LAFCO hears updates on undergrounding and municipal broadband study; public urges Chattanooga-style model

Jason Fried, LAFCO’s executive officer, reported that the study of undergrounding wires and expanding fiber networks is in final review and that a draft report is expected in March, with a fuller draft for LAFCO review by April. Fried said staffing constraints slowed progress after an intern who assisted with research left for a job; he said the office would continue work and return with a draft report for commission review.

Public commenters urged stronger, faster action on municipal broadband planning. Eric Brooks of the San Francisco Green Party and Our City SF urged the commission to examine municipal models, citing Chattanooga, Tennessee, as an example that achieved citywide gigabit service at low retail prices and stimulated local economic growth. "If we are going to build a citywide public broadband network that's open to all income levels, we need to start now," Brooks said. Speakers also argued that Clean Power SF should enable substantially larger behind-the-meter programs and that the Department of the Environment should be brought into planning and build-out discussions early.

Commissioners asked staff to look at other municipal models and agreed to request that City departmental staff (for example, the Department of the Environment) appear at a future LAFCO meeting to discuss how behind-the-meter efficiencies and solar could be integrated into program design and outreach. Fried said he would attempt to secure the requested department presence for the next meeting.