CC SR 20220802 F - SBCCOG SBFN Support
CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: 08/02/2022
AGENDA REPORT AGENDA HEADING: Consent Calendar
AGENDA TITLE:
Consideration and possible action to authorize the Mayor to sign a letter in support of the
South Bay Fiber Network grant application.
RECOMMENDED COUNCIL ACTION:
(1) Authorize the Mayor to sign a letter to the California Public Utilities Commission
(CPUC) Local Agency Technical Assistance (LATA) grant program in support of
the South Bay Cities Council of Governments’ (SBCCOG) application to help fund
planning for the South Bay Fiber Network extension.
FISCAL IMPACT: None
Amount Budgeted: N/A
Additional Appropriation: N/A
Account Number(s): N/A
ORIGINATED BY: McKenzie Bright, Administrative Analyst
REVIEWED BY: Karina Bañales, Deputy City Manager
APPROVED BY: Ara Mihranian, AICP, City Manager
ATTACHED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS:
A. Draft letter supporting the SBCCOG South Bay Fiber Network grant
application (page A-1)
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION:
In November 2020, the SBCCOG completed work on the South Bay Fiber Network
(SBFN), with the intention that it could later expand. The SBFN is a dedicated fiber-optic
network in the South Bay, connecting city halls and other local regional public agencies ,
including the Rancho Palos Verdes Civic Center, with high-speed, low-cost broadband
connectivity.
The SBCCOG is beginning to plan for the extension of the SBFN and is in the process of
applying for the California Public Utility Commission (CPUC) Local Agency Technical
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Assistance (LATA) grant program. LATA grants may be used for eligible pre-construction
work facilitating broadband network projects to areas in need.
SBCCOG staff has requested the City consider sending a letter of support for the project,
to be included in its grant application (see Attachment A).
Given the City’s support of the SBFN, possible interest in expanding the City’s fiber
network (i.e. Ladera Linda Community Park Project, wifi at parks, technology hubs, etc.),
and of the SBCCOG’s priorities as a member-city, Staff recommends the City Council
authorize the Mayor to sign a letter supporting the SBCCOG’s LATA grant application to
plan for the expansion of the SBFN as drafted or with revisions.
ALTERNATIVES:
In addition to the Staff recommendation, the following alternative actions are available
for the City Council’s consideration:
1. Identify revised language to add to the letter.
2. Do not authorize the Mayor to sign the letter.
3. Take other action, as deemed appropriate.
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August 2, 2022 Via Email
Local Agency Technical Assistance Grant Review
California Public Utilities Commission
505 Van Ness Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94102
SUBJECT: Support for South Bay Cities Council of Government’s CPUC LATA
Grant Application
Dear Grant Review Team:
On behalf of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes, this letter expresses our City’s support for
the South Bay Cities Council of Governments’ (SBCCOG) CPUC Local Agency Technical
Assistance (LATA) grant application to plan the South Bay Fiber Network (SBFN)
expansion.
The impact from the COVID-19 pandemic has shown how critical internet access is. The
pandemic exposed historical challenges and inequities within our sub -region and, in
particular, within communities that continue to be disadvantaged by unequal access to
resources including areas in the South Bay where residents and businesses do not have
fast and reliable broadband. Our City, as a key stakeholder and partner in the SBCCOG’s
middle-mile SBFN, understands that our City and the region’s interests - economic,
resiliency, and quality of life - will be best served when the digital gaps across all of our
communities are addressed. All cities within the region will benefit when plans are
developed to bring last-mile infrastructure for those that are currently underserved –
infrastructure that will support telework, telehealth as well as digital learning and
workforce training.
As a member of the SBCCOG, we support its application and believe that the scope of
work will provide insights for all cities within the region and, in particular, for those that
are underserved. The data, insights, and planning deliverables will lead to shovel ready
last-mile projects that will leverage the SBCCOG’s existing middle-mile SBFN, ultimately
bridging the digital divide to create a better South Bay for everyone.
A-1
Local Agency Technical Assistance Grant Review
August 2, 2022
Page 2
Our City believes that having access to faster, reliable internet is a top priority for the sub-
region. We support the SBCCOG’s LATA grant application and the ongoing work to
improve the SBFN.
Sincerely,
David L. Bradley
Mayor, City of Rancho Palos Verdes
cc: Jacki Bacharach, SBCCOG Executive Director
Aaron Baum, SBCCOG Senior Project Manager
Rancho Palos Verdes City Council and City Manager
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