PREPARED BY: MATT RODRIGUEZ DATE OF MEETING: 04/05/21
SUBJECT:
TITLE
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN PABLO APPROVING A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH THE WEST CONTRA COSTA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT REGARDING A PROOF OF CONCEPT PHASE FOR A PROPOSED WEST CONTRA COSTA EDCONNECT WIRELESS PROJECT
Label
CITY MANAGER RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Adopt Resolution
Body
Compliance statements
FY 2021-23 Council Priority Workplan Compliance Statement
Policy #410: Support Strategic Policy Objectives outlined in San Pablo Environment for Everything Digital (S.P.E.E.D.) Policy Framework (2020-2030); and Policy #410.1: Facilitate future SMART City 5G S.P.E.E.D. Network Projects, Policies and Services an adopted policy item under the FY 2021-23 Council Priority Workplan, effective March 15, 2021.
CEQA Compliance Statement
This is not a project as defined by CEQA
BACKGROUND
On October 19, 2021, the City Council adopted Resolution 2020-132 which adopted a new, integrated policy for future SMART City 5G strategic policy objectives into the current FY 2019-21 Council Priority Workplan, with the overall purpose to facilitate future external and internal Smart Cities 5G collaboration, networks, programs, and projects with appropriate third parties (i.e. private sector, public sector, other organizations).
The intention of the new SMART City 5G strategic policy framework was to enhance economic development, foster new private investment, and to close the “digital divide” for many low-income residents and small businesses in San Pablo who do not have access to high-speed internet, or Wi-Fi connectivity, and support public and private technology projects that promote digital inclusion, literacy and to close the “digital divide” for San Pablo residents.
FY 2021-23 Council Priority Workplan Adoption
Following City Council formal policy adoption, the FY 2021-23 Council Priority Workplan (Workplan), further amended on March 15, 2021 via Resolution 2021-026, contains the following adopted policies formally included in the Workplan:
Major Policy Goal: Economic Development & Diversification Priorities
Policy #410: Support Strategic Policy Objectives outlined in San Pablo Environment for Everything Digital (S.P.E.E.D.) Policy Framework (2020-2030)
Policy #410.1: Facilitate future SMART City 5G S.P.E.E.D. Network Projects, Policies and Services
Furthermore, contained in the City’s Strategic Goals under the City’s Adopted S.P.E.E.D. Policy Framework (Policy #410), a total of ten (10) strategic policy goals under the City’s adopted S.P.E.E.D. policy framework for potential policy and program implementation over the next ten (10) year period from 2020 - 2030 are identified.
These strategic policy goals enable the City Manager to direct resources to provide for future project or program feasibility going forward, and are pertinent to the proposed West Contra Costa Unified School District (WCCUSD) EdConnect Wireless Project (detailed below) initially in collaboration with the Cities of San Pablo and Richmond, and are in policy alignment for program development and implementation, as follows:
• Strategic Goal #2: Identify and pursue a public or private model to develop fiber optic and/or wireless network projects to foster community-wide educational and other social benefits.
• Strategic Goal #3: Deploy public Wi-Fi and other Smart City 5G Policy initiatives to enhance Quality of Life.
• Strategic Goal #4: Bridge the “digital divide” for local businesses and low-income residents within the City with access to high-speed Internet and wireless infrastructure.
• Strategic Goal #7: Ensure local school facilities have Wi-Fi access and support via creation of Wi-Fi “Hot Spots” near or adjacent to San Pablo schools to support Distance Learning Programs for local school children and families, especially due to ongoing COVID-19 pandemic impacts.
Proposed WCCUSD EdConnect Wireless Project
The WCCUSD is committed to bridging the digital divide for all District students and staff. To meet this immediate need for distance learning requirements during the COVID-19 pandemic, the WCCUSD has deployed over 5,600 Wi-Fi Hot Spots to date to local WCCUSD students and their families to foster distance and on-line connectivity and learning. However, there is a long-term permanent need, with the District embarking on a project called: “EdConnect Wireless Project” to build-out community wireless connectivity to WCCUSD students and families from their homes.
MOU - Proof of Concept (Phase I)
The first phase is the Proof of Concept (POC) phase to determine the technical and design specifications for the deployment of the EdConnect Wireless Project, and to determine whether full deployment of the POC throughout WCCUSD’s boundaries is operationally feasible. To do so, the WCCUSD intends to work with the Cities of San Pablo and Richmond to build out the POC in two (2) 3-block geographic areas located in each City, representing areas of immediate wireless or Wi-Fi connectivity need for District students and families.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the POC Phase has been developed with each City to set forth the general parameters and commitments of each agency/party to assist with the WCCUSD’s POC Phase, including identification of City public ROW assets to be addressed under the City’s Master License Agreement (MLA) for wireless infrastructure deployments on the City’s public right of way (ROW) tailored toward a WCCUSD-City public partnership.
City Council Wireless Projects/SP.E.E.D. Technology Ad-Hoc Subcommittee
On March 3, 2021, this City Council Ad-Hoc Subcommittee (Cruz; Pineda) met with the City Manager and staff to review the proposed concept of the District’s EdConnect Wireless Project, and discussed a DRAFT MOU for the POC phase. The Subcommittee supported the current WCCUSD and City collaborative efforts, and recommended that City staff continue ongoing discussions and specifications for the DRAFT MOU for the POC phase for future City Council approval, including potential use of City assets under the City’s Master License Agreement.
WCCUSD MOU Agreement Approval
Both the Cities of San Pablo and Richmond, in collaboration with WCCUSD staff, have finalized development of separate but similar MOU agreements for the POC phase. The MOU agreements for both cities were reviewed by the WCCUSD Facilities Subcommittee on March 17, 2021, with a presentation about the collaborations with both cities for a POC installation on potential city assets to determine the viability of connectivity, without hotspots, as a long-term solution to deliver connectivity to students.
On March 24, 2021, both MOU agreements between WCCUSD and both cities were subsequently approved by the WCCUSD Board of Trustees. See attached link to WCCUSD Board Agenda:
<https://simbli.eboardsolutions.com/SB_Meetings/ViewMeeting.aspx?S=36030499&MID=6107>
City Council MOU Approval
At this time, the City of San Pablo MOU approved by the WCCUSD Board action on March 24, 2021 is being presented to the City Council for formal adoption by majority vote via Resolution.
Note: The City Manager reports that the next phase (Deployment Phase) will involve the applicability and use of the City’s Master License Agreement which has been drafted (in the event WCCUSD intends to put structures on City facilities), and is currently under current discussions and review between WCCUSD and City staff
FISCAL IMPACT
No City funds have been identified at this time for this agenda item.
ATTACHMENT:
• WCCUSD and City of San Pablo Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for Proof of Concept Phase