Justin Hess, City Manager
FROM: Melissa Potter, Interim Library Services Director BY: Amanda Hogg, Library Division Manager
SUBJECT: Adoption of a Resolution Approving the Application for a Subrecipient Grant Agreement and Signature of a Letter of Commitment with the County of Los Angeles to Apply for the Federal Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BURBANK APPROVING
THE APPLICATION FOR A SUBRECIPIENT GRANT AGREEMENT AND SIGNATURE
OF A LETTER OF COMMITMENT WITH THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES TO APPLY
FOR THE FEDERAL DIGITAL EQUITY COMPETITIVE GRANT PROGRAM AND AUTHORIZE THE LIBRARY SERVICES DIRECTOR, AS THE CITY MANAGER’S DESIGNEE, TO EXECUTE THE AGREEMENT AND ANY AMENDMENTS THERETO.
BACKGROUND
The Los Angeles County (County) Intergovernmental Broadband Coordinating Committee (IBCC) was created in 2022 by the County Board of Supervisors to expand affordable and reliable internet access across the County and maximize Federal and State funding to achieve digital equity. In April 2024, the IBCC held a meeting with stakeholder organizations and community members to discuss collaborative efforts to pursue, secure, and implement Federal and State grant program funding to address the digital equity divid e in the County and respective cities within the County , including the City of Burbank (City).
In June 2024, the City was provide d a Proof of Concept by the IBCC, which noted that
10.1% of Burbank households (4,399) do not have an internet subscription and 5.6% of Burbank households (2,432) do not have a computer.
LIBRARY
SERVICES
2 In August 2024, the IBCC sent a draft Letter of Commitment (LOC) to the City to participate in the Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program (Grant), which is a F ederal grant funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, Division F, Title III, Public Law 117-58, 135 Stat. 429, 1209 (November 15, 2021), known as the Digital Equity Act and administered through the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). Should the County receive the grant award, the City would become a subrecipient of said grant and would enter into a binding agreement to complete the tasks outlined in the LOC.
DISCUSSION
To proceed as a subrecipient of the Grant, the City is required to accept the terms outlined by the County in the Letter of Commitment prior to the County submitting its application for the Grant. The LOC terms state that, should the County receive the Grant , City of Burbank, as subrecipient of the grant, will receive $425,596 to develop, implement, and evaluate digital inclusion activities. This includes $171,996 to distribute 400 internet - enabled laptop computers and $153,600 to distribute 400 internet -enabled mobile hotspots with 12 months of free subsidized broadband internet service to defined covered populations.
The LOC specifies a funding match requirement from the City of 10% of cash or in-kind contributions of property, goods, or services for the $425,595 funding allocation. City staff time, facility use, equipment and more qualify as in- kind contributions. It is anticipated that the City’s funding match will be met with in-kind contributions rather than a monetary amount.
The grant performance period will either begin in late 2025 or early 2026 and will run through the end of 2028. This includes calendar year 2029 for the Competitive Grant Program Evaluation. The City will only be held to these terms should the County secure the Digital Equity Competitive Grant funding.
The Library Services Department (Department) will serve as the grant subrecipient and will implement the digital equity plan, notably augmenting its current goals of improving online accessibility and inclusivity of public resources, providing digital literacy and skills education to covered populations, and facilitating the adoption of high- speed internet access to covered populations.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This activity has no potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment, and as such, is not a “project” subject to the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) 14 Cal. Code Regs § 15378.
3 FISCAL IMPACT
Should the City become a subrecipient of the Grant, a funding allocation of $425,596 will be received. A 10 % match of cash contributions ( $42,596) or in -kind contributions of property, goods, or services is expected of subrecipients. The Department plans to allocate in-kind contributions of employee or volunteer service, equipment, supplies, and use of facilities for this requirement. If awarded the grant award, staff will request Council authority to accept the funds and amend the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024- 25 and FY 2025-26 Adopted Budget.
CONCLUSION
Staff recommends Council approve the application of a subrecipient grant agreement and the signature of the LOC . This will provide the City with funding to support activities to achieve digital equity, promote digital inclusion, and spur greater adoption and meaningful use of broadband.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment 1 - Resolution
Attachment 2 - Letter of Commitment (LOC) for the Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program