City Council Agenda Report
September 16, 2025
TO: Honorable City Council
FROM: Jesus M. Gomez, City Manager
BY: Glen W.C. Kau, P.E., Director of Public Services/City Engineer Damian Rosales, Public Services Superintendent
SUBJECT: RIGHT-OF-WAY USE AGREEMENT TO CONSTRUCT A GATEWAY CITIES
REGIONAL FIBER OPTIC NETWORK
Background:
The Gateway Cities Council of Governments (GCCOG) has pursued a $46.1 million grant from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and entered into a Joint Build Agreement with the California Department of Technology (CDT) to design and construct the Gateway Cities Regional Fiber Optic Network (Network) for a total of $103 million, for the purpose of furthering digital equity and expanding connectivity, competition, affordability, and access in the Gateway region.
Private companies have traditionally been responsible for deploying the infrastructure required to provide Internet access to communities; however, they have not consistently invested in the infrastructure to deliver high-speed broadband via a fiber network. In an effort to satisfy this unserved need, local governments have actively analyzed the benefit of investing in fiber network infrastructures to facilitate broadband service.
One of the benefits of investing in broadband infrastructure is closing the digital divide and enhanced economic development by supplying high-speed Internet access to residents and businesses. Additionally, businesses that require extensive bandwidths for conducting business are able to capitalize on the community’s infrastructure investment.
The contractor installing the fiber is HP Communications. This vendor was made available through the California Department of Technology (CDT) as a result of the Joint Build Agreement executed between the GCCOG and the CDT. The GCCOG will be responsible for ongoing operations and maintenance and will be entering into a partner agreement with a qualified Internet Service Provider (ISP) to provide these services at a later date.
City Council September 16, 2025
Right-of-Way Use Agreement - Gateway Cities
Regional Fiber Optic Network
Page No. 2
1 5
1 2
Fiscal Impact:
N/A
Citizens Advised:
N/A
Strategic Plan 2023 Implementation:
The recommended action will further the City’s Strategic Plan Goal 2: Work in Partnership with Our Community to Achieve Safe and Livable Neighborhoods, Objective 1, Reinvest in existing and aging infrastructure.
Recommended Action:
Staff recommends City Council approve a Right-of-Way Use Agreement between the City and the Gateway Cities Council of Governments for the installation, maintenance, and operation of the Gateway Cities Regional Fiber Optic Network on the City’s rights-of-way; and authorize the City Manager or designee to execute the Agreement, including approving finalized plans and any other actions in connection with the Agreement.
Attachments:
ROW Use Agreement with Exhibits A (City Route Design) and B (GCRFON Design)