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Regular 6.
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| LAFCO |
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| Information |
| SUBJECT |
| Consider and adopt the Final Yolo Broadband Strategic Plan and direct staff to forward it to the county/city managers for consideration and implementation |
| RECOMMENDED ACTION |
| Consider and adopt the Final Yolo Broadband Strategic Plan and direct staff to forward it to the county/city managers for consideration and implementation. |
| FISCAL IMPACT |
The cost for the contract with Magellan Advisors, LLC to prepare this study was $42,600 plus a 10% contingency for authorized additional expenses. The consultant was requested to attend additional meetings to present this study to Yolo County and the cities of Woodland and Davis, which resulted in some additional costs that were outside the original scope of work. Therefore, additional expenses have been incurred that will be within this 10% contingency. Staff does not have the final invoice from the consultant yet. In addition to the consultant contracts, there were significant staff hours dedicated to this project. However, these costs were absorbed by the LAFCo annual budget.
The Commission will be discussing LAFCo's ongoing work effort to facilitate agency implementation of the Yolo Broadband Strategic Plan as part of the Work Plan on this same agenda. Ongoing costs associated with the Work Plan will be considered at the April meeting and adopted at the May meeting as part of LAFCo's annual budget. |
| REASONS FOR RECOMMENDED ACTION |
On October 24, 2013, LAFCo approved the contract with Magellan Advisors, LLC to prepare the Yolo Broadband Strategic Plan. The Draft Yolo Broadband Strategic Plan was presented to the Commission at the December 4, 2014 meeting.
The study has been completed and is being presented to the Commission for consideration and adoption. LAFCo commissioned this study on behalf of the cities and County as part of LAFCo's mission to provide information to promote efficient government services. One of the objects of the Commission is to make studies and to furnish information which will shape the development of local agencies so as to advantageously provide for the present and future needs of each county and its communities. |
| BACKGROUND |
Yolo Broadband Strategic Plan
LAFCo's intent with this study was to elevate awareness within our local agencies to plan for improved broadband services and provide each city/County with a "road map" of recommended action items to improve broadband services for their constituents.
The goals of this study as stated in the Request for Proposals were:
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To educate the community at large on the benefits of broadband and issues for broadband improvements and expansion; and
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To positively affect how broadband infrastructure and services are likely to develop countywide over the next 10 years; and
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To plan for optimal adoption and deployment of broadband in Yolo County; and
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To identify key short (3 years), mid (7 years) and long-term (10 years) broadband policies and initiatives that agencies countywide can develop to facilitate a unified technology policy direction; and
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To positively impact the policies, actions and directions of the cities in Yolo County, the County and other agencies and stakeholders relative to technology policy direction; and
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To identify key strategic broadband investments that could strengthen existing business capacity or attract new businesses; and
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To identify broadband capacity, equity, access and affordability gaps with a goal of achieving consistent broadband service access for all businesses, residents and visitors; and
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To communicate capabilities to stakeholders and to encourage full use of their potential.
The Strategic Plan includes an overview of current broadband conditions countywide and a detailed analysis for each of the cities and the County's unincorporated communities. Residential and business surveys were also conducted to compare actual service/speeds received to what internet providers are reporting to the California Public Utilities Commission. The Plan includes a broadband profile for each of the four cities and Yolo County, which concludes with action items tailored for each community plus common action items that all of the agencies should consider implementing.
Public Outreach/Review
The Draft YBSP has been presented to each city and Yolo County at the following meetings/dates:
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Board of Supervisors Facility Subcommittee - December 2, 2014
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Board of Supervisors Facility Subcommittee - January 13, 2015
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Woodland City Council Facility Subcommittee - January 13, 2015
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Winters City Council - February 3, 2015
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Board of Supervisors - February 24, 2015
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West Sacramento Economic Development Advisory Committee - February 25, 2015
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Woodland City Council - March 3, 2015
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Davis City Council - March 3, 2015
The response from each agency has generally been supportive and no changes have been requested to the draft plan.
Next Steps
The Plan includes action items tailored for each community, as well as common action items that all the agencies should consider implementing. These action items are recommendations only. LAFCo is essentially "passing the baton" and it will be up to each agency to implement any next steps as it determines. LAFCo has been asked to continue its role facilitating agency implementation, which will be discussed as part of the next agenda item regarding the LAFCo Annual Work Plan.
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