City Council Memorandum
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: FEBRUARY 15, 2022 FROM: LIBRARY DEPARTMENT WARDS: ALL
SUBJECT: GRANT AWARD FROM THE Southern California Library Cooperative AND THE CALIFORNIA STATE LIBRARY FOR 134 HOTSPOTS VALUED AT $27,470 ISSUES:
Approve the acceptance of a grant award from the Southern California Library Cooperative and the California State Library for 134 hotspots valued at $27,470.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the City Council:
Approve the acceptance of a grant award from the Southern California Library Cooperative and the California State Library for 134 hotspots valued at $27,470; and Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute grant documents with Southern California Library Cooperative and the California State Library, including making minor and non-substantive changes.
BACKGROUND:
The Riverside Public Library actively pursues grant funding as an alternative funding source and/or supplement to City funds to enable the purchase of library materials to enhance its collection for use by the public. Grants offer valuable, unique opportunities for local jurisdictions to compete for funding sources available through, State, Federal, or other agencies to assist in covering the costs of select projects.
DISCUSSION:
On December 6, 2021, the Riverside Public Library was notified by email that it was eligible for 134 hotspots from the Southern California Library Cooperative (SCLC) and the State Library.
The Riverside Public Library, in concurrence with the Chief Innovation Officer, determined that the best option for the library was to have SCLC purchase and ship the hotspots to the library. These hotspots will be loaned out by the library to the public. The City is not providing any hotspot service and the City’s network will not be impacted.
In accordance with the City Grant Administration Policy 01.006.00, the Department Director evaluated the award to determine the benefit to the customers of the City’s Library, long and short-term financial implications, feasibility and compatibility with existing City priorities/goals and services, and determined the community and City would benefit with accepting this grant.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
This item contributes to Strategic Priority No. 1 Arts, Culture & Recreation and Goal No. 1.1 - Strengthen Riverside’s portfolio of arts, culture, recreation, senior and lifelong learning programs and amenities through expanded community partnerships, shared use opportunities and fund development.
The item aligns with each of the five Cross-Cutting Threads as follows:
Community Trust - This item aligns with Community Trust by minimizing the expenditure of City funds through community partnership and involving the members of the community to encourage or enhance communication.
Equity – The procurement and distribution of hotspots promotes equitable distribution of internet access to the community.
Fiscal Responsibility - This item aligns with Fiscal Responsibility as the community would benefit by accepting this award with no financial implications to the City other than in-kind contributions of staff time.
Innovation - The distribution of 134 hotspots is a result of an innovative partnership with the California State Library.
Sustainability & Resiliency - This item aligns with Sustainability & Resiliency by potentially providing fund development opportunity.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The Fiscal Impact of the grant award is approximately $27,470. The grant award from the Southern California Library Cooperative and the California State Library consists of 134 hotspots with an approximate value of $27,470, at no cost to the Riverside Public Library.
Prepared by: Erin Christmas, Library Director
Certified as to
availability of funds: Edward Enriquez, Chief Financial Officer/Treasurer Approved by: Rafael Guzman, Assistant City Manager
Approved as to form: Phaedra A. Norton, City Attorney
Attachment: Award
SCLC Hotspot Valued at $27,470 ● Page 2