REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: AARON A. AGUIRRE, Director
Parks, After School, Recreation and Community Services Department
SHELBY MACNAB, MPA, Assistant Director
Parks, After School, Recreation and Community Services Department
BY: CHANELL JOHNSON, MPA, Senior Management Analyst
Parks, After School, Recreation and Community Services Department
SUBJECT
Title
***RESOLUTION - Authorizing the City Manager or Designee to Apply for and Accept a Grant of up to $200,000 from the California Public Utilities Commission to Fund Digital Literacy Education and Digital Access (Citywide) (Subject to Mayor’s Veto)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommend that the City Council adopt the resolution authorizing the application for and acceptance of up to $200,000 from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) California Advance Services Fund (CASF) Broadband Adoption Account to fund Digital Literacy Education and Digital Access.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Staff are requesting authorization to submit a grant proposal to the CPUC and to accept the funding if awarded. Funding will be used to provide Digital Literacy Education and Digital Access through digital literacy classes and earned take-home devices for eligible community members at community centers in high-need areas throughout Fresno.
BACKGROUND
Funding for the CASF Broadband Adoption Account comes from State Assembly Bill (AB) 1665, signed into law by Governor Brown in 2017. AB 1665 authorizes around $20 million in funding annually for the provision of grants for Digital Literacy and Broadband Access in communities with demonstrated low broadband access. The PARCS Department was previously awarded a 24-month CASF grant in 2024 and used the grant to establish the “Tech Easy Program” within the PARCS Department. The first cycle grant will end in December 2026. To date, PARCS has provided digital literacy education to 126 participants who completed eight (8) hours of instruction, and distributed 107 take home devices to eligible graduates of the program.
PARCS is now eligible to apply for another 24-month grant cycle to continue the Tech Easy Program starting in early 2027. This grant cycle will introduce expanded curriculum so participants can further develop their skills. Digital literacy programming will take place over an approximately 24-month period at several PARCS community centers throughout the City of Fresno. Proposed sites are located in neighborhoods with demonstrated low rates of access to broadband internet at home and were chosen based on the presence of current weekly programming for seniors and adaptive recreation participants. Anticipated service locations include the Link, Pinedale, Ted C. Wills, Mosqueda, Inspiration, Mary Ella Brown, and Lafayette. Digital literacy classes may serve the following populations: seniors, individuals with disabilities, and/or youth and young adults seeking employment development skills. The grant application is due July 1, 2026.
During the project period, PARCS will provide eight (8) hours of digital literacy education to around 260 Fresno residents and distribute approximately 100 take-home devices to eligible low-income residents who complete all eight (8) hours of digital literacy education as required by the grant.
This resolution has been reviewed by the City Attorney’s Office.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
Pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15378, this action is not subject to CEQA at this time.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference is not applicable as this resolution does not include a bid, or an award of a construction or services contract.
FISCAL IMPACT
This resolution will have no immediate impact on the General Fund. If the grant is awarded, PARCS will be responsible for a 15% project match (up to $30,000), which PARCS will provide in-kind in the form of existing salaries, facility costs, and/or services. If awarded, the funding will be amended into the fiscal year 2027 PARCS Department budget.
Attachment:
Resolution