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Receive a presentation from Senator Bill Dodd to acknowledge the award of $3.75 million dollars in state appropriations he secured to benefit Solano County projects, including $2.75 million for radio infrastructure and interoperability improvements and $1 million dollars for continued improvements to the Vallejo Early Leaning Center
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Published Notice Required? Yes _______ No ___X__
Public Hearing Required? Yes _______ No ___X__
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The County Administrator’s Office recommends the Board of Supervisors receive a presentation from Senator Bill Dodd to acknowledge the award of $3.75 million dollars in state appropriations he secured to benefit Solano County projects, including $2.75 million for radio infrastructure and interoperability improvements and $1 million dollars for continued improvements to the Vallejo Early Leaning Center.
SUMMARY / DISCUSSION:
In April 2023, staff from California State Senator Bill Dodd’s office contacted the Solano County Administrator’s Office to inquire if the County would be interested in submitting any shovel-ready projects to compete for state appropriations (earmark) funding for fiscal year 2023/2024. The County put together two project proposals for consideration, including a $3 million dollar request to continue the work to upgrade the County’s radio infrastructure and interoperability capabilities and a $1 million dollar request to renovate a shuttered elementary school in Vallejo to convert it to an Early Learning Center (ELC). In February 2024, the County was notified that Senator Dodd had secured $3.75 million in total project funding, including $2.75 million for radio improvements and $1 million for the Vallejo ELC.
Radio Infrastructure and Interoperability improvements, $2.75 million award:
The completion of the Solano County P25 radio interoperability system upgrade is a critical step towards achieving interoperable communications among emergency service providers from Sacramento to San Francisco. The P25 radio interoperability upgrade will enable dozens of cities and counties to communicate seamlessly, improving the ability of emergency service providers to coordinate and support each other in times of critical need, including throughout Solano County. Some benefits of upgrading the County’s radio communications system includes (1) being able to provide improved communication, reliability and coverage between agencies, (2) ensuring the County is using technology that is compatible with other systems and (3) improving the overall effectiveness, efficiency and reliability of emergency response efforts across Solano County.
Renovations to establish a Vallejo Early Learning Center, $1 million award:
The First 5 Solano Children and Families Commission (First 5 Solano), in partnership with Child start, the Vallejo City Unified School District, and the Solano County Office of Education, is currently renovating a shuttered elementary school in Vallejo to convert it to an Early Learning Center (ELC) with space for 298 early child care and education slots for families. Some of the benefits of establishing an ELC include (1) being able to provide the Vallejo community with a transformational opportunity to significantly revitalize the neighborhood, (2) to provide much needed childcare for working families, including connecting them to local services like food, job and social service programs, and (3) actualizing the economic development and revitalization of a historically under-served and under-resourced neighborhood.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The costs associated with preparing this agenda item are nominal and absorbed by the Department’s FY2023/24 Working Budget. The state appropriations brings much needed revenue into Solano County with no requirement for local matching funds for implementation of these projects and there is no cost to the General Fund. Funds will be appropriated as part of the FY2024/25 Recommended Budget.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Staff consulted with Senator Bill Dodd’s office and Karen Lange at SYASL Partners, Inc., the County’s state lobbying firm regarding the application.