CITY OF SEATTLE
RESOLUTION __________________
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A RESOLUTION relating to the Technology Matching Fund program; requesting the Chief Technology Officer to set the program’s guidelines, goals, project eligibility and selection criteria, and maximum grant awards, and to execute contracts and encumber funds in support of the program; approving the membership requirements of a review committee to recommend project selection under the program; and requesting the Chief Technology Officer to approve projects under the program after receiving recommendations from the review committee.
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WHEREAS, The City of Seattle (“City”) has determined that it is important to enable digital equity, foster broadband adoption, and provide digital opportunities for all Seattle residents, including sufficient access to electronic information, technology literacy, and the application of technology for civic engagement; and
WHEREAS, Resolution 29673 established a Technology Matching Fund program for such purposes; and
WHEREAS, the City’s Technology Matching Fund program makes grants to eligible organizations that promote the City’s digital equity goals in order to level the playing field for technology underserved populations; and
WHEREAS, the City’s Technology Matching fund investments have made a significant impact on furthering digital equity in Seattle, with more than 340 community organizations having received over $5.4 million in funding and generating an additional $9 million in community-matched funds; and
WHEREAS, the City supports consistent and proven grant program structures and methodologies; and
WHEREAS, the City recognizes the importance of timely delivery of grant awards to community organizations; and
WHEREAS the City encourages collaboration with private-sector and non-profit philanthropic entities to increase funding and other resources to augment investment in our community-based digital equity programs; and
WHEREAS, the City believes that the Technology Matching Fund program should be managed to deliver awards quickly so as not to delay the substantial benefits the City receives from the projects supported by this program; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEATTLE, THE MAYOR CONCURRING, THAT:
Section 1. The Chief Technology Officer (“CTO”) is requested to review the set guidelines, goals, project eligibility, selection criteria, and the process for executing grants and encumbering funds for the Technology Matching Fund program and to revise the same as necessary to ensure that projects align with City priorities and are consistent with other City contracting and financial accountability rules and regulations.
Section 2. The CTO is requested to include at least the following areas in the criteria used to evaluate projects in support of the Technology Matching Fund: whether a project meets program goals, the budget of the project, the clarity of the projects, the extent to which the project encourages community participation, the magnitude of the community benefits accrued from the project, and the extent to which there is an evaluation component to the project. These criteria and selection processes are applicable to any project grant under $50,000 on a per-applicant basis.
Section 3. The CTO is requested to establish a review committee to make recommendations for funding projects under the Technology Matching Fund. Membership is requested to include members of the Community Technology Advisory Board and may include others in order to ensure a diverse panel. The CTO will additionally report to the City Council on all approved projects.
Section 4. The CTO is requested to provide the report on all approved projects by March 31, 2020.
Adopted by the City Council the ________ day of _________________________, 2019, and signed by me in open session in authentication of its passage this _____ day of _________________________, 2019.
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President ____________ of the City Council
The Mayor concurred the ________ day of _________________________, 2019.
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Jenny A. Durkan, Mayor
Filed by me this ________ day of _________________________, 2019.
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Monica Martinez Simmons, City Clerk
(Seal)