TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: Brian Ambrose, Community Services Director
PREPARED BY: Lea Kolek, Parks and Community Service Manager
SUBJECT:
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Grant Award for Broadband Access and Computers - Murrieta Youth Center
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RECOMMENDATION
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Ratify the Consent Form between the City of Murrieta and the California Public Utilities Commission for Broadband Access Grant funding in an amount not to exceed $9,003;
Formally accept the grant award from the California Public Utilities Commission in the amount of $9,003;
Authorize the City Manager to execute all related documents; and
Amend the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025/26 Operating Budget to establish a Special Revenue Fund to allocate and track expenditures associated with the Broadband Access Grant.
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PRIOR ACTION/VOTE
On June 3, 2025, the City Council adopted Joint Resolution No. 25-4837, MLB 25-201; CSD 25-285, RSA 25-35, MHA 25-45 approving the Operating Budget for Fiscal Years 2025/26 and 2026/27, authorizing Unassigned Fund Balances to be set aside in various Operating and Sustainability Reserves, approving the use of previously set aside Sustainability Reserves, and authorizing the transfer of those funds (Vote: 5-0).
CITY COUNCIL GOAL
Coordinate and deliver responsive, effective community services.
DISCUSSION
In January 2025, the City of Murrieta’s Community Services Department (CSD) submitted a grant application to the California Advanced Services Fund (CASF) Broadband Adoption Account to support computer upgrades and broadband enhancements at the Murrieta Youth Center (Center). The Center’s existing public computing lab includes slow and outdated devices. The project aims to modernize the lab with faster equipment and improved connectivity to serve more users.
In late May, the City received notice that it had been awarded $9,003 through the CASF program. The grant award required formal acceptance via the Consent Form, which had to be signed by an authorized City representative and submitted by June 28, 2025.
The grant funds will be used to replace eight computers and accessories (e.g., monitors, mice, keyboards) with computers well-suited for gaming, which is a popular activity at the Youth Center. The grant will cover approximately half the cost of these new computers. The existing computers will remain in service as homework computers.
Note on Timing of Grant Acceptance
The award letter, dated May 28, 2025, was received by staff a few days later. Due to the deadlines for the City Council meeting, and the grant’s June 28 acceptance deadline, it was not feasible to present the item to the City Council ahead of the required submission. To ensure the City did not forfeit the awarded funds, the Consent Form was routed to the City Manager for signature, as permitted under the grant terms, and submitted to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) in advance of the June 28 deadline.
This report is being brought forward on July 15 to formally acknowledge receipt and acceptance of the grant award.
Summary of Grant Requirements
As a condition of the grant, the City of Murrieta must:
o Provide free broadband access at the Youth Center within six months;
o Serve 660 participants through public computing and digital literacy training;
o Provide in-person or phone technical support within 24 hours;
o Maintain a cost of $42 per participant or less;
o Complete the project within 24 months of award acceptance; and
o Submit required progress and completion reports and maintain project documentation for audit purposes.
The City is responsible for submitting milestone and progress reports, maintaining documentation for audit for three years, and may submit up to three payment requests (final 10% withheld until project completion).
FISCAL IMPACT
Upon acceptance of the $9,003 grant award, the grant funds will be allocated in the Fiscal Year 2025/26 Operating Budget. The Finance Department will establish a Special Revenue Fund to track expenditures associated with the Broadband Access Grant, ensuring compliance with grant reporting and audit requirements.
ATTACHMENTS
1. CASF Award Letter (including Consent Form) dated May 28