Report to Mayor and City Council
Tuesday, August 02, 2022
Consent
SUBJECT:
Title
CONSIDER A REQUEST FROM THE SOUTH BAY CITIES COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS FOR THE CITY COUNCIL TO TAKE A POSITION OF SUPPORT AND SEND A CORRESPONDING LETTER REGARDING A GRANT TO FUND THE PLANNING PROCESS OF EXPANDING THE SOUTH BAY FIBER NETWORK (CITY COUNCIL)
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I. SUMMARY
This item transmits a request from the South Bay Cities Council of Governments (the “SBCCOG”) for City Council to take a position of support and directing staff to send a corresponding letter for the Local Agency Technical Assistance (the “LATA”) grant application that the SBCCOG is preparing for planning the expansion of the South Bay Fiber Network. If received, this planning grant will support the SBCCOG in providing for future last-mile broadband internet infrastructure that will support telework, telehealth as well as digital learning and work-force training, all of which are critical digital resources.
Approval of this item provides the City Council an opportunity to formally support the SBCCOG and its consultants’ scope of work. This project will provide the necessary data and planning that will enable the SBCCOG to receive funding to extend the middle mile network to neighborhoods that are currently unserved or underserved. Carson staff will continue to work with the SBCCOG to help ensure that the City of Carson receives an equitable share of resources from this effort.
II. RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
SUPPORT the LATA Grant Application from the SBCCOG; and
DIRECT staff to transmit the corresponding letter.
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III. ALTERNATIVES
TAKE another action deemed appropriate by the City Council and that is consistent with applicable laws.
IV. BACKGROUND
As stated by the California Public Utilities Commission, Governor Gavin Newsom signed historic broadband legislation in July 2021 to help bridge the digital divide and provide reliable and affordable internet access to all Californians. Senate Bill 156 expands the state’s broadband fiber infrastructure and increases internet connectivity for families and businesses.
The goal of this investment is to provide equitable access to high-speed broadband to unserved and underserved populations in California. The $6 billion is allocated for the following: $3.25 billion for an open-access statewide broadband middle-mile network; $2 billion for broadband last mile infrastructure projects; $750 million for a loan loss reserve to support local government broadband infrastructure development; and $50 million for local agency technical assistance grants.
This $50 million grant program has been established to reimburse eligible local governments, including the SBCCOG, for pre-project costs associated with work that facilitates broadband network deployment projects to communities lacking sufficient Internet.
Technical assistance grants support local agencies in their efforts to expand broadband to communities lacking sufficient Internet. Grant recipients are reimbursed for eligible pre-construction expenses to provide last-mile connections to unserved and underserved communities. Examples of reimbursable expenses include, but are not limited to, consultant or staff time for conducting needs assessments, environmental and engineering studies, network design and broadband strategic plans.
V. FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this item, which pertains only to the letter of support.
VI. EXHIBITS
Proposed Letter of Support (pgs. 3 - 4)
Prepared by: Michael George, Assistant to the City Manager