NEBRASKA INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY COMMISSION

February 24, 1999
Governor's Mansion
1425 H Street
Lincoln, Nebraska
Approved Meeting Minutes

Members Present
Lt. Governor Dave Maurstad, Chair	Doug Christensen, Commissioner, State Department of Education
Greg Adams, Mayor, City of York	L. Dennis Smith, President, University of Nebraska
Eric Brown, General Manager, Station KRVN	Hod Kosman, Chair & President, Platte Valley Financial Services
L. Merill Bryan, Chief Information Officer, Union Pacific
Members Absent
U.S. Senator Robert Kerrey	Gary Kuck, President & CEO of Centurion International, Lincoln

CALL TO ORDER AND APPROVAL OF NOVEMBER MINUTES:

Lt. Governor Maurstad called the meeting to order at 1:45 p.m. Roll call was taken. A quorum existed with seven Commissioners present. Commissioner Kosman moved and it was seconded by Commissioner Brown to approve the November minutes. Vote: Adams-Yes, Brown-Yes, Bryan-Yes, Christensen-Yes, Kosman-Yes, Maurstad-Not Voting, and Smith-Yes. Motion to approve the minutes as presented was carried.

Lt. Governor Maurstad and each of the Commissioners gave opening remarks about their role and interest in the commission as well as their vision for the NITC.

COMMUNITY COUNCIL REPORT - Donna Hammack, Co-Chair & Tom Rolfes, Education Information Technology Manager:

Donna Hammack reported that the Community Council had two meetings (November and January). The November meeting focused on council leadership transition and sector representation. Ms. Hammack and Lance Hedquist were nominated as co-chairs. The council has been working on developing a charter and selecting council member alternates. The council is interested in increasing its knowledge base and awareness of information technology and invited Roger Hahn, Nebraska Information Network and Jenne Rodriguez, Department of Economic Development as guest speakers to the January meeting.

A Telehealth subcommittee of the Community Council has been meeting regularly. The subcommittee consists of approximately 15-20 individuals representing several communities and telehealth interests. Ms. Hammack is speaking with individuals from western Nebraska to participate in the subcommittee. Ms. Hammack suggested that focused subcommittees may be a good process in providing more input from the sectors within the Community Council.

Input/Questions from Commissioners: Commissioner Smith suggested that the council contact Walter Wier at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln about the telemedicine services being provided to Egypt.

Community Technology Collaboration Fund Recommendations - Tom Rolfes:

An overview of the technical review and selection process was given by Mr. Rolfes. The technical review panel consisted of two CIO/NITC staff; Brenda Decker, Division of Communications; Larry Williams, Department of Economic Development; Peter Ford, NET; and Walter Weir, University of Nebraska. There is a balance of $19,740 in the Community Technology Collaboration Fund. It was the review committee's recommendation to fund the two proposals listed below totaling $11,990 and to carryover the balance of $7,750 for next funding cycle.

1. Nebraska Electronic Main Street, Center for Rural Community Revitalization and Development, UNL - $9,990
2. Northeast Regional Information Clearinghouse (NRICHN), City of Wayne - $2,000

Commissioner Smith moved and it was seconded by Commissioner Christensen to accept the technical review committee's recommendations for the Community Technology Collaboration Fund proposals. Vote: Adams-Yes, Brown-Yes, Bryan-Yes, Christensen-Yes, Kosman-Yes, Maurstad-Yes, and Smith-Yes. Motion carried.

Commissioner Kosman asked how communities would be selected to participate in the Nebraska Electronic Main Street project. Discussion followed. Commissioner Kosman moved and it was seconded by Commissioner Brown to amend the prior motion that the Nebraska Electronic Main Street project solicit communities from across the state through a competitive proposal process and to grant awards based on the selection criteria. Vote: Adams-Yes, Brown-Yes, Bryan-Yes, Christensen-Yes, Kosman-Yes, Maurstad-Yes, and Smith-No. Motion carried.

A directive was given to staff to work with the project to make sure that all communities are informed. Commissioners suggested working with the League of Municipalities, and to work through the Community Council to coordinate press releases to local newspapers. It was also suggested to request that applicants provide an implementation plan for future grant cycles.

EDUCATION COUNCIL REPORT - Dr. Jack Huck, Co-chair and Tom Rolfes:

Dr. Huck provided a brief history of the Education Council for new Commissioners. The Education Council has selected their representatives to the Telecommunications Aggregation Joint Subcommittee. The Council has developed a draft charter and will continue to work on the draft as plans for the NEB*SAT transition are more finalized. A NEB*SAT/NITC Transition subcommittee was formed which consisted of representatives from the Education Council and NEB*SAT Coordinating Council. The committee has met several times and submitted a resolution to the Education Council for review at the February meeting. A copy of this was included in the Commissioners' meeting materials. This will be discussed further at the March 19th meeting of the Education Council.

Comments/Questions from Commissioners: Commissioner Smith raised a question about a membership change of the Education Council and the addition of the ex-officio members as voting members. Dr. Huck commented that staff informed the council that it had autonomy to recommend this decision. Dr. Huck asked for guidance and suggestions from the NITC as to how to proceed. Discussion followed pertaining to the representation of the education council and decisions made by the Commissioners regarding its membership. By statute, the composition of the councils is determined by the NITC. The Education Council was given the directive to retain the original intent of the NITC of 16 voting and 2 ex-officio members.

GOVERNMENT COUNCIL REPORT - Steve Schafer:

Mr. Schafer gave a brief history about the Information Resources Cabinet (Government Council). The last meeting of the council was in December. At the last meeting, the council took action to form two subcommittees - Telecommunications Aggregation Joint Subcommittee and the Charter subcommittee.

Commissioners were provided information regarding upcoming legislative bills dealing with technology. Mr. Schafer was asked if there was any legislation that was of particular interest to the NITC. LB446 Wireless Communication could have major impact on the statewide infrastructure and technology plan. By group consensus, Commissioners recommended that the Lt. Governor Maurstad work with Senator Tyson to involve the NITC in this legislation.

Comments/Questions from Commissioners: Lt. Governor Maurstad asked if the name Information Resources Cabinet was in statute should the NITC want it changed to the Government Council. The name is not in statute but is in an Executive Order.

STAFF REPORT - Michael Winkle and Steve Schafer:

State Infrastructure Planning Process: Commissioners were provided a draft copy of the "Policies and Procedures for Preparing the Statewide Infrastructure Plan". Mr. Schafer gave an overview of the sections within the document and pointed out to the Commissioners that the NITC will be responsible for Part I "Strategic Goals" and value criteria. Commissioner Smith suggested contacting the National Science Foundation to research their process for developing a national infrastructure plan. Another suggestion from Commissioner Smith was to use a "peer review" process that would provide different perspectives. Either one might serve as a model.

Staff called attention to the proposed timelines for completion and asked for the Commission's endorsement. By group consensus, Commissioners' endorsed the timelines and content of the working document. Staff will continue to work on a more detailed plan for adoption by the NITC.

Comments/Questions from Commissioners. Lt. Governor Maurstad asked if the other entities such as NIDGAC, GIS, etc. should be under the umbrella of the NITC. Currently, some of these entities are in statute and any change would require legislative action. This could be a consideration in the future. Action item for future meeting. Study and make recommendations.

A directive was given to staff to conduct research on what other states are doing and to make recommendations to the NITC. Feedback from Commissioners will be provided via electronic means to staff. Commissioners felt that there will be a need for a special meeting to work on the goals, preferably within 45 days from today's date.

Charters - Steve Schafer: Mr. Schaferinformed the Commissioners that these documents will continue to be worked on the councils and would be part of the "Policies and Procedures for Preparing the Statewide Infrastructure". The draft charters were provided to the Commissioners for their review.

Prior Commission Items - Mr. Winkle:

Right of Way will be address by the Transportation Committee in a future hearing. The Telecommunications Aggregation Joint Subcommittee will have the first meeting within the next 30 days. The Chief Information Officer position has been advertised with a March 8th deadline for applications. Lori McClurg, Director of Administrative Services, Search Committee Chair, asked if any of the Commissioners would like to volunteer to serve on the interview committee. Lt. Governor Maurstad asked the Commissioners to give this some consideration and asked them to contact him if anyone was interested. A calendar of events was also provided to the Commissioners. Lt. Governor Maurstad asked that Skjei Telecomm provide a presentation and report at the next meeting.

NEW BUSINESS:

Community Information Technology Manager Position - Mr. Winkle: At the June NITC meeting, the Commissioners approved the biennium budget which included moving the Community Information Technology Manager from the Division of Communications budget to the Office of the Chief Information Officer budget. This position was not funded from the Governor's budget because it was listed as a new position. In discussions with Department of Administrative Services, Budget Office and the Lt. Governor, the recommendation was made to shift $50,000 from the Community Technology Collaboration Fund to the Personal Service Limitation line to fund this position. This would not increase the general fund but would shift dollars from one category to another.

Mr. Winkle polled the Community Council members for feedback. Although, they would prefer to have the position and the CTCF fully funded, the majority felt that having the support of a full-time staff member was a higher priority for the council to continue its work. If the NITC approves this recommendation, it will need to go to the Appropriations Committee for approval. Discussion followed. Commissioner Kosman moved and it was seconded by Commissioner Smith to reallocate $50,000 from the Community Technology Collaboration Fund towards funding the Community Information Technology Manager position. Vote: Adams-Yes, Brown-Yes, Bryan-Yes, Christensen-Yes, Kosman-Yes, Maurstad-Yes, and Smith-Yes. Motion carried. Staff will continue with the next step in this process.

NEXT MEETING DATE:

Staff will check on Commissioner's availability for a mid-June meeting. Lt. Governor Maurstad thanked the Commissioners for their involvement and participation and then adjourned the meeting at 3:27 p.m.

Minutes taken by Lori Lopez Urdiales, Administrative Assistant, and reviewed by staff of the Office of the Chief Information Officer/NITC.

Meeting Minutes