City of Gonzales
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT & STRATEGIC
PARTNERSHIPS
STAFF REPORT
TO: Honorable Mayor Rios and City Council
DATE: February 7, 2022
FROM: Carmen Gil, Community Engagement & Strat. Partnership Dir.
THROUGH: René L. Mendez, City Manager
SUBJECT: Agreement Between the City of Gonzales and the Community Foundation for Monterey County for the HotSpot Loan Program
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council approve an Agreement between the City of Gonzales and the Community Foundation for Monterey County (Community Foundation) for the HotSpot Loan Program.
This Agreement would allow the Community Foundation to continue lending 100 Hotspots previously loaned to the Health Department to the VIDA Community Health Workers so they can continue to support the community in the fight against COVID-19. Each Hotspot would incur a cost of $15 per month and the Community Foundation would be responsible for covering that cost and paying the City of Gonzales for its use.
BACKGROUND
The City has been partnering with the County Health Department on the HotSpot Loan Program since mid-2020. At that time, County Health Department borrowed 300 HotSpots to distribute through their library system so that the community could have access to Wi-Fi and continue with distance learning.
Since then, they returned 200 and decided to keep 100 of them to have the VIDA Community Health Workers use them to connect via Wi-Fi when they are out in the community conducting COVID-19 testing. The County Health Department and the Community Foundation are partners in the VIDA project and at the end of 2021, it was decided that the Community Foundation would be the one to continue the contract with the City of Gonzales for the HotSpots that the VIDA team is utilizing.
AGENDA
ITEM
10 With the help of the Wi-Fi HotSpots, the VIDA Community Health Workers are able to connect and perform their COVID-19 testing all across the County. This technology has allowed them to work remotely, be flexible and more efficient in their work.
REVIEW AND ANALYSIS
If the City were not to continue with this loan program, the Community Health Workers’ work would be compromised as they need to connect to Wi-Fi to provide test results to the public. The VIDA team would have a hard time accessing HotSpots at this time and restarting with new HotSpots in the middle of the project, would create an unnecessary burden on everyone.
Moreover, the City of Gonzales is part of the VIDA project, and that collaboration has been a tremendous support for our community. Because of this, we want to continue to support the program in any way that we can, and this is one of the ways that we can continue to be good partners and support those who are working to fight COVID-19 throughout the County.
Duties and Commitments
The Agreement between the City and the Community Foundation allows the Community Foundation to continue to allow the VIDA Community Healthcare Workers to continue utilizing the HotSpots and continue being a major asset to the community at-large.
The Community Foundation will be responsible for covering the monthly fee of $15 per HotSpot per month for the 100 HotSpots.
Explain Recommendation and How it Supports the Vision
Gonzales will continue to be a safe, clean, family-friendly community, diverse in its heritage, and committed to working collaboratively to preserve and retain its small town charm.
Explain: This partnership will have a ripple effect across the entire County as it will allow the Community Health Workers to continue their efforts in the fight against the pandemic.
Explain how the Recommendation Directly Implements the Mission The City Council and Staff of the City of Gonzales will realize our Vision by providing the leadership, commitment, and resources necessary to provide excellent services that enhance the quality of life of our diverse community.
Explain: Please see explanation above for the Vision.
City services will be delivered in a cost-effective, respectful, and friendly manner to insure the safety and well being of the residents and the promotion of business, recreational, housing and employment opportunities in an environmentally sustainable manner.
Explain: Please see explanation above for the Vision.
Strong fiscal policies allow us to provide appropriate infrastructure for:
• Public Safety X Yes No N/A
• Housing Yes No N/A
• Recreation Yes No N/A
• Environment X Yes No N/A
• Education X Yes No N/A
Explain: Please see explanation above for the Vision.
ALTERNATIVES
Ending this partnership will create an unnecessary burden for the team of Community Health Workers who are working hard to help us all combat the pandemic. Without access to the HotSpots, COVID-19 testing sites across the County would be reduced and potentially stopped until a new method of Wi-Fi connection is established.
BUDGET IMPACT
This program will allow the City to continue offsetting some of the T-Mobile HotSpot program costs at the rate of $15 per HotSpot per month of use.
CONCLUSION
It is recommended that the City Council approve an Agreement between the City of Gonzales and the Community Foundation for Monterey County for the HotSpot Loan Program.
Attachments:
1. Agreement with CFMC
2. VIDA Lending Agreement