TITLE:
Receive Report and Consider Adoption of City Council Resolution Authorizing Application for and Implementation of Local Agency Technical Assistance (LATA) Program Funds BACKGROUND:
Governor Gavin Newsom signed historic broadband legislation in July 2021 with the intent to provide reliable and affordable internet access to all Californians. Specifically, the goal of this investment is to reach unserved and underserved populations with access to high-speed broadband. The $6 billion investment will be implemented by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), as follows:
$50 million for local agency technical assistance grants, including specific funding for Tribal entities; $750 million for a loan loss reserve program to support local government infrastructure deployment; $3.25 billion for an open-access statewide broadband middle-mile network; and $2 billion for broadband middle-mile infrastructure projects.
ANALYSIS:
The CPUC established the Local Agency Technical Assistance (LATA) program, to reimburse local agencies and Tribal governments for planning and capacity building activities that advance broadband deployment. LATA funds are to be awarded on a first come, first served basis to cover pre-construction expenses such as consultant or staff time for network design, engineering studies, environmental review, financing strategies, and business plans. Grantees must complete projects within 24 months, are required to fulfill monthly reporting requirements and retain all records for a five-year period.
The City’s Digital Infrastructure Plan (2021) would serve as the backbone for the LATA application, and LATA funds would result in a bid-ready construction project. Staff requested a scope of work from the consultants tasked to prepare the City’s 2021 plan, in order to bring their high-level study to project specific detail. In light of the groundwork the City laid in 2021, and the foresight of Council to earmark American Rescue Plan Act funds for broadband deployment, the City is well positioned to utilize this funding opportunity.
The following tasks are proposed for the LATA application, which would be completed by staff and consultants:
Environmental Review & Entitlements
Construction Level Design & Engineering with Bill of Materials Business Plan
Internet Service Provider Partner
Marketing Analysis
Financing Strategy
Bid Package
Grant Administration & Reporting
The City is eligible to seek ministerial approval for up to $500,000 and will submit an application upon Council’s approval.
PROPOSED ACTION:
Adopt Resolution Authorizing Application for the California Public Utilities Commission’s Local Agency Technical Assistance Program.
FISCAL IMPACT:
ARPA funds would be leveraged to pay initial expenses for planning and capacity building to deploy broadband. LATA funds would be utilized to reimburse the City for these expenses. Both of these funding sources would allow General Fund revenues to be used for other purposes.
GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS IMPACT:
To the degree that implementation of planning grant activities results in more compact development patterns adjacent to employment centers and schools, the greenhouse gas emissions generated by the City will fall on a per-capita basis.
CONSISTENCY:
Broadband deployment aligns with Council Goals and Priorities:
Goal: Foster and help sustain local businesses through public private partnerships; overcome barriers to industry such as broadband, housing and transportation; work with West Company and EDFC; and support business that “keep money here.” Goal: Emphasize Grants for the City by focusing CDBG funds on City infrastructure projects. Actively pursue all grant and other funding options and possibilities.
IMPLEMENTATION/TIMEFRAMES:
Staff will submit the LATA application as soon as possible. The goal is to have a bid-ready construction packet by the end of the year in order to position the City for CPUC funding opportunities for construction.
ATTACHMENTS:
Resolution
Exhibit A
Fort Bragg Digital Infrastructure Plan (2021)
NOTIFICATION:
“Notify Me” Subscriber List: Economic Development Planning
AGENDA ITEM NO. 8A
AGENCY: City CouncilMEETING DATE: August 8, 2022DEPARTMENT: AdministrationPRESENTED BY: S. McCormickEMAIL ADDRESS: [email protected]: City CouncilMEETING DATE: August 8, 2022DEPARTMENT: AdministrationPRESENTED BY: S. McCormickEMAIL ADDRESS: [email protected] AGENCY: City Council
MEETING DATE: August 8, 2022
DEPARTMENT: Administration
PRESENTED BY: S. McCormick
EMAIL ADDRESS: [email protected]
AGENCY: City Council
MEETING DATE: August 8, 2022
DEPARTMENT: Administration
PRESENTED BY: S. McCormick
EMAIL ADDRESS: [email protected]
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY