Resolution Number 28-18

RESOLUTION NUMBER 28-18

IRON RANGE BROADBAND

WHEREAS, broadband is an essential service necessary to attract and retain residents and businesses, engage in commerce, obtain equal access to health care and education, and support a modern quality of life; and,

WHEREAS, our Iron Range communities and particularly our Iron Range rural countryside, include areas that are considered by to be unserved and underserved when using the standards set in Minnesota state statutes; and,

WHEREAS, the future of the Iron Range is dependent upon a quality Pre-K through 12 education system and educational delivery services are dependent upon high speed, quality broadband; and,

WHEREAS, any opportunity for economic diversity requires access to gigabit broadband services to afford the Iron Range a competitive chance at attracting new businesses; and,

WHEREAS, community volunteers in a number of Iron Range communities have completed the hard work to engage citizens via surveys and meetings and to work with broadband planning consultants to gather data and create broadband deployment plans; and,

WHEREAS, various state and national funding sources are expected to become available; and,

WHEREAS, various grant and loan funds require the commitment of a local match to be provided for competitive and successful applications; and,

WHEREAS, funding broadband projects across the Iron Range will require a collaborative effort of townships, cities, St. Louis County and willing telecommunications providers; and,

WHEREAS, townships and small cities do not have the staff or expertise to assist with grant applications, joint powers agreements or public/private provider agreements.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MOUNTAIN IRON, MINNESOTA AS FOLLOWS:

1. Supports all efforts to spur the deployment of broadband networks and services that will immediately meet the 2026 state broadband goal of 100 Mb/20 Mb;
2. Will support using local financial resources as part of a broadband deployment plan in conjunction with other funding sources;
3. Requests that St. Louis County take the lead in developing and finalizing a regional, multi-community approach to spurring broadband deployment, including organizational development, legal requirements and financial planning, direct staff support to our small cities and townships and active participation in potential grant funding applications.

DULY ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL THIS 5^th DAY OF NOVEMBER, 2018.

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Mayor Gary Skalko

ATTEST:

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City Administrator