TO: Housing Authority Commissioners
FROM: Jennifer Palmer, Executive Director
REPORT BY: Alex Carrasco, Project Manager
SUBJECT: Approval of Agreement with Personal Computing, Inc. (dba Valley Internet) for Calistoga Farmworker Center Wi-Fi Network Installation and Maintenance, and Budget Amendment
RECOMMENDATION
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Approve and authorize the Executive Director to sign Agreement No. 260177B (NCHA) with Personal Computing, Inc. (dba Valley Internet), for the installation, maintenance and management of a new Wi-Fi network for the Calistoga Farmworker Center; and approve a Budget Amendment. (Fiscal Impact $47,463, Housing Authority Fund, Not Budgeted, Discretionary)
[4/5 vote required]
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BACKGROUND
On July 1, 2025, Napa County Information Technology Services (ITS) applied for grant funding from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) on behalf of the Napa County Housing Authority (Authority) to pilot a project to procure, install, maintain, and manage a new Wi-Fi network with high speed internet service for all residents of the Calistoga Farmworker Center. The existing network is limited to a small number of users, leading to a digital divide - the gulf between those who have ready access to computers and the internet, and those who do not. Increasing access improves access and opportunities for education, employment, and essential services. On December 19, 2025, ITS notified Napa County Authority staff that the CPUC approved funding in the amount of $28,977 for the installation of network. The grant is predicated on a commitment by the Authority to maintain and manage the network for five years, not charge residents for broadband internet service, and on not raising rents or charge any costs as a direct result of broadband infrastructure improvements received under the grant for a period of 5 years after project completion, for example.
In conjunction with Board of Supervisors’ consideration to accept the CPUC grant, staff request execution of an agreement with Personal Computing, Inc. (doing business as Valley Internet) to begin installation, maintenance, and management of such network. For fiscal year 2026, Valley Internet shall be compensated for infrastructure installation ($29,113), and general network maintenance ($3,670) for a total of $32,783. For future fiscal years (2027-2030) Valley Internet shall be compensated $3,670 per fiscal year for a total of $14,680 to continue network maintenance. In addition to Valley Internet’s services, the project also requires the Center to bring in a new broadband internet service provider, Comcast, to provide internet services, for a total of $3,000 through the end of the current fiscal year, offset by fund balance.
Requested Action:
1.Approve and Authorize the Executive Director to sign Agreement No. 260177B (NCHA) with Personal Computing, Inc. (dba Valley Internet) in the amount of $47,463; and
2. Approve a Budget Amendment (4/5 vote required):
a. Increasing appropriations in the amount of $29,113 in Fund 5060, Subdivision 5060501 NCHA-Calistoga Center, Account 52505 - Maintenance Building and Improvements to fund project construction and installation, offset by grant funding of $28,977 in Account 48200 - Transfers In, coming in from the Napa County Information Technology Services, and $136 in Account 49900 - Intrafund Transfers In;
b. Increasing appropriations in the amount of $6,670 in Fund 5060 Subdivision 5060501 NCHA-Calistoga Center, Account 52800 - Communications/Telephone to fund broadband internet services, offset by Account 49900 - Intrafund Transfers In; and
c. Increasing appropriations in the amount of $6,806 in Fund 5060 Subdivision 5060000 NCHA Admin, Account 57900 - Intrafund Transfers Out, offset by the use of fund balance.
FISCAL IMPACT
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Is there a Fiscal Impact? |
Yes |
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Is it currently budgeted? |
No |
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Is it Mandatory or Discretionary? |
Discretionary |
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Discretionary Justification: |
The agreement and budget adjustment align with the grant funding. Approval will improve living conditions for all residents at the center and help maintain an adequate pool of skilled workers for the local economy. |
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Is the general fund affected? |
No |
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Future fiscal impact: |
Ongoing broadband internet service for the facility. |
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Consequences if not approved: |
Not eliminating the digital divide. Limited access and opportunities for education, civic engagement, healthcare. |
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION: The proposed action is not a project as defined by 14 California Code of Regulations 15378 (State CEQA Guidelines) and therefore CEQA is not applicable.