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HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 11/07/2011 3.D eAviai T Jute #3 aD -185e DATE: November 7, 2011 TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council through City Manager FROM: Tim Williamsen, IT Manager- � / SUBJECT: Resolution in Support of-California Emerging Technology Fund's Get Connected! Initiative. RECOMMENDATION It is recommended that the City Council adopt the attached Resolution in Support of California Emerging Technology Fund's Get Connected! Initiative. BACKGROUND California Emerging Strategic Fund CETF was established pursuant to the California Public Utilities Commission as part of the approval of corporate mergers by SBC -ATT and MCI - Verizon. The purpose of CETF is to adopt goals that would expand adoptions and usage of broadband technology and to promote access to the internet. Collaboration with CETF is a recommended part of the implementation of the Economic Development Strategic Plan, adopted by the City Council November, 2010. Collaboration with CETF also positions Petaluma for consideration in their programs for expanding broadband internet access. Over the past several months, the Technology Committee has discussed support for the CETF Get Connected initiative and recommends that the City Council adopt a resolution in support of CETF's Get Connected! Initiative. DISCUSSION The City of Petaluma has consistently worked toward increasing community access to high speed internet. As well, the City and greater community have engaged in efforts to assure advancement in technology Some notable examples include: ® The formation of the Telecommunications and Technology Committee (now Technology Committee) in 2005. This was the culmination and evolution of the Petaluma Cyber City Roundtable from the 1990's. ® Development of, and continued expansion of a City web site since 1997 (before many other cities). Agenda Review: City Attorney Finance Director City Ma 1 ® Early adoption of online permit processing (would now be called "cloud computing ") in 2000. ® Early adoption of online web streaming (Granicus) of meetings, February 2005. ® Approval of deployment programs for public wifi internet access, April 2005 and November 2007. • The Economic Development Strategic Plan (adopted November 2010) contains several mentions of technology importance and contains several technology- specific recommendations. The City has had, for some time now, a broader interest in bridging the Digital Divide. The Digital Divide refers to the difficulties that economically disadvantaged families and individuals have in accessing the internet. This broader interest stems from the Petaluma Cyber City Roundtable and has been followed by the Technology Committee for many years, since 2005. Specific examples include: O Community centers in affordable housing projects have for several years been providing computer and internet access to residents. Discussed in the Technology Committee in 2005. ® Approval of deployment programs for public wifi internet access, April 2005 and November 2007. Adoption of this resolution gives indications to internet service providers (notably ATT, Comcast, Sonic.Net) and communications carriers that the City of Petaluma is interested in equal access to the internet for economically disadvantaged families and individuals. While the carriers have regulatory requirements in coverage and accessibility, adoption of this resolution gives added emphasis to carriers as to the importance of internet access in Petaluma. FINANCIAL IMPACTS No direct financial impact. Staff time is limited to work programs already in place or that which would be performed in the normal course of business. ATTACHMENTS 1. Resolution in Support of California Emerging Technology Fund's Get Connected! Initiative. • ATTACHMENT 1 • RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF CALIFORNIA EMERGING TECHNOLOGY FUND'S GET CONNECTED INITIATIVE. WHEREAS, Get Connected! is a project of the California Emerging Technology Fund (CETF), a non - profit corporation established pursuant to orders from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) upon approving the mergers of SBC -AT &T and Verizon -MCI in 2005; and WHEREAS, the CPUC has stated that the CETF should adopt goals that would expand adoption and usage of broadband technology and promote ubiquitous access; and WHEREAS, the City of Petaluma finds that high -speed Internet access is essential in a digital world and global economy; and WHEREAS, the City of Petaluma recognizes that California is home to innovations that have given rise to the evolution of broadband and other information technologies; and WHEREAS, the City of Petaluma is committed to helping families and children understand that the use of broadband can help them bridge the gap in their academic achievement in their quest to obtain the highest quality education possible; and WHEREAS, the City of Petaluma recognizes that it has the opportunity to impact broadband deployment and welcomes the opportunity to partner with the California Emerging Technology Fund to encourage the adoption of broadband technology. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE CITY COUNCIL supports the California Emerging Technology Fund in launching and promoting Get Connected!, a public awareness program to close. the Digital. Divide and reduce barriers to internet access and use by economically disadvantaged families and individuals.