HomeMy WebLinkAboutRESOLUTION 79-24RESOLUTION 79-24
GRANTING TOWN STAFF SIGNATURE AUTHORITY
FOR COLORADO'S ADVANCE-BROADBAND EQUITY, ACCESS, AND
DEPLOYMENT (BEAD) PROGRAM
WHEREAS, the Town of Estes Park acting by and through its Power and Communications
Enterprise owns and operates Trailblazer Broadband; and
WHEREAS, the Town desires to expand Trailblazer Broadband's fiber optic infrastructure to
the most rural areas of Power and Communications' service area; and
WHEREAS, the higher cost of construction combined with the cost of operations, maintenance,
and future capital infrastructure replacement costs creates an unsustainable business model
without grant funding support; and
WHEREAS, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) awarded Colorado $826.5 million
to provide all Coloradans with affordable, reliable, high-speed internet.
WHEREAS, the Colorado Broadband Office established an online application intake process
for grant applications; and
WHEREAS, section 6.1.1 of the BEAD grant application requires the Town to identify a
Signature Authority who is authorized to obligate and enter into contracts for the Town, is
knowledgeable about the proposed Project(s), and can answer questions related to both Town
and Applications; and
WHEREAS, Finance Purchasing Policy 601 - Spending Authority & Limits, requires Town
Board approval for expenditures over $100,000; and
WHEREAS, the grant requires a 25% cash match, which is expected to be in the range of
$1.5M to $2M, exceeding staff's authority, if awarded grant(s); and
WHEREAS, the Signature Authority is required to be knowledgeable about the proposed
Project(s) and must log into the online grant application system to answer questions related to
both Town and Applications; and
WHEREAS, staff believes the Town Administrator, Utilities Director, Finance Director, Town
Clerk/Human Resources Director, or Power and Communication Line Superintendent is best
suited to log in and perform these tasks; and
WHEREAS, the Town Board, acting as the governing board of the Enterprise, has determined
that it is appropriate to allow the Town Administrator or his designee listed in the above clause
to log into the Colorado Broadband Office online BEAD grant application platform and submit
grant applications; and
WHEREAS, if we are awarded grant(s), staff must present the grant agreement(s) to the Board
for its approval including consideration of the appropriation of any required funding.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF
THE TOWN OF ESTES PARK, COLORADO:
The Board authorizes the Town Administrator or his designee to be the Applicant's Signature
Authority for the Colorado BEAD grant applications.
DATED this Z^- day of _0ciff^e_^^_, 2024.
TOWN OF ESTES PARK
Mayor
ATTEST:
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TowrQlerk
APPp^VED AS TO FORM:
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/Special pbjunsel
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