HomeMy WebLinkAbout8 Broadband Committee Updatep' TRUCKEE DONNER
Public Utility District
MEETING DATE: January 5, 2022
TO: Board of Directors
AGENDA ITEM # 8
FROM: Steven Poncelet, Public Information and Strategic Affairs
Director
SUBJECT: Informational Update on the Board Community Broadband
Committee
APPROVED BY
Brian C. Wright, General Manager
RECOMMENDATION:
Receive this informational report and provide input.
DISCUSSION:
In November, the Committee set the goal of presenting theirfinal recommendations to the
District Board at the March 2, 2022 regularly scheduled Board meeting. District staff
provided an update to the Board during the regularly scheduled December 1, 2021 Board
meeting.
The Committee met again on December 16, 2021. The agenda is attached (Attachment 1).
Key highlights from the December 16, 2021 Committee meeting include:
• Adopted Resolution 2021-02 to continue remote meetings;
• Reconfirmed the initial project scope and the proposed goals prepared by the
General Manager Community Broadband Task Force and listed in previous
reports and the timeline to present recommendations to the District's Board
at the March 2, 2022 Board meeting;
• The committee needs a viable recommendation for the community;
• Provided updates from the three working groups:
o Supply Group: Investigating existing TDPUD fiber/communication
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assets, existing contract with Plumas Sierra Telecom (PST); and
existing Broadband technologies (particularly last -mile). Concern
about the timing of the expiration of District's existing contract with
PST (February 22, 2022) and the Committee's recommendations to
the Board on March 2, 2022;
o Demand Group: Looking into the changing California definition of
`underserved' for broadband in communities. Working to build the
demand case locally and are basing this case on the need 5-10 years
out; and
o Bench marking/Funding Group: Discussing a wide -variety of
questions and working to narrow their focus. Shared the belief that, if
the District moves forward, the new broadband entity would need to
be a totally separate business from the District's traditional utilities.
Investigating different business models and funding sources for their
recommendation; and
• Each working group will provide draft recommendation at the next Committee
meeting on January 13, 2022 to begin consolidation into one
recommendation for the Board.
GOALS:
3. Engage with our customers and communities in a welcoming and transparent way to
identify opportunities.
4. Take the best of private sector thinking to modernize the utility and add value to our
communities.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no direct fiscal impact associated with this informational item.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Regular Broadband Committee Meeting December 16, 2021 at 3:30 p.m. Agenda
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