Information

Type: Deliberation

Department: BUD - Budget

Directors' Update: TBD

Business Meeting: Jan. 23, 2024

Summary:

APPROVE AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN LEWIS COUNTY AND NORTHWEST OPEN ACCESS NETWORK (“NOANET”) REGARDING TECHNICAL OVERSIGHT FOR THE BROADBAND PROJECT IN THE WINLOCK AREA

Publications:

Cover Letter To:

Additional Copies To: Grace Jimenez

Resolution

WHEREAS, RCW 39.34.080 authorizes public agencies to perform governmental services, activities or undertakings that each public agency entering into the contract is authorized by law to perform, provided such contract shall be authorized by the governing body of each party to the contract; and

WHEREAS, the Washington lnterlocal Cooperation Act, RCW 39.34, permits public agencies to cooperate with one another on the basis of mutual advantage to make the most efficient use of their powers, thereby providing services and facilities in a manner that accords best with geographic, economic, population, and other factors influencing the needs and development of local communities. Under the Act, public agencies may enter into agreements with one another for joint or cooperative action; and

WHEREAS, the County is a party to that certain Amended Contingent Telecommunications Agreement originally dated November 29, 2021, with ToledoTel to install, supply, and maintain broadband access service; and

WHEREAS, Northwest Open Access Network ("NOANET") and Lewis County are public agencies as defined in RCW 39.34.020(1), and they recognize the need to provide for the project to improve the communications of the parties and to provide for improved access to broadband data transmission and enhance community economic development in Lewis County; and

WHEREAS, the County wishes to obtain services from NOANET for monitoring contractor/subcontractor progress and compliance with the technical requirements of the project according to the Washington State Broadband Office Infrastructure Acceleration Grant guidelines; and

WHEREAS, it appears to be in the best public interest to authorize the execution of the Interlocal Agreement.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED the Lewis County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) hereby (1) approves an interlocal agreement between Lewis County and Northwest Open Access Network (“NOANET”) regarding technical oversight for the broadband project in the Winlock area in accordance with the attached agreement and scope of work, and (2) authorizes the County Manager to sign on behalf of Lewis County.

DONE IN OPEN SESSION this 23rd day of January, 2024.