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TECHNICAL PANEL

Proposed Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, October 12, 1999, 9:30 a.m.
University of Nebraska-Varner Hall, 3835 Holdrege, Board Room
Lincoln, Nebraska

MEMBERS PRESENT: Brenda Decker,Department of Administrative Services, State of Nebraska; Peter Ford, Nebraska Educational Telecommunications; Walter Weir, University of Nebraska, Computing Services Network; Michael Winkle, NITC Executive Director; and, Steve Schafer, State Chief Information Officer.

OTHERS PRESENT: Rick Becker, Government Information Technology Manager; Tom Rolfes, Education Information Technology Manager; Lori Lopez Urdiales, NITC/CIO Administrative Assistant, Ruth Michalecki, UNL Telecommunications, Rick Golden, UNL Computing Services Network, Jim Ohmberger, IMS, State of Nebraska

CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL: Walter Weir, Chair, participated in the meeting via telephone until his arrival. Steve Schafer was asked to conduct the meeting. The meeting was called to order by Mr. Schafer at 9:37 a.m. Roll call was taken. Four members were present. Ms. Decker had a prior commitment and will be arriving late. Mr. Schafer announced that public notice was given by electronic means by posting the meeting date, time, location and agenda via the website on October 5th with a revision posted on October 7th.

PUBLIC COMMENT: There were none.

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: Under "Elect Chair and Designate Alternate Members", Mr. Winkle wanted to change "Mike Carpenter" to read "several names were submitted for consideration". Mr. Winkle moved to approve the September 14th minutes as changed. Mr. Ford seconded the motion. Group vote: All were in favor. Motion carried.

Agenda item "Project Reviews" was tabled until the arrival of Ms. Decker.

DESIGNATE ALTERNATE MEMBERS: The following recommendations for alternates have been confirmed: Ruth Michalecki, Director of the UNL Telecommunication Center, for Walter Weir and Mike Beach, Chief Engineer, Network Operations, University Television, for Peter Ford.

Mr. Schafer will ask Ms. Decker to confirm Tom Conroy's interest in serving. Mr. Schafer will contact with Greg Lemon, for his alternate. Mr. Winkle is contacting Hod Kosman, NITC Commissioner, regarding western Nebraska representation on the Technical Panel. Alternates are encouraged to attend the meetings for input and information purposes. The final slate of alternates will be presented at the NITC November 10th meeting.

STATEWIDE TECHNOLOGY PLAN: Part 4.D Project Proposal Forms, Mr. Schafer reported that the informal oversight committee recommended including an Executive Summary in this section. Staff will have it ready for review at the next meeting. Mr. Schafer asked for further feedback. There were no comments.

Part 4.E. Assessment Document for Project Proposal Forms - There were no comments.

Part 3.B. Definition and components of technical Infrastructure - The TINA study will not be providing the inventory and defining the components of the infrastructure as originally indicated. Mr. Winkle informed the group that the Technical Panel will need to take the initiative for this effort. Mr. Weir suggested that members carefully review the North Carolina and Utah models to draw input. Mr. Weir volunteered to gather and compile this information from members. Members are to get feedback to Mr. Weir by this Friday, October 15th. Mr. Weir will get the information back out to members by October 19th. Staff will review and make recommendations at their staff meeting, October 22nd. It was recommended that the infrastructure principles be included in Part 5 of the statewide plan.

Part 3.D. Recommended Standards and Guidelines - At last month's meeting it was suggested to have a couple of entities walk through the process. Mr. Schafer reported that timing was a problem for the GIS Steering Committee to go through the standards process. The Technical Panel may need to think of other groups that they may want to contact. Ms. Decker was not available to report on DOC's proposed standards for building wiring. Ms. Michalecki volunteered to report at the next meeting on building wiring standards.

Walter Weir arrived at the meeting at 10:45 a.m.

PROJECT REVIEWS - NET Deficit Project Requests:

NEB*SAT Statewide Interconnection Project (Phase 1) - Funding for 1/3 of the bandwidth (45 Mbs) of the existing OC-3 ATM circuit between Lincoln and Norfolk and Lincoln and North Platte. This circuit is currently utilized by the State through Division of Communications and by the University of Nebraska. NET's share would establish distance learning connections between the K-12 schools and their DLS consortia, community colleges, state and private colleges and the University.

Brenda Decker arrived at the meeting at 11:05 a.m.

Mr. Ford and Ms. Decker were available to provide further information on this project. Members discussed the state's future bandwidth needs; the Skjei report recommendations; ability to support multiple environments; and, the avoidance of a single private network.

It was recommended that current fiscal year costs be accurately reflected on budget information. Ms. Decker reported that the State of Nebraska is already saving $48,000 a month with this system.

Mr. Schafer moved that the Technical Panel provide the following analysis to the NITC:

The Technical Panel's analysis reveals that the NEB*SAT Statewide Interconnection Project (Phase 1) should be forwarded for funding consideration based on the following:

  • The project is consistent with the State's information technology direction.
  • There is an identified need evidenced by unfulfilled program requests.
  • There are no implementation barriers.
  • There are no technical barriers.
  • The project has demonstrated a cost savings through collaboration and aggregated demand.

The motion was seconded by Ms. Decker. Roll call vote: Decker-Yes, Ford-Abstained, Weir-Yes, Winkle-Abstained, Schafer-Yes. Motion carried.

NEB*SAT Network 3 System Upgrade Project - For the continued funding of system replacement and upgrading of uplink transmitters and receivers, digital satellite modems, digital codecs and associated interconnection hardware and software. The listed equipment replaces equipment throughout the state that is no longer manufactured, has Year 2000 issues, has equipment interface problems, and/or is no longer supported. The NEB*SAT Network 3 satellite systems provides the backbone for two-way interconnection and distribution of distance education programming for K-12 schools, community colleges, state colleges and the University of Nebraska.

Mr. Schafer moved that the Technical Panel provide the following analysis to the NITC:

The Technical Panel's analysis reveals that the NEB*SAT Network 3 System Upgrade Project should be forwarded for funding consideration based on the following:

The Project:

  • is an on-going operational upgrade for NEB*SAT;
  • is consistent with both the current satellite delivery of services, as well as a terrestrial option;
  • is justified to meet maintenance and support requirements;
  • has no implementation risks; and
  • promises a positive technical impact by improving services without adversely affecting other systems.

The motion was seconded by Mr. Weir. Roll call vote: Decker-Yes, Ford-Abstained, Weir-Yes, Winkle-Abstained, Schafer-Yes. Motion carried.

OTHER BUSINESS: Ms. Decker provided an update on the TINA Study. Sixty interviews have been conducted. Surveys have been sent out to 550 participants. More cable companies will be receiving the survey this week. Preliminary results should be available in late November.

NEXT MEETING DATE: The next meeting will be held November 9, 1999, 9 a.m. Mr. Weir will check into Varner Hall for the next meeting location. Mr. Schafer adjourned the meeting at 12:30 p.m.

Minutes taken by Lori Lopez Urdiales, CIO/NITC Administrative Assistant and reviewed by Rick Becker, Government I.T. Manager.

Meeting Minutes

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