Agenda - 03-07-2019 6-a - Broadband Initiatives Update and Approval of Proposed Agreement with Open Broadband for Wireless Broadband Appurtenances on County Facilities

Browse Search

4 evaluated for economic viability with no obligation for continued County support beyond what is stated in the attached agreement. FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with receiving the broadband update. Regarding the agreement, Open Broadband will be assuming equipment and installation costs, and Orange County will be providing no cost access to the vertical assets around the County for the duration of this agreement. It should be noted that the Open Broadband equipment and installation cost ultimately are made possible by the initial broadband funding offered by the County. SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: Broadband improvements and the resulting services available to residents do impact the social justice. The update only serves to inform the Board on said improvements. The following Orange County Social Justice Goals are applicable to approval of the proposed agreement: • GOAL: FOSTER A COMMUNITY CULTURE THAT REJECTS OPPRESSION AND INEQUITY The fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race or color; religious or philosophical beliefs; sex, gender or sexual orientation; national origin or ethnic background; age; military service; disability; and familial, residential or economic status. • GOAL: ENSURE ECONOMIC SELF-SUFFICIENCY The creation and preservation of infrastructure, policies, programs and funding necessary for residents to provide shelter, food, clothing and medical care for themselves and their dependents. • GOAL: ENABLE FULL CIVIC PARTICIPATION Ensure that Orange County residents are able to engage government through voting and volunteering by eliminating disparities in participation and barriers to participation. The County seeks to promote an interactive and engaging system of governance that reflects community values by expanding internet access through County hotspots or incentives to private parties. The proposal before the Board is part of the overall effort to make available affordable access for rural Orange County residents to broadband and Internet technology, augment existing and create new rural economic development, increase residents' IT skills, and foment the creation and consumption of relevant web-based content and services where there was none before; i.e., address digital inclusion and digital divide issues in Orange County. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board: 1) receive an update on the County's current broadband initiatives and a timeline of relevant events; and 2) approve and authorize the Manager to sign the attached agreement thereby allowing Open Broadband, LLC no cost access to County facilities for the purpose of appropriately attaching equipment in order to provide broadband services to rural Orange County residents.