2003-01-27 Regular Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

• EXHIBIT "A" • REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM Agenda Date Requested: ] ebruar 11 2002 Requested By: Department: Admi~tstrative Services Report: Resolution: Ordinance: X Eabibits: Ordinance No. 2002- E:bibits: BEACON Interlocal Collaborative Agreement & Forms Ezbibits: Narrative (lwervie~v of Prntiect Auorouriation Source of Funds: C1P Fund Account Number. 015-9892-781-1100 Amount Budgeted: 350000.00 Amount Requested: 67500.00 Budgeted Item: YES NO SUMMARY & RECOMMENDATION In September of 2001, on behalf of the La Porte community, La Porte Independent School District (LPISD) was awarded a $525,000.00 grant from the Texas Telecommunications Infrastructure Fund (TIC for a community network to be known as BEACON LBayshore Equitable Access Community On-line Network). $25,000.00 has been received for funding the consultant to facilitate the planning phase and assist with required documentation $500,00.00 will be available upon TIF's approval of the community's proposed plan City staff has been attending various meetings with Jim Schul, LPISD Executive Director for Technology, and members of local organizations to plan details for the BEACON program. The intent of the program is to provide as much computer /Internet access to information for ow community as possible, especially, for ow underserved populations/areas. Some locations (lozown as public access points) will be desirable for 24 how access opportunities. This giant is not specific to I.PISD. It is for the entire community. The public was asked, to complete a written survey for the BEACON committee to determine and prioritize the community's actual computer /Internet access needs. Surveys were sent home with LPISD students and were included in employee paychecks. Approximately 2,000 surveys were received. Mr. Schul is asking the City not only to support the BEACON concept, but also to be an active participant Staff has reviewed and selected the following City facilities as public~access points for kiosks and / or personal computers: City Hall, Recreation Fitness Center, Golf Course, Jennie Riley, Brookgleq Evelyn Kennedy, and Fairmont Panic Civic Centers. One requirement of the grant is a minimum 10% match of local funds to show a good faith commitment by the community. As one of the key participants and the project's fiscal agent, I.PISD is committing $102,000.00 towards the project. The BEACON organization is requesting that the City, as another key participant, commit in-kind resources totaling a value of $67,500.00 as a local match towards this project. Once the grant is awarded, computer equipment (including wiring, etc.) purchased to operate the City's wide area networking (WAN) system, during the term of the grant, may be credited as an in--kind match. Also, the City will be requested to assign a representative to serve on the BEACON Govenning Board. In addition to project management funding, this grant will fund major high-speed equipment (wireless components, installation /configuration, testing; public computers, kiosks, etc.), which will allow the City an extreiYtely high-speed connection to the Internet, as well as; allow the City to proceed with its technology plan. The revised deadline for submitting the grant request is by February 15, 2002. Action Required by Council: Adopt an Ordinance authorrcing the City Manager to execute the BEACON Interlocal Collaborative Agreement and all related documents, committing in-kind resources valued at $67,500.00, to obtain TIF grant funding. Aonroved for City Council As:enda a? 8 o R rt T. H City Manager ~ Date