Title
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF DULUTH TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION TO THE
STATE DEED OFFICE OF BROADBAND DEVELOPMENT FOR A $3.2 MILLION
BROADBAND DEVELOPMENT GRANT.
Body
CITY PROPOSAL:
RESOLVED, the Duluth city council hereby authorizes an application to the State of Minnesota
Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) Office of Broadband
Development for a Broadband Development Grant Program grant in the amount of up to $3.2
Million to fund a portion of the cost of a broadband pilot project in Lincoln Park, to assist in removing gaps for digital access to
residents, increasing affordability, speed and reliability, and competition between internet
providers; and
FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City shall act as a sponsor for said the aforesaid project; and
FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City has the legal authority to apply for the grant and the
institutional, managerial, and financial capability to ensure adequate project administration; and
FURTHER RESOLVED that the sources and amounts of the local match identified in the
application are committed to the project identified; and
FURTHER RESOLVED that the City has not violated federal, state or local laws pertaining to
fraud, bribery, graft, kickbacks, collusion, conflict of interest or other unlawful or corrupt practice;
and
FURTHER RESOLVED that upon approval of its application by the state, The City may enter
into an agreement with the State of Minnesota for the above referenced project, and that the City
certifies that it will comply with all applicable laws and regulation as stated in all contract
agreements; and
FURTHER RESOLVED, that upon approval by the state, the mayor and clerk are authorized to
execute such documents as are necessary to implement the project on behalf of the City and
certifies that it will comply with all applicable laws and regulation as stated in all contract
agreements; and
FURTHER RESOLVED, that if awarded and approved, the City hereby commits to contribute
the required matching funds for the amount granted, up to $5.0 Million; and
FURTHER RESOLVED, that if awarded and approved, the broadband service will be offered for
a minimum of five years to meet the application requirement; and
FUTHER RESOLVED that the undersigned is hereby authorized to execute such agreements
as are necessary to implement the project on behalf of the applicant
Statement of Purpose
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE: The purpose of this resolution is to obtain city council’s approval
for the Lincoln Park Open Access Fiber Pilot Project funding. The City is applying for up to $3.2
million for a Border-to-Border Grant with the State of Minnesota. These funds would be used for
the match of 60%. The Lincoln Park Pilot Project is consistent with the goals outlined in the
Imagine Duluth 2035 Comprehensive Plan and the Digital Access Master Plan to ensure that
residents and commercial businesses are provided reliable, affordable, and equitable fiber
conductivity access.