Memorandum
Date: February 27, 2024
To: The Honorable Lake County Board of Supervisors
From: Susan Parker, County Administrative Officer
Matthew Rothstein, Chief Deputy County Administrative Officer
Subject: Consideration of a Letter Asking the California Public Utilities Commission to Reject AT&T California’s Request to be Relieved of Carrier of Last Resort Obligations
Executive Summary:
As you will be aware, in connection to CPUC Proceeding A.23-03-003, AT&T California is requesting approval to be relieved of its Carrier of Last Resort (COLR) obligations in many areas of California, including the following Lake County communities:
• Clearlake Oaks CDP and surrounding areas
• Clearlake Riviera CDP and surrounding areas
• Clearlake city and surrounding areas
• Cobb CDP and surrounding areas
• Hidden Valley Lake CDP and surrounding areas
• Kelseyville CDP and surrounding areas
• Lakeport city and surrounding areas
• Lower Lake CDP and surrounding areas
• Lucerne CDP and surrounding areas
• Middletown CDP and surrounding areas
• Nice CDP and surrounding areas
• North Lakeport CDP and surrounding area
• Soda Bay CDP and surrounding areas
• Spring Valley CDP and surrounding areas
• Upper Lake CDP and surrounding areas
The attached Letter documents significant concerns that would arise, were this application approved. California lacks uniform and technology neutral minimum quality standards for telecommunications providers, for example. As a result, Plain Old Telephone Services (POTS) is frequently a critical backstop when lesser-regulated technologies provide inadequate service. Maintaining Carrier of Last Resort obligations, where no clearly sufficient alternative is available, is essential to maximizing continuity of service.
Staff recommends that your Board approve this Letter, and authorize the Chair to sign.
If not budgeted, fill in the blanks below only:
Estimated Cost: ________ Amount Budgeted: ________ Additional Requested: ________ Future Annual Cost: ________
Purchasing Considerations (check all that apply): ☐ Not applicable
☐ Fully Article X. <https://library.municode.com/ca/lake_county/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH2AD_ARTXPU_S2-38EXCOBI>- and/or Consultant Selection Policy <http://lcnet.co.lake.ca.us/Assets/Intranet/Policy/Policies+$!26+Procedures+Manual/Ch4_2021v2.pdf>-Compliant (describe process undertaken in “Executive Summary”)
☐ Section 2-38 <https://library.municode.com/ca/lake_county/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH2AD_ARTXPU_S2-38EXCOBI> Exemption from Competitive Bidding (rationale in “Executive Summary,” attach documentation, as needed)
☐ For Technology Purchases: Vetted and Supported by the Technology Governance Committee <http://lcnet.co.lake.ca.us/Assets/Intranet/Intranet+Forms/Information+Technology/AdvPlan.pdf> (“Yes,” if checked)
☐ Other (Please describe in Executive Summary)
Consistency with Vision 2028 <http://www.lakecountyca.gov/Government/Directory/Administration/Visioning/Vision2028.htm> (check all that apply): ☐ Not applicable
☒ Well-being of Residents ☒ Public Safety ☒ Disaster Prevention, Preparedness, Recovery
☐ Economic Development ☒ Infrastructure ☐ County Workforce
☐ Community Collaboration ☐ Business Process Efficiency ☐ Clear Lake
Recommended Action: Approve the Letter Asking the California Public Utilities Commission to Reject AT&T California’s Request to be Relieved of Carrier of Last Resort Obligations, and authorize the Chair to sign.