2002-02-25 Regular Meeting and Workshop Meeting

Browse Search

REQlsT FOR CITY COUNCIL AJtNDA ITEM Apda Dale Requested: --nfd'::"1J: 11,1002 Requested By: Carnl B~ Department: A.dp'iuilltrati.ve S~"';cel Aoorooriation Source of Funds: CIP Fund Account Number: 015-9892-781-1100 Report: Resolution: Ordinance: x Amount Budgeted: 350,000.00 Exhibits: Ordinance No. 2002- Amount Requested: 67.500.00 Exhibits: BEACON Interlocal Collaborative Ae:reement & Forms Budgeted Item: YES NO Narrative Overview ofPrQject Exhibits: 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 (TIF) for a community network to be known as BEACON @.ayshore ~quitable Access rommunity Qn-line ~etwork). $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 TIP'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 I Internet access to information for our community as possible, especially, for our underserved populations/areas. Some locations (known as public access points) will be desirable for 24-hour access opportunities. This grant is not specific to LPISD. It is for the entire community. The public was asked to complete a written survey for the BEACON committee to detennine and prioritize the community's actual computer I 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 I or personal computers: City Hall, Recreation Fitness Center, Golf Course, Jennie Riley, Brookglen, Evelyn Kennedy, and Fainnont Parle 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, LPISD 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 Governing Board. In addition to project management funding, this grant will fund major high-speed equipment (wireless components, installation I configuration, testing, public computers, kiosks, etc.), which will allow the City an extremely 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 .equest is by February 15, 2002. Action Reauired bv Council: Adopt an Ordinance authorizing 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. ;;/8/o~ Date f (