Title
Request Retroactive Authorization to Submit Annual Federal Communications Commission's Emergency Connectivity Fund Application and Enter Into Agreement (Ordinance S-47901)
Description
Request to authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to submit an application to the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF) for funding assistance and enter into an agreement with the ECF for the purpose of accepting funds awarded. Additionally request to authorize the City Treasurer to receive, and the City Controller to disburse, all funds related to this item for the life of the Emergency Connectivity Fund. The total of all funds in the application is $258,300.
Report
Summary
The ECF is a $7.17 billion program funded by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 to help schools and libraries support remote learning. The program will provide funding to schools and libraries for the reasonable costs of eligible equipment and services that can be provided to students, teachers, and library patrons who lack connected devices, such as laptop or tablet computers, and/or lack of broadband access during the pandemic.
The ECF would reimburse Phoenix Public Library for equipment purchases and monthly service costs purchased/delivered between July 1, 2021 and June 30, 2022. Phoenix Public Library currently lends 285 hotspots and 425 laptops to library cardholders. If awarded, Phoenix Public Library will acquire and provide broadband service for approximately 700 additional wifi hotspots through June 30, 2022, totaling approximately $258,300. Securing additional funds through the Emergency Connectivity Fund will allow the library laptop/wifi hotspot lending program to increase its capacity to address the community’s “connectivity gap”, offering library customers internet access for basic educational opportunities, remote learning, and library resources/services.
The ECF application filing window opened from June 29, 2021 through Aug. 13, 2021. Due to the short application window, Phoenix Public Library is requesting retroactive authorization. If not approved, the application will be withdrawn.
Contract Term
The funding period is July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022.
Financial Impact
There is no impact to the General Fund. Phoenix Public Library and City of Phoenix will be reimbursed the costs of providing equipment and internet access service through this program by the Emergency Connectivity Fund from July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022. No matching funds are required.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Inger Erickson and Phoenix Public Library.