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Crawford County Board of Supervisors Special Session - July 1, 2021

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The Crawford County Board of Supervisors met in special session at the Crawford County Administration Building in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin on July 1, 2021

The Board was called to order by Chairman Tom Cornford.  Roll was called with all members present, except Supervisors Wayne Jerrett and Carl Orr.  

The Chairman led the Board in the Pledge of Allegiance.  The meeting was verified as being properly posted.  

Chairman Cornford informed everyone that there is a sign-up sheet for anyone who would like to work or volunteer at the Crawford County Fair.  

Supervisor Mary Kuhn thanked the Personnel Committee for approving that a policy be put into place allowing county employees to help work at the fair.   Kuhn expressed the need for extra people to help every year.

Motion by Munson, second by Kuhn to approve the minutes of the previous meeting.  Motion carried unanimously.

Dale Klemme, Community Development, addressed the committee regarding the need for a Public/Private Partnership Agreement between Crawford County and Vernon Communications Cooperative.  Essentially, this agreement is a requirement by the PSC in order for Vernon Communications to file for a grant to help fund the expansion of broadband services in Crawford County, specifically the County’s Rural Crawford County Project.

RESOLUTION NO. 14-2021

RESOLUTION TO ENTER INTO A PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT WITH VERNON COMMUNICATIONS COOPERATIVE FOR BROADBAND EXPANSION IN CRAWFORD COUNTY-RURAL CRAWFORD COUNTY PROJECT

WHEREAS, the County of Crawford, a political subdivision of the State of Wisconsin, seeks to help provide access to resources and the support structure necessary for economic development within its boundaries; and

WHEREAS, Vernon Communications Cooperative, a Wisconsin corporation (“Vernon”), proposes to expand broadband capability to reach the un-served or underserved residences and businesses in Crawford County where such service is currently unavailable or is prohibitively expensive; and

WHEREAS, it is currently expected that the proposed broadband expansion would be constructed in areas within Crawford County, Wisconsin and the enhanced broadband access and availability will be utilized to position Crawford County for desirable economic growth by addressing existing service disparities; and

WHEREAS, Vernon is applying for an American Rescue Plan Act Broadband Expansion Grant, through the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin, to expand access to broadband services in Crawford County, specifically the County’s Rural Crawford County Project; and

WHEREAS, to further support its application for a Broadband Expansion Grant, the Crawford County Board of Supervisors enter into an Agreement with Vernon, referred to as a Public Private Partnership Agreement, to assist in this Project by:

- providing $350,000 in cash for aid to construction for fiber-optic facilities to and throughout the project area.   The County also agrees to provide, in-kind assistance to the Project which may be in the form of waived fees and expenses for obtaining permits or permissions required from Crawford County government;

- providing Vernon access to funds during the Project’s construction phase, on a short term basis with no finance fees or interest, to pay for the construction portion of the project in an amount not to exceed the amount eligible for reimbursement by the Broadband Expansion Grant.  Vernon will reimburse the County for these funds immediately upon reimbursement by the Broadband Expansion Grant.

- granting permission on and across County property to engage in activities to construct the Project in compliance with all existing rules and regulations;

- providing community education and outreach regarding the expansion of broadband access to residences and businesses within the scope of the Project; and recognizing that the Broadband Expansion Project is a priority and is consistent with internal planning documents adopted by Crawford County government.

WHEREAS, the Committee recommends entering into a Public Private Partnership Agreement with Crawford Communications Cooperative in support of this Broadband Expansion Project (copy of proposed Agreement is on file in the County Clerk’s Office).

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Crawford County Board of Supervisors to enter into a Public Private Partnership Agreement with Vernon Communications Cooperative to expand broadband access and services to un-served and underserved areas of Crawford County.

FINANCE COMMITTEE:

Gary Koch, Chairman Greg Russell

Gerald Krachey Wayne Jerrett

Geri Kozelka

FISCAL NOTE: Fiscal impact on the County’s budget is undetermined at this time.

Adopted by the County Board of Crawford County

this 1st day of July, 2021

Roberta A. Fisher, County Clerk

Motion by Krachey, second by Munson to approve the Resolution to Enter into a Public Private Partnership Agreement with Vernon Communications Cooperative for Broadband Expansion in Crawford County-Rural Crawford County Project.  Motion carried unanimously upon call of the roll.

There being no further business to come before the Board, there was a motion by Flansburgh, second by Koch to adjourn.  Motion carried unanimously and the meeting was adjourned.  

STATE OF WISCONSIN

(ss)

COUNTY OF CRAWFORD

I, Roberta A. Fisher, Clerk of County of Crawford, State of Wisconsin, do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of the Journal of Proceedings of the Crawford County Board of Supervisors at the Special Session on July 1, 2021.

Roberta A. Fisher, Crawford County Clerk

 

 

        

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