Lake County Gazette

Lake County Special Committee on Broadband met Jan. 13 

Here are the minutes provided by the committee: 

1. Call to Order  

Chair Clark called the meeting to order at 8:32 a.m.  

2. Pledge of Allegiance  

Chair Clark led the Pledge of Allegiance.  

3. Roll Call of Members    

Present 6  Member Campos, Vice Chair Casbon, Chair Clark, Member Kyle, Member Roberts and Member Schlick  

Absent 1 - Member Hunter 

*Electronic Attendance: Member Campos 

*Member Hunter was unable to attend the Committee meeting in person and did not meet the criteria for electronic attendance. Even though he was able to attend via electronic means and participated in Committee discussions, he must be marked as absent.  

Other Attendees:  

In Person:  

Abby Krakow, Communications 

Alex Carr, Communications  

Elizabeth Brandon, County Administrator's Office  

Gary Gibson, County Administrator's Office  

Idalys Rios, County Administrator's Office  

Jennifer Brennan, Communications  

Jim Hawkins, County Administrator's Office  

Kevin Quinn, Communications  

Matt Meyers, County Administrator's Office  

Sandy Hart, County Board Chair  

Tammy Chatman, Communications  

Theresa Glatzhofer, County Board Office  

Electronically:  

Brenda O'Connell, Planning, Building and Development  

Cassandra Hiller, County Administrator's Office  

Eric Tellez, Planning, Building and Development  

Eric Waggoner, Planning, Building and Development  

Frank Deuel, Public  

Gavin Good, Chicago Tribune  

Janna Philipp, County Administrator's Office  

Jolanda Dinkins, County Board Office  

Kevin Hunter, Board Member  

Kristy Cechini, County Board Office 

Linda Pedersen, Board Member  

Maria Castellanos, Finance  

Mary Ross Cunningham, County Board Vice Chair  

Matt Coleman, GIS  

Michael Wheeler, Finance  

Mick Zawislak, Daily Herald  

Patrice Sutton, Finance  

Paul Frank, Board Member  

RuthAnne Hall, Purchasing 

Stephen Rice, State's Attorney's Office  

Susan August, Purchasing  

4. Addenda to the Agenda  

There were no additions or amendments to the agenda.  

5. Public Comment (Items not on the agenda)  

There were no comments from the public.  

6. Chair's Remarks  

Chair Clark welcomed everyone to the first Special Committee on Broadband meeting and stated the importance of the topic of broadband. Chair Clark also noted that the mission of the Committee is to develop a vision and plan for high speed internet access for the residents of Lake County.  

7. Unfinished Business  

There was no unfinished business to discuss.  

8. New Business  

REGULAR AGENDA  

8.1 23-0138  

Presentation regarding broadband programs and funding opportunities. 

Attachments: Broadband Programs-Funding 011323 

Matt Meyers, Assistant County Administrator, introduced Elizabeth Brandon, FOIA Coordinator. Ms. Brandon gave a presentation regarding the value of broadband internet. Ms. Brandon identified the unserved and underserved broadband internet areas within Lake County. Ms. Brandon also outlined the funding opportunities available for expanding accessibility to broadband internet in Lake County.  

Discussion ensued.  

8.2 23-0139 

Committee discussion and possible action on next steps for connectivity in Lake County. 

Matt Meyers, Assistant County Administrator, requested discussion and consensus from the Committee regarding the next steps for broadband internet connectivity improvements in Lake County. Assistant County Administrator Meyers noted that it is an option to utilize American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to put out a request for proposal (RFP) for a broadband consultant to do a broadband analysis and provide recommendations for goals and plans for implementation for the County.  

Discussion ensued.  

A motion was made by Vice Chair Casbon, seconded by Member Kyle, to provide direction to staff to proceed with a request for proposal (RFP) and determine an appropriate funding source for a broadband analysis consultant for the County. The motion carried by the following voice vote:    

Aye: 6 -Member Campos, Vice Chair Casbon, Chair Clark, Member Kyle, Member Roberts and Member Schlick  

Absent: 1 - Member Hunter 

9. County Administrator's Report  

Matt Meyers, Assistant County Administrator, thanked Elizabeth Brandon, FOIA Coordinator, for her hard work collecting and presenting broadband information for the Committee.  

10. Executive Session  

The Committee did not enter into Executive Session.  

11. Members' Remarks  

Vice Chair Casbon explained the inequities she has noticed in local broadband accessibility which sparked her interest in the subject. Vice Chair Casbon also thanked Chair Hart, for creating this Special Committee, and staff, for their hard work and support of this initiative.  

Member Roberts thanked Vice Chair Casbon for her advocacy and leadership. 

Gary Gibson, County Administrator, thanked Matt Meyers, Assistant County Administrator, and Elizabeth Brandon, FOIA Coordinator, for their hard work. County Administrator Gibson also wished Abby Krakow, Associate Communications Specialist, a happy birthday.  

Chair Clark noted that future Special Committee on Broadband meetings will occur once a month on Fridays at 8:30 a.m.  

12. Adjournment  

Chair Clark declared the meeting adjourned at 9:44 a.m.  

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