AGENDA DATE: 3/2/2016
TITLE:
Title
Virginia Telecommunication Planning Initiative (Broadband)
BODY
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Update on the funding and development of a Community Telecommunication Plan
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: The County is working toward its goal of facilitating the deployment of broadband to its rural areas. Broadband deployment requires a telecommunications planning process, and there are state and federal grants available to localities for the creation of a telecommunication plan. The County submitted a grant application to the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) for a $75,000 grant through the Virginia Telecommunications Planning Initiative (VATPI), and was notified on October 30, 2015 that it was awarded the grant. The purpose of this executive summary is to provide an update regarding the funding and development of the telecommunications plan.
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: On January 19, 2016, the County issued a Request for Proposal (“RFP”) for Telecommunication Planning and received responses from four vendors. Members of the Broadband Management team will review the responses and will select a consultant or group of consultants to complete the plan. The initial draft outline of the plan is included in the Scope of Services (section III) of the RFP. Section III of the RFP is attached. The plan is scheduled to be completed by June 30, 2016 and will be presented to the Board for further direction.
BUDGET IMPACT: On February 4, 2015, the Board adopted a Resolution to commit the use of up to $30,000 to supplement grant funds to develop a telecommunications plan, and that amount was appropriated to the Information Technology Department to support the grant for Broadband projects. The appropriation request for the DHCD $75,000 grant award is included as part of the separate FY 16 Appropriations executive summary being presented to the Board for approval on March 2, 2016 (Appropriation #2016066). Staff will ask the Board to re-appropriate any unused balance of the $30,000 appropriation to the Grant Opportunity fund upon the completion of the project.
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
This item is for information only. Staff recommends that the Board approve the appropriation of $75,000 in grant funds by approving Appropriation #2016066 in the separate March 2, 2016 Appropriations Executive Summary.
ATTACHMENTS:
A - RFP Section III