Title
Consider recommendations regarding reallocation of Public and Educational Capital Endowment Funds for Community Broadband and Emergency Communications, as follows: (4/5 Vote Required)
a) Find that the originally planned fiber-optic project to be completed by Cox Communications (Cox) along the State Route 154 corridor is not feasible within the funding provided from the Public and Educational Capital Endowment (PE Endowment), and that redirecting those funds to a community broadband access initiative providing public Wi-Fi at designated County parks, facilities, and public areas is consistent with the settlement agreement's intent to expand communications access and support government and emergency communications;
b) Approve and authorize the Chair to execute an Agreement with Cox for the procurement, installation, and initial operation of public Wi-Fi access points at designated locations for a period of 24 months following full system activation, utilizing $250,000.00 of funds previously disbursed by the County to Cox from the PE Endowment pursuant to a court order;
c) Find that the originally planned fiber connection project to be completed by Cox to County facilities at La Cumbre Peak is not feasible within the funding provided from the PE Endowment, and that redirecting those funds to pay for enhanced internet connectivity and service to support the Regional Fire Communications Center is consistent with the settlement agreement’s intent to enhance government and emergency communications infrastructure;
d) Approve Budget Revision Request No. 0011150 increasing appropriations of $75,000.00 in General County Programs General Fund for other financing uses funded by a decrease in restricted fund balance, and increasing appropriations of $75,000.00 in the Fire Protection District Fund for services and supplies funded by other financing sources; and
e) Determine that the above recommended actions do not constitute a project subject to environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(2) and (5), finding that the actions consist of continuing administrative or maintenance activities, such as purchases for supplies and general policy and procedure making and organizational or administrative activities of governments that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment.