Agenda Item#__________
Columbus Consolidated Government
Council Meeting
Agenda Report#_____________
To: Mayor and Council
Subject: The Columbus, GA, -based version of the 2015-2016 Knight Cities
Challenge
Initiated By: Information Technology
________________________________________________________________________
Recommendation: Approval is requested to submit an application and if
approved, accept funds from the Community Foundation of the Chattahoochee
Valley for The Columbus, GA, -based version of the 2015-2016 Knight Cities
Challenge for Public Wi-Fi at City Owned Venues and to amend the
Multi-Governmental Fund (or applicable fund) by the amount of the grant
awarded. The grant amount requested is $229,950.00, or otherwise awarded, with
no local match, but implementation will be by the CCG Information Technology
Staff, to be used for Public Wi-Fi around and inside the Natatorium, Plaza area
of Government Center, and area surrounding the Civic Center.
Background: Currently the public has to rely on commercial, or business
coverage for Wi-Fi Internet service in public spaces. This project will begin
to address the needs of the public, especially the underserved in the
community, obtain reliable free internet service in the spaces owned by the
city. The newness of the project is really in terms of this needs to be done in
a modern city, but no one has started the process in Columbus. This type
project is best suited for local government and not private entities. Public
space is the first step towards the ?well connected ?Gigabit city??. The grant
will run for 18 months.
Analysis: Public amenities like public Wi-Fi have been shown to attract and
retaining talent for the community, expanding economic opportunity and creating
a culture of civic engagement.
Financial Considerations: The grant amount requested is $229,950.00 for the
Information Technology Department. The City is not required to provide matching
funds to participate in this grant, but implementation will be by the CCG
Information Technology Staff.
Legal Considerations: The City has to certify the following:
1. You hereby represent that the Proposal is an original work of your, your
employees or agents.
2. You agree that the Community Foundation of the Chattahoochee Valley, Inc.
may share your information and the contents of your application with partners,
funding or otherwise.
3. You agree that the Community Foundation of the Chattahoochee Valley, Inc.
has permission to use, reproduce, distribute, prepare derivative works of and
display the contents of your application without compensation or notification,
including without limitation, the promotion and redistribution of the contents
in any media formats and through any media channels.
Additionally, the City will be obligated to comply with the terms of the grant.
Recommendation: Authorize a resolution to approve the City to submit an
application for, and if awarded, accept a grant from the Community Foundation
of the Chattahoochee Valley for The Columbus, GA, -based version of the
2015-2016 Knight Cities Challenge for Public Wi-Fi at City Owned Venues and
to amend the Multi-Governmental Fund (or applicable fund) by the amount of the
grant awarded.
A RESOLUTION
NO. _____
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER OR THEIR DESIGNEE TO APPLY FOR AND
ACCEPT, IF AWARDED, A GRANT FROM THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF THE CHATTAHOOCHE
VALLEY IN THE AMOUNT OF $229,950.00 OR AS OTHERWISE AWARDED, WITH NO LOCAL
MATCH REQUIRED, BUT IMPLEMENTATION WILL BE BY THE CCG INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
STAFF, FOR THE PURPOSE OF PUBLIC Wi-Fi AT CITY OWNED VENUES, AND TO AMEND THE
MULTI-GOVERNMENTAL FUND (OR APPLICABLE FUND) BY THE AMOUNT OF THE AWARD.
WHEREAS, the Community Foundation of the Chattahoochee Valley has made grant
funds available for The Columbus, GA, -based version of the 2015-2016 Knight
Cities Challenge; and,
WHEREAS, Public Wi-Fi around and inside the Natatorium, Plaza area of
Government Center, and area surrounding the Civic Center is needed: and,
WHEREAS, Wi-Fi in Public spaces is the first step towards a well-connected
?Gigabit city?; and,
WHEREAS, Public amenities like public Wi-Fi have been shown to attract and
retain talent for the community, expanding economic opportunity and creating a
culture of civic engagement; and,
WHEREAS, The Columbus, GA, -based version of the 2015-2016 Knight Cities
Challenge can provide funding for Public Wi-Fi at these City Owned Venues.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA, HEREBY RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
That the City Manager is hereby authorized to submit an application for
and if awarded, accept a grant from the Community Foundation of the
Chattahoochee Valley in the amount of $229,950.00, or as otherwise awarded,
with no local match, but implementation will be by the CCG Information
Technology Staff, and to amend the Multi-Governmental Fund (or applicable fund)
by the amount awarded.
___________
Introduced at a regular meeting of the Council of Columbus, Georgia, held
the 12th day of April 2016, and adopted at said meeting by the affirmative vote
of ______ members of said Council.
Councilor Allen voting __________.
Councilor Baker voting __________.
Councilor Barnes voting __________.
Councilor Davis voting __________.
Councilor Henderson voting __________.
Councilor Huff voting __________.
Councilor Buck voting __________.
Councilor Turner Pugh voting __________.
Councilor Thomas voting __________.
Councilor Woodson voting __________.
_____________________________
_________________________
Tiny B. Washington, Clerk of Council Teresa Pike
Tomlinson, Mayor
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