Memorandum
Date: April 21, 2020
To: The Honorable Moke Simon, Chair, Lake County Board of Supervisors
From: Bruno Sabatier, District 2 Supervisor
Subject: Discussion and Review of Master Broadband Plan with Potential Action
Executive Summary: (include fiscal and staffing impact narrative):
The Upstate California Connect Consortium has been working closely with the Economic Development Corporation of Lake County and Business Attraction and Retention Committee to create a Lake County Master Broadband Plan. This plan has been completed since November. While it’s been some time since it’s been completed, now seems an opportune moment to review this master plan.
We are all aware that rural communities struggle to connect all of its residents to the internet which can make education, work, and leisure more difficult to do from our homes. This shelter in place has pushed and tested the limits of our broadband infrastructure in Lake County as many of our students access their work online or share video conferencing with their classmates. Many of our employees for the County of Lake have moved their work from their office to their homes and many others in our communities have done the same. While we have shown that working remotely is not an unattainable amenity it is, however, still not where it should be for all.
As noted in the summary of this master plan, better access to broadband and faster broadband speeds can provide a benefit to Education, Health Care, Agriculture, Manufacturing, Economic Development, Workforce Development, Tribal Communities, Emergency Services, and more.
I bring this to you for both discussion and action. The action can be direction to staff, or the action can be to approve or deny this plan. The importance of this plan may not change things for the next calendar day, but it can provide a better solution for the following years. The UCCC is also a great asset in obtaining grants so that we can access the funds required to make some of the changes needed in our communities. Part of government’s role is to set up the platforms for economic development by which businesses and companies can succeed. By approving this document or directing staff to make changes to the document, we would be providing a pathway to better economic development in the future and better resilience for our community during times of disaster where staying home because of the threat of fires, smoke, or a pandemic, we can still maintain a level of productivity that allows us to keep a sense of normalcy.
If not budgeted, fill in the blanks below only:
Estimated Cost: ________ Amount Budgeted: ________ Additional Requested: ________ Future Annual Cost: ________
Consistency with Vision 2028 and/or Fiscal Crisis Management Plan (check all that apply): ☐ Not applicable
☐ Well-being of Residents ☐ Public Safety ☒ Infrastructure ☒ Technology Upgrades
☒ Economic Development ☐ Disaster Recovery ☐ County Workforce ☐ Revenue Generation
☐ Community Collaboration ☐ Business Process Efficiency ☐ Clear Lake ☐ Cost Savings
If request for exemption from competitive bid in accordance with County Code Chapter 2 Sec. 2-38, fill in blanks below:
Which exemption is being requested?
How long has Agreement been in place?
When was purchase last rebid?
Reason for request to waive bid?
Recommended Action: Approve the Master Broadband Plan for Lake County.