AGENDA DATE: 9/2/2015
TITLE:. Broadband Vision and Planning
.BODY
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Update on Broadband Vision and Planning
ITEM TYPE: Consent Information Item
STAFF CONTACT(S): Foley, Letteri, Davis, Kamptner, Culp
PRESENTER (S): N/A
LEGAL REVIEW: Yes
REVIEWED BY: Thomas C. Foley
BACKGROUND:
On February 4, 2015, the Board took the following action:
1) Adopted a Resolution to commit $30,000 in funding to complete a Community Connectivity Plan if the County is awarded the $30,000 Community Connectivity Planning Grant through the Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD); and
2) Approved an appropriation in the amount of $3,900 to contract with the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission (TJPDC) to assist in the writing of the Grant Application.
Staff and the TJPDC submitted the $30,000 Community Connectivity Planning Grant application on March 16, 2015, then were invited by the DHCD to submit an application for a second grant entitled the Virginia Telecommunications Planning Initiative (VATPI).
The purpose of this Executive Summary is to provide a progress update.
STRATEGIC PLAN:
Goal 2. Critical Infrastructure: Prioritize, plan and invest in critical infrastructure that responds to past and future changes and improves the capacity to serve community needs.
Goal 5. Educational Opportunities: Provide lifelong learning opportunities for all our citizens.
Goal 7. Operational Capacity: Ensure County government’s ability to provide high quality service that achieves community priorities.
DISCUSSION:
TJPDC and County staff submitted a VATPI grant application on August 7, 2015, and have not yet received the DHCD’s award determination on either grant application. The recipients of the VATPI grant will receive $75,000 to be used toward the completion of a comprehensive telecommunication plan for their community. Upon notification of an award, staff will release an RFP or will procure telecommunication planning services through another locality’s contract. The DHCD is expected to notify grant applicants of grant awards for both grants by September 30.
Staff plans to include broadband priorities in the RFP. The telecommunications plan can be focused on one or more priority areas. Staff will return to the Board at a future meeting with an analysis that will allow the Board to determine the County’s broadband priorities.
BUDGET IMPACT: To date, the Board has appropriated $3,900 to contract with the TJPDC to write the CDBG grant application and has committed an additional $30,000 to complete a Community Connectivity Plan if a grant is awarded to the County. For VATPI application support services, $3,900 of the committed $30,000 will be paid to the TJPDC.
RECOMMENDATION:Recommenda
This Executive Summary is for information only. No action is required by the Board at this time.