HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 08092011 - C.44RECOMMENDATION(S):
ENDORSE the creation and development of the East Bay Broadband Consortium by the
Contra Costa Economic Partnership and its non-profit partners, for the purpose of
implementing a strategy to expand access to broadband telecommunication services in
Contra Costa, Alameda, and Solano Counties;
AUTHORIZE the Chair of the Board of Supervisors to sign a letter, to be submitted to the
California Public Utilities Commission with the EBBD grant application, attesting to the
Board of Supervisor's endorsement of the proposed grant-funded activities on behalf of
Contra Costa residents; and,
AUTHORIZE the County Administrator to designate a staff member from the Contra Costa
County Office of Communications and Media to consult with the East Bay Broadband
Consortium on issues affecting broadband access in Contra Costa County.
APPROVE OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE
Action of Board On: 08/09/2011 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER
Clerks Notes:
VOTE OF SUPERVISORS
AYE:John Gioia, District I
Supervisor
Gayle B. Uilkema, District II
Supervisor
Mary N. Piepho, District III
Supervisor
Karen Mitchoff, District IV
Supervisor
Federal D. Glover, District V
Supervisor
Contact: Vicky Mead,
925-335-1037
I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board
of Supervisors on the date shown.
ATTESTED: August 9, 2011
David Twa, County Administrator and Clerk of the Board of Supervisors
By: June McHuen, Deputy
cc:
C.44
To:Board of Supervisors
From:David Twa
Date:August 9, 2011
Contra
Costa
County
Subject:Endorsing Strategic Action Plan of East Bay Broadband Consortium
FISCAL IMPACT:
None. The East Bay Broadband Consortium has been organized to seek available State
and Federal funds and will not be financed by the County. County staff time to
participate in Consortium activities will be provided with existing budgeted resources.
BACKGROUND:
The East Bay Broadband Consortium (EBBC) is a formal coalition of three private,
non-profit economic development groups in Contra Costa, Alameda, and Solano
Counties; these groups are the Contra Costa Economic Partnership, East Bay Economic
Develoment Alliance, and Solano Economic Development Corporation. (The three
non-profits comprising the Consortium are themselves membership organizations
representing more than 200 public, private, and community sector organizations.) The
activities of the EBBC are being financed privately by the Lesher Foundation, the East
Bay Community Foundation, and the California Emerging Technology Fund. The Contra
Costa Economic Partnership has been designated the fiscal agent of the EBBC.
The East Bay Broadband Consortium was created to respond to "infrastructure" gaps in
the provision of phone, internet, and other communication services in under-served areas,
including inner city and rural areas, of the region. EBBC is eligible to apply for grant
funds being made available through the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC)
to expand access to "broadband" communication services (internet and telephone
services) in the region's under-served areas, under the "California Advanced Services
Fund - Rural and Urban Regional Broadband Consortia Program." The EBBC's
application for State grant funds must be submitted to the CPUC by August 23, 2011.
The East Bay Regional Broadband Consortium has asked that the Contra Costa County
Board of Supervisors support its efforts to obtain State grant funding to increase
broadband access by taking the following actions:
1. ENDORSE the Strategic Action Plan that has been developed by EBBC, in
collaboration with a broad cross-section of community, business, educational, health, and
government leaders, to close gaps and leverage opportunities aimed at increasing
broadband deployment and access;
2. AUTHORIZE the Chair of the Board of Supervisors to sign a letter, to be submitted to
the CPUC with the EBBC grant application, attesting to the Board of Supervisor's
endorsement of the proposed grant activities on behalf of Contra Costa residents; and,
3. AUTHORIZE the County Administrator to assign a staff member from the Office of
Commications and Media to participate in Consortium activities on behalf of Contra
Costa County.
The letter which EBBC has asked the Chair of the Board to sign in connection with the
grant application to CPUC is attached as Exhibit A. After describing the Consortium's
activities, the letter concludes that, "The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors
endorses the East Bay Broadband Consortium organized and led by the Contra Costa
Economic Partnership, East Bay Economic Develoment Alliance, and Solano Economic
Development Corporation, with the Contra Costa Economic Partnership serving as fiscal
agent." EBBC is seeking endorsement from a variety of government, non-profit, and
business leaders in support of its grant application to the CPUC.
The Office of Communications and Media anticipates that the staff person assigned to
this activity would convene and coordinate a work group within the County of key
departments who would benefit from the initiative, to provide input and guidance.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
The Board of Supervisors would not endorse the Strategic Action Plan which has been
developed by the East Bay Regional Broadband Consortium as a basis for obtaining
grant funds from the State PUC, and would not provide a letter indicating its endorsement.
CHILDREN'S IMPACT STATEMENT:
The proposal would broadly support greater access to information and communication
technology in under-served areas of the County, including families with children.
ATTACHMENTS
Resolution 2011/331
Exhibit A