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Resident urges faster permitting for AVX after $37.5M CPUC broadband grant
Summary
Cindy Cassidy thanked local engineers and AVX Networks for work that helped secure a $37,500,000 CPUC submarine fiber grant and asked council to direct staff to process AVX's pending permits on the same basis as others, explain inconsistent permitting standards, and place a broadband update on the next agenda with AVX present.
Cindy Cassidy, a resident and business owner, informed the council that the California Public Utilities Commission unanimously approved a $37,500,000 grant to bring submarine fiber‑optic cable to Catalina Island and credited local residents Lance Ware and AVX Networks for years of work securing the award. "This represents the largest infrastructure investment in Avalon's history, and it comes at no direct cost to our residents," Cassidy said.
Cassidy urged the council to take three steps: direct staff to process AVX's pending permits on the same basis as other telecom providers, provide a public explanation of any inconsistently applied permitting standards, and place a broadband project update on the next council agenda with AVX present to discuss next steps and timelines. She said AVX has encountered permitting delays and what appears to be shifting requirements that hinder progress on a project that benefits the town’s hospital, schools and businesses. Council acknowledged the comment and staff noted they would follow up.
