HomeMy WebLinkAboutres2024-019Whatcom County COUNTY COURTHOUSE
311 Grand Avenue, Ste #105
y' Bellingham, WA 98225-4038
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Agenda Bill Report
File Number: AB2024-253
File ID: AB2024-253 Version: 1 Status: Approved
File Created: 04/02/2024 Entered by: DBrown@co.whatcom.wa.us
Department: Council Office File Type: Resolution
Assigned to: Council Committee of the Whole Final Action: 04/09/2024
Agenda Date: 04/09/2024 Enactment #: RES 2024-019
Related Files:
Primary Contact Email: DBrown@co.whatcom.wa.us
TITLE FOR AGENDA ITEM:
Resolution in support of expanding access to affordable and reliable internet for all residents of
Whatcom County
SUMMARY STATEMENT OR LEGAL NOTICE LANGUAGE:
See Resolution.
HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE FILE
Date: Acting Body: Action: Sent To:
04/09/2024 Council Committee of the Whole NOT ACTED UPON
04/09/2024 Council APPROVED
Aye: 5 Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Galloway, and Scanlon
Nay: 2 Elenbaas, and Stremler
Attachments: Proposed Resolution
Whatcom County Page 1 Printed on 411012024
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PROPOSED BY: GALLOWAY
INTRODUCTION DATE:
RESOLUTION NO. 2024-019
IN SUPPORT OF EXPANDING ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE AND RELIABLE INTERNET
FOR ALL RESIDENTS OF WHATCOM COUNTY
WHEREAS, internet is an essential utility and critical infrastructure often requiring
significant public investment; and
WHEREAS, many communities within Whatcom County do not have adequate
access to affordable, reliable, high-speed internet, as defined by the Washington State
Broadband Office's goals established under RCW 43.330.536; and
WHEREAS, this lack of access has created a digital divide and exacerbated
inequities in rural and already unserved and underserved communities; and
WHEREAS, many people rely upon stable internet for meeting basic needs such as
working, operating a business, attending school, accessing healthcare, or purchasing goods
and services remotely; and
WHEREAS, Whatcom County is a supportive partner with the Port of Bellingham
(Port) and Public Utility District No. 1 of Whatcom County (PUD) in the effort to expand
broadband throughout Whatcom County; and
WHEREAS, Whatcom County has invested millions of dollars in matching funds for
high -priority Port and PUD broadband projects throughout rural Whatcom County; and
WHEREAS, on April 15, 2023, Whatcom County entered into an interlocal
agreement (Contract #202304010) formalizing its partnership with the Port and PUD; and
WHEREAS, the interlocal agreement provides a framework to coordinate and
collaborate, including the establishment of a joint broadband steering committee to facilitate
and provide joint decision -making on a publicly owned rural broadband fiber network; and
WHEREAS, the PUD has expressed willingness to provide technical expertise and
assistance in the planning, development, and operation of a geographic information systems
(GIS) broadband mapping tool; and
WHEREAS, communication, coordination, and collaboration locally, regionally, and
across the state is key to advocating for and accessing state and federal funding
opportunities to expand internet access; and
WHEREAS, Whatcom County participates in SWISS (Snohomish, Whatcom, Island,
Skagit and San Juan County), a group facilitated by the Washington State Association of
Counties (WSAC); and
WHEREAS, SWISS provides an opportunity for regional coordination and
collaboration on several shared priorities including expanding equitable, affordable access to
1 quality, reliable, high-speed broadband internet, especially in underserved, unserved, and
2 distressed communities; and
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4 WHEREAS, SWISS and WSAC have facilitated opportunities for counties, including
5 Whatcom County, to provide feedback to state and federal leaders, including the
6 Washington State Broadband Office (WSBO) and National Telecommunications and
7 Information Administration (NTIA), and participate in the Broadband Equity, Access, and
8 Deployment (BEAD) program process; and
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10 WHEREAS, in addition to local and regional coordination, Whatcom County can take
11 steps internally to help facilitate opportunities to expand internet access; and
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13 WHEREAS, establishing policy and processes that facilitate notification and
14 coordination of construction activities, including utility installation, during planned road
15 construction projects and permitted residential, commercial, and industrial development can
16 help streamline processes, increase efficiency, minimize excavation on roads, reduce costs,
17 and expand access to affordable and reliable internet for all residents of Whatcom County;
18 and
19 WHEREAS, the Whatcom County Council supports any additional resources that may
20 be needed to successfully develop and manage these policies and processes, recognizing
21 increased access to affordable and reliable internet as a great investment.
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23 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Whatcom County Council supports
24 the County taking the following actions to support internet for all in Whatcom County:
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26 1. Amend Whatcom County Code Chapter 12.24 Franchise Requirements to include
27 notification and coordination of construction activities, including utility installation,
28 within County Rights -of -Way between Whatcom County, franchise grantees, and all
29 interested utility providers;
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31 2. Develop a notification system to inform all interested parties of opportunities to
32 coordinate construction activities, including utility installation, within County Rights-
33 of -Way, planned road construction projects, and permitted residential, commercial,
34 and industrial development;
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36 3. Recognize internet as a utility in all relevant policy, planning, regulatory, and
37 permitting documents and processes, including but not limited to, in the
38 Comprehensive Plan and in permit review and site plan check lists for development
39 as applicable;
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41 4. Continue using EDI funds to leverage state and federal funds for internet
42 infrastructure, prioritizing public, open access mid- and last mile projects that
43 advance digital equity and rural internet connectivity;
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45 5. Partner with the PUD, Port, and other relevant parties to develop a multilayered GIS
46 map that can inventory current internet availability, identify high -priority areas that
47 align with the County's Comprehensive Plan, planned road construction projects, and
48 permitted development, inform the County's role in facilitating notification and
49 coordination, and track utility infrastructure installed as a result of these actions;
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51 6. Actively participate in local, regional, and statewide coordination efforts, such as with
52 the joint broadband steering committee, SWISS, WSAC, and the Regional Broadband
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Action Team, to proactively identify and evaluate opportunities to collaboratively
improve internet access regionally and throughout Whatcom County.
ADOPT�Qji hdp; 9th day of April , 2024.
FE,a F WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
T°®4 ` t HATCOf , WASHINGTON
f, ®/
Dana'.Browrr-D�ayek ofFie Council
All
APPROVED AS'TO FORM:1 "
Civil Deputy Prosecutor
Barry jBuchanan, Council Chair