Title
Federal Communications Commission Emergency Connectivity Fund Application and Agreement (Ordinance S-48006)
Description
Request to authorize the City Manager, or his designee, authorizing Phoenix Public Library’s application for funds from the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF) 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 funds in this application is $111,500.
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.
If awarded, the ECF would reimburse Phoenix Public Library, a total of $111,500, for monthly broadband service costs associated with existing library 285 WiFi Hotspots available for lending to library cardholders. The Emergency Connectivity Fund application window is from Sept. 28, 2021 through Oct. 13, 2021. Reimbursement for eligible equipment and services received or delivered is for costs expended between July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022.
This item has been reviewed and approved by the Information Technology Services Department.
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 monthly broadband services to 285 existing WiFi hotspots 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 the Library Department.