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18. Google Fiber for CommunitiesCity Hall 10300 Torre Avenue Cupertino, CA 95014 -3255 (408) 777 -3212 FAX: (408) 777 -3366 CUPERTINO OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER SUMMARY Agenda Item No. to Meeting Date: March 16, 2010 SU BJECT Adopt the attached resolution supporting the City Df Cupertino's participation in Google's Fiber for Communities request for information. RECOMMENDATION The Technology, Information and Communication Commission has recommended approval of this item. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY In February, Google announced its plan to test ultra -high speed broadband networks in one or more trial locations across the country. The proposed networks would deliver Internet speeds more than 100 times faster thatz what most Americans have access to today, over 1 gigabit per second, fiber -to- the -home connections. Google has indicated that it will offer service at a competitive price to at least 50,000 and potentially up to 500,000 people. From now until March 26th, Google is asking interested municipalities to provide the company with information about their communities through a Request for information (RFI), which will be used to detennine where to' build the network. . As part of the RFI, Google has asked governing bodies to adopt a resolution in support of the response to the RFI. RECOMMENDED ACTION Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the- attached resolution in support of the Google Fiber for Communities RFI. Approved for Submission to the City Council: David W. Knapp City Manager 18 -1 Public and Environmental Affairs Director RESOLUTION NO. 10-056 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CUPERTINO DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION FOR THE GOOGLE FIBER FOR COMMUNITIES PROJECT WHEREAS, Google - has issued a Request for Infonnation (RFI) to identify communities in which to build an ultra -high -speed broadband network as part of a pilot project; and WHEREAS, Google will select a small number of locations throughout the United States to deliver internet speeds more than 100 times faster than what most Americans have access to today with 1 gigabit per second, fiber -to- the -home connections; and WHEREAS, responding to the Google RFI has been identified as a priority by many Cupertino residents and provides an opportunity for engagement and participation from members of the residential, high -tech, academic, and business communities and other community stakeholders; and WHEREAS, the City. of Cupertino is an ideal candidate for the Google Fiber for Communities program and would benefit significantly from this opportunity; and WHEREAS, the improvements in the broadband network infrastructure would enable Cupertino to maximize its potential as a leader in the high -tech industry and use its resources and intellectual properties to foster a wave of innovation for new applications and uses of technology; and WHEREAS, this program would provide the City of Cupertino with an opportunity to bridge the gaps in broadband network access and help address the inequalities between groups in the ability to fully utilize information technology; and WHEREAS, the City of Cupertino supports innovative initiatives, such as this opportunity presented by Google, that may contribute to the continued advancement of the high - tech industry and the enhanced sophistication of information technology; and WHEREAS, the Technology, Information and Telecommunications Commission of the City of Cupertino unanimously recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution to begin working on, and responding to, the Google RFI; NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CUPERTINO, that the City Manager is directed to work with stakeholders, including but limited to residents, high -tech, academic, and business communities, to draft and submit the City of Cupertino's response to the Google Fiber for Communities Request for Information. 18 -2 Resolution No. 10 -056 PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Cupertino this 16th day of March, 2010, by the following vote: Vote Members of the City Council AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: ATTEST: City Clerk APPROVED: Mayor, City of Cupertino 2 18 -3