DIGITAL EQUITY ACTION PLAN
Binding City Policy
BCP-UTL-6.02
PURPOSE
WHEREAS, in today’s society, high-speed, accessible and affordable internet is essential infrastructure for job creation, education, health care, the enhancement of safe and connected communities, civic engagement, government transparency and responsiveness, reduced carbon emissions, and emergency preparedness; and
WHEREAS, access to the internet has become an essential component of full participation in society; and
WHEREAS, there are residents in the City of Portland and Multnomah County that do not have internet access or devices or skills to use the internet; and
WHEREAS, established City policies, such as the Broadband Strategic Plan and the Portland Plan, contemplate digital equity initiatives to address the digital divide; and
WHEREAS, a strategic approach to achieving digital equity will benefit the City's digital equity goals; and
WHEREAS, the Office for Community Technology, (part of the Revenue Division, Bureau of Revenue and Financial Services) along with Multnomah County Library, facilitated a community-driven process for evaluating digital equity strategies, involving over 100 people and 30 organizations; and
WHEREAS, an action plan for accomplishing the City’s digital equity objectives can provide a road map to target efforts and investments made throughout the City, both on behalf of City bureaus and with the City’s County, State, Federal, community-based and private sector partners; and
WHEREAS, the Office for Community Technology has a well-established history of facilitating and coordinating policy and regulatory leadership on the Council’s behalf in the area of broadband and digital equity; and
WHEREAS, the City vision for digital equity includes providing every resident with the opportunity to be fully engaged in digital society accessing and using digital and communications technology;
POLICY
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that to address the digital divide and achieve aspects of the City’s equity goals, the Portland City Council adopts the Digital Equity Action Plan attached as Exhibit A; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Office for Community Technology is authorized and directed to engage with other City of Portland bureaus and offices, as well as with County offices, schools, the business community, internet service providers and community organizations in developing a work plan to implement DEAP; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Office for Community Technology will make annual reports to the City Council on progress achieved and barriers encountered regarding closing the digital divide and accomplishments toward digital equity; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, this resolution is binding City policy.
Link to Exhibit A - Digital Equity Action Plan (PDF Document, 4.2 MB)
HISTORY
Resolution No. 37199, adopted by City Council April 6, 2016.