Title
To request that the Chief Administrative Officer cause to be prepared a plan that provides for the achievement of certain objectives for broadband accessibility and affordability within the city of Richmond, including the designation of a coordinator of broadband telecommunications resources for the City.
Body
WHEREAS, pursuant to section 2.2-205.2 of the Code of Virginia (1950), as amended, the Commonwealth of Virginia has designated an official, known as the Commonwealth Broadband Chief Advisor, to coordinate the use of the Commonwealth’s broadband telecommunications resources for maximum availability and affordability for all regions of the state; and
WHEREAS, upon information and belief of the Council, a plan that provides for the achievement of certain objectives for broadband accessibility and affordability within the city of Richmond, including the designation of a coordinator of broadband telecommunications resources for the City, would increase the accessibility and affordability of broadband access for all communities within the city of Richmond; and
WHEREAS, the Council believes that it is in the best interests of the citizens of the City of Richmond that the Council request that the Chief Administrative Officer cause to be prepared a plan that provides for the achievement of certain objectives for broadband accessibility and affordability within the city of Richmond, including the designation of a coordinator of broadband telecommunications resources for the City, for the purpose of increasing the accessibility and affordability of broadband access for all communities within the city of Richmond;
NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND:
That the Council hereby requests that the Chief Administrative Officer cause to be prepared a plan that provides for the achievement of the objectives for broadband accessibility and affordability within the city of Richmond set forth in this resolution, including the designation of a coordinator of broadband telecommunications resources for the City.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
That the Council hereby requests that the plan for which this resolution calls include the following objectives, to the extent permitted by law:
1. Oversight and coordination by the broadband telecommunications resources coordinator designated by the Chief Administrative Officer of efforts and initiatives designed to increase and improve the accessibility and affordability of broadband for all residents of the city of Richmond.
2. Establishment and coordination of contracting services for designing and implementing a citywide broadband network for the purposes of providing free or reduced-cost service for lower-income residents and students residing within the city of Richmond.
3. Establishment of methods, as determined by a set of need-based metrics, for providing all students of Richmond Public Schools and their families with affordable access to broadband.
4. Pursuit of state and federal funds for broadband expansion in areas characterized as urban and rural in accordance with any applicable state or federal laws, rules, or regulations.
5. Pursuit and management of funds in accordance with the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, H.R. 1319, 117th Cong., 1st Sess. (2021-2022) and other federal broadband infrastructure funding, as necessary, to support the objectives set forth in this resolution.
6. Implementation of plan for a citywide wireless network to allow residents and visitors of the city of Richmond to easily connect to the internet from anywhere within the city of Richmond, including the City’s parks system.
Integration and coordination of the activities of City agencies and departments with internet service providers offering service or potentially offering broadband service within the city of Richmond.