Referred to: The Laws, Rules and Government Services Committee (Chairman Kovacs and Legislators Gavaris, Hansut, Harmon, Kitchen, Levine, and Uchitelle)

Chair of the Legislature, Peter Criswell, and Legislator Nolan offer the following:

WHEREAS, this resolution has been submitted at the request of the County Executive; and

WHEREAS, New York State ConnectALL initiative will be the largest-ever investment in New York’s digital infrastructure with over $1 billion in new public and private investment in rural and urban areas of the State; and

WHEREAS, Ulster County has been diligent in providing data to both the ConnectALL Program and the Federal Energy Communication Commission to ensure full and accurate understanding of the under-served and unserved areas within the County as well as ensuring that critical emergency management locations are eligible to receive adequate broadband service; and

WHEREAS, the ConnectALL Municipal Infrastructure Program (MIP) offers the opportunity for the County support and/or partner with private internet service providers (ISPs) and may include entering into agreements concerning ownership and management of digital infrastructure as part of Phase 3 of the MIP; and

WHEREAS, Margaretville Telephone Company (MTC) has approached the County requesting that it provide the necessary authorizations and certifications to allow for the submittal of application under Phase 3 of the MIP to provide digital infrastructure for the unserved areas in the Town of Denning; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, that Ulster County supports the application by the Margaretville Telephone Company to provide digital infrastructure to the unserved areas in the Town of Denning in the amount necessary to ensure the closure of gaps in service; and, be it further

RESOLVED, that the Chair of the Ulster County Legislature with the exception of any required partnership agreement, is authorized to submit any needed authorizations or certifications as required by the Program application,

and move its adoption.

ADOPTED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:

AYES:                    NOES:      

Passed Committee: Laws, Rules and Government Services on __________.

FINANCIAL IMPACT:

NONE