Authorize the County Chief Technology Officer authority to accept, on behalf of Yolo County, the Local Agency Technical Assistance Grant in the amount of $500,000 from the California Public Utilities Commission; adopt a budget resolution adjusting the fiscal year 2022-23 Innovation & Technologies Services budget appropriations by $500,000 and authorize the Chair of the Board of Supervisors to execute a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Golden State Connect Authority (GSCA) for the purpose of engaging network design professionals in the development of broadband network designs for priority unserved/under-served project areas within the county. (No general fund impact) (4/5 vote required) (Gerney)

Pursuant to the Budget Act of 2021 and Senate Bill (SB) 156, $6 billon in funding has been allocated to build out broadband networks in California's unserved/underserved areas.  As part of that $6 billion investment, the California Public Utilities Commission has authorized a total of $50 million in funds for technical assistance under a new tribal and local agency technical assistance program (LATA) grant program.  On February 24th, 2022 the Commission approved Decision 22-02-026 which established the LATA grant program and implemented current requirements and guidelines to allow CPUC staff to award up to $500,000 to local agencies to support expansion of broadband networks to unserved and underserved areas throughout the state.  These grants can be used for eligible pre-construction expenses such as needs assessments, environmental and engineering studies, and network designs. On August 29th, 2022 the county applied for a LATA Grant in the amount of $500,000 through the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and the County was notified on October 17, 2022 that the grant has been approved.   

On September 28th, 2021 and by Resolution No. 21-117, the Yolo County Board of Supervisors authorized executing the Golden State Connect Authority Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement for Yolo County to join the GSCA JPA as a member county for the purpose of expanding broadband access and quality in Yolo County.  Upon acceptance of the grant as a member county of the GSCA JPA, the County would enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with GSCA for the purpose of engaging network design professionals in the development of network designs for the priority unserved/under-served project areas within the county.  GSCA will contract with Tilson Technology on the County's behalf for professional network design services. Similarly, GSCA will enter into an MOU with UTOPIA Fiber on the County's behalf for engineering and network design management, advising and directing the work of Tilson.

The program of work will be divided into three distinct project areas, each intended to serve as standalone work products that would be submitted to the CPUC for reimbursement. The three distinct project areas include:
     1. Conceptual Network Design and Cost Estimation – Anticipated to take 1-2 months
     2. Refined High-Level Design and Foundational Planning – Anticipated to take 2-3 months
     3. Low-Level Design and Engineering – Anticipated to take 3-6 months
*In all cases, every effort will be made to condense timelines and complete all phases as soon as possible

GSCA will manage the grant and the associated work products to ensure it meets required standards and milestones associated with the specific projects presented in the scopes of work.  This structure will also alleviate cash flow issues presented by the “reimbursement” approach for Yolo County, as GSCA assumes the role as contractor of the professional services.  At the conclusion of the work activities the County will have shovel-ready construction plans that can be used to partner with GSCA and/or local service providers to expand broadband networks in Yolo County.

California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), Rural County Representatives of California (RCRC), Golden State Connect Authority (GSCA), County Administrator's Office, County Counsel, Innovation & Technology Services