REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL FROM: AARON A. AGUIRRE, Director Parks, After School, Recreation, and Community Services Department SHELBY MACNAB, Assistant Director Parks, After School, Recreation, and Community Services Department BY: CHANELL WEST, Senior Management Analyst Parks, After School, Recreation, and Community Services Department SUBJECT ..Title ***RESOLUTION - Authorize the City Manager or designee to apply for a grant of up to $200,000 from the California Public Utilities Commission to fund Digital Literacy Education and Digital Access and Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute all documents related to this grant on behalf of the City (Citywide) (Subject to Mayor's Veto) ..Body RECOMMENDATIONS Staff recommends the City Council authorize staff to apply for a grant of up to $200,000 from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) California Advance Services Fund (CASF) Broadband Adoption Account to fund digital literacy education and digital access over a 24-month period at seven (7) community centers. Staff also recommends the City Council authorize the City Manager or designee to execute the CASF Grant Agreement (if awarded) and sign all documents related to the CASF grant on behalf of the City. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The PARCS Department is seeking grant funding from the CPUC to provide digital literacy education and digital access through digital literacy training and earned take-home devices and mobile hotspots for eligible community members at seven (7) community centers in high-need areas throughout Fresno. The digital literacy classes will serve seniors and individuals with disabilities as part of PARCS' Senior Program and Adaptive Recreation Program. BACKGROUND Funding for the CASF Broadband Adoption Account comes from State AB 1665, signed into law by Governor Brown in 2017. AB 1665 authorizes around $20 million in funding annually for the provision of grants for digital literacy and broadband access in communities with demonstrated low broadband access. Digital literacy programming will take place over a 24-month period at seven (7) community centers. Community centers selected for programming are geographically distributed and currently offer senior and/or adaptive recreation activities. Community centers are also in or near neighborhoods with demonstrated low rates of access to broadband internet at home including the Link, Pinedale, Ted C. Wills, Mosqueda, Inspiration, Mary Ella Brown, and Lafayette. During the project period, PARCS will provide eight (8) hours of digital literacy education to approximately 260 Fresno residents and distribute approximately 120 take-home devices to eligible low-income residents who complete all eight (8) hours of digital literacy education as required by the grant. ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS Pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15378, this item is not a project for the purposes of CEQA. LOCAL PREFERENCE Local preference is not applicable since this item will not include a bid or award of a construction or services contract. FISCAL IMPACT The General Fund will not be impacted by this project. If the grant is awarded, PARCS will be responsible for a 15% project match (up to $30,000), which PARCS will provide in-kind in the form of existing salaries and utilities. Attachment: Resolution