NEBRASKA INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY COMMISSION

Thursday, June 3, 2004, 12:15 p.m.
Central Community College-Columbus Campus
West Education Center, Room 209
4500 63rd Street, Columbus, Nebraska
APPROVED MINUTES

MEMBERS PRESENT:
Lieutenant Governor Dave Heineman, Chair
Linda Aerni, Chief Executive Officer, Community Internet Systems
Greg Adams, Mayor, City of York
Dr. Eric Brown, Manager, KRVN Radio
L. Merill Bryan, Senior Vice President & Chief Information Officer, Union Pacific
Trev Peterson, Attorney, Knudsen, Berkheimer, Richardson, and Endacott, LLP

MEMBERS ABSENT:
Dr. Doug Christensen, Commissioner, Department of Education and Dr. L. Dennis Smith, President, University of Nebraska

CALL TO ORDER, ROLL CALL, NOTICE OF MEETING

Lieutenant Governor Heineman called the meeting to order at 12:13 p.m. There were six members present at the time of roll call. A quorum existed to conduct official business. It was stated that the meeting notice was posted to the NITC and Public Calendar Web Sites on Wednesday, March 18, 2004. The meeting agenda was posted to the NITC website on May 27, 2004.

APPROVAL OF MARCH MINUTES

Commissioner Bryan moved to approve the March 9, 2004 minutes as presented. Commissioner Adams seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Adams-Yes, Aerni-Yes, Brown-Yes, Bryan-Yes, Heineman-Yes, and Peterson-Yes. Results: 6-Yes, 0-No. The motion was carried by unanimous vote.

PUBLIC COMMENT

There was no public comment.

PRESENTATION – CENTRAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE IT INITIATIVE
Matt Gotschall, Dean of Educational Services and Doug Pauley, Director of Business and Industry

Mr. Gotschall welcomed the Commission. Mr. Pauley provided a presentation on Central Community College’s IT initiatives. Nebraska Training (MS PowerPoint 1.4MB) provides state-of-the-art business training solutions. The Statewide Interactive Multimedia Training Library allows on-site training, seven days a week, 24 hours a day. Nebraska Training’s mission is to create and manage an up-to-date interactive multimedia training library utilizing CD’s and web technology. The multimedia library offers interactive training available for use anytime, anywhere and can be customized and designed to meet individual and organizational needs. Partners include the Department of Economic Development, Department of Labor, Nebraska Community College Association, Bureau of Apprenticeship, Nebraska business and industry across the state and One Stop Centers. Mr. Pauley entertained questions and comments from the Commissioners. The following link was given for more information: http://www.nebtrain.cccneb.

PRESENTATION – WAYNE STATE COLLEGE-COMMUNITY WIRELESS PROJECT

Dennis Linster, Chief Information Officer, Wayne State College

Mr. Linster also serves on the city council for Wayne, Nebraska. The telecommunications needs of Wayne State increase on campus during evening hours when students are out of the classroom and in their residential halls. Wayne State College approached the city council with a proposed Wireless Project that would connect Wayne Public Schools, Wayne city offices and county offices. Mr. Linster provided maps indicating the wireless network distribution points and the anticipated date for completion. This type of model would be beneficial for smaller communities. Mr. Linster entertained questions and comments from the Commissioners.

UPDATE ON MAJOR INITIATIVES – TELECOMMUNICATIONS INFRASTRUCTURE

Network Nebraska - Steve Schafer and Rick Golden. A press conference was held in Omaha at the Peter Kiewitt Center on April 19th to inform the public of progress of Phase II. It was a successful press conference with approximately 75 persons in attendance and the informational booths were helpful. The backbone is in place and progress is continuing. Discussions will continue with providers. CAP has been discussing the operation of the network, technical support, and how to work with individual schools and facilities. The concept of regional centers is being explored (eg. Wayne State and what they’re doing for that community). Most of current efforts have focused on working through the technical issues to bring on the other Educational Service Units, as well as issues dealing with the Telehealth Network. Mr. Golden reported that the SEGP application is being submitted and it is anticipated to have I2 access by July or August. Nebraska has selected three representatives to serve on their Advisory Council. Project 42 schools, Southeast Community College, Creighton University, Mid-Plains Community College in North Platte, and Lincoln Public Schools are the newest members of Network Nebraska. Wayne State College will be joining the end of June or the first part of July.Efforts will continue to recruit other community colleges and school districts as new members.

Nebraska Telehealth Network (PDF 480k) - Steve Schafer. Prior to the meeting, Commissioners had been given a report prepared by Dave Glover, Telehealth Consultant for the Nebraska Hospital Association. The report was broken down into the following sections: 1) Overall status of the Network; 2) Equipment; 3) Connectivity (statewide backbone); 4) Technical Issues; 5) Funding; 6) Security and Confidentiality; and 7) Assessment and Evaluation. Mr. Schafer was available to answer any questions. There were no questions.

Video Standards Work Group - Mike Beach. On May 26th, the Statewide Synchronous Video Work Group (SSVWG) held an all-day meeting at ESU10 in Kearney that brought together representatives from telehealth, distance learning consortia and Educational Service Units' operations staff. This was a significant meeting to build mutual understanding and support for the standards and Network Nebraska. On that same day, the SSVWG got together to conduct video and audio protocol testing. The testing did not take as long as the first time. It is anticipated that the standard will be ready for the Technical Panel in August and then on to the NITC for final approval at their September meeting. Mr. Beach entertained questions and comments from the Commissioners.

UPDATE ON MAJOR INITIATIVES – COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Status Report on Mini-Planning Grants (PDF 55k). Prior to the meeting, Commissioners had been given a report prepared by Anne Byers, Community Information Technology Manager. Mr. Schafer was available to answer any questions. There were no questions.

UPDATE ON MAJOR INITIATIVES – DELIVERY OF GOVERNMENT AND EDUCATIONAL SERVICES

eGovernment Initiatives (PDF 82k) - Steve Schafer. Prior to the meeting, Commissioners had been given a report. There were no questions.

eLearning Initiative - Tom Rolfes, Office of the CIO/NITC and Jim Zemke, University of Nebraska. This initiative was adopted by the NITC in March. The task group has been discussing the formation of an eLearning consortium to develop strategies. Proof of concept pilots have been conducted in high schools and some have developed into yearlong projects. Commissioner Adams stressed the importance of classroom interaction. Commissioners requested information on distance education usage in the schools. Mr. Rolfes will send the Department of Education link for this information to the Commissioners.

UPDATE ON MAJOR INITIATIVES – PLANNING AND ACCOUNTABILITY

Security Initiatives - Steve Schafer. Omni Tech conducted another vulnerability test and the results have been shared with agencies. Two persons from Omni Tech will be onsite next week to visit with agencies regarding their results. Funding for re-testing came from a grant from the Government Technology Collaboration Fund. On another security initiative, the Department of Administrative Services has hired a firm to develop a business continuity plan.

2004 STATEWIDE TECHNOLOGY PLAN

State statute requires an annual update of the NITC’s Statewide Technology Plan. This year the statewide plan is shorter and focuses on the eight strategic initiatives that the NITC adopted in March. The initiatives are tied in with the four goals of the NITC.The councils have adopted action items that support the NITC initiatives. The effectiveness measures section will become part of the biennium report. Before final approval of the Statewide Technology Plan, Lieutenant Governor Heineman stressed the need for support of the statewide plan and would like to have an opportunity to communicate with policy makers, Department of Education and the University of Nebraska.

Commissioner Bryan moved to tentatively approve the 2004 Statewide Technology Plan (PDF 603k) with final approval to be decided at the September NITC meeting. Commissioner Brown seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Peterson-Yes, Adams-Yes, Heineman-Yes, Aerni-Yes, Bryan-Yes, and Brown-Yes. Results: 6-Yes, 0-No. The motion was carried by unanimous vote.

There were no questions on the Progress Report (PDF 128k).

OTHER REPORTS - COMMUNITY COUNCIL REPORT, Steve Schafer

Membership (PDF 61k). The Community Council has four members up for renewal: Len Benson, Faith Regional Health System; Donna Hammack, St. Elizabeth Foundation; Max Thacker, UNMC; and Chris Anderson, City of Central City. In addition, Carol Brandl, Telehealth Services Coordinator for BryanLGH, has been nominated to serve on the Community Council. She has been active on the Telehealth Subcommittee and has participated in meetings concerning Network Nebraska. The Community Council is requesting approval of these membership recommendations.

Commissioner Peterson moved to approve the Community Council’s membership recommendations. Commissioner Adams seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Brown-Yes, Bryan-Yes, Aerni-Yes, Heineman-Yes, Adams-Yes, and Peterson-Yes. Results: 6-Yes, 0-No. The motion was carried by unanimous vote.

Community Technology Fund (PDF 78k). The University of Nebraska’s Technologies Across Nebraska initiative, in partnership with the Nebraska Information Technology Commission’s Community Council, is proposing a third year of funding for the IT Planning and Mini Grant Program. The program assists communities and regional groups in conducting community information technology assessments and in developing technology plans to utilize information technology to enhance community and economic development. The fund would appropriate $20,000 for eight $2,500 mini grants to community or regional groups. Commissioner Adams stated that the community of York has benefited from the mini-grant program.

Commissioner Brown moved to approve the Community Council’s recommendation for a third year of funding for the IT Planning and Mini Grant Program. Commissioner Adams seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Peterson-Yes, Adams-Yes, Heineman-Yes, Aerni-Yes, Bryan-Yes, and Brown-Yes. Results: 6-Yes, 0-No. The motion was carried by unanimous vote.

OTHER REPORTS - EDUCATION COUNCIL, Tom Rolfes

The Education Council met on March 19th and May 21st. Discussions have focused on the Priorities and Action Items for the Statewide Technology Plan per the NITC’s goals and initiatives. The council has also been working with NOL on the development of the Education Portal enhancements.

Membership (PDF 62k). The recommendation for membership renewals and/or replacements effective July 1, 2004 is as follows:

Higher Education Renewals: Arnold Bateman, Dennis Linster
Higher Education Replacement for Dr. Moskus: Mike Chipps, Mid-Plains Community College

K-12 Education Renewals: Terry Haack, Jeff Johnson, Mike Pate, and Alan Wibbels
The Independent Colleges & Universities sector is seeking a replacement for Rob Manzer who is resigning due to a relocation. The Education Council is requesting approval of these membership recommendations.

Commissioner Brown moved to approve the Education Council’s recommendations for membership. Commissioner Adams seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Peterson-Yes, Heineman-Yes, Bryan-Yes, Brown-Yes, Aerni-Yes, and Adams-Yes. Results: 6-Yes, 0-No. The motion was carried by unanimous vote.

OTHER REPORTS - STATE GOVERNMENT COUNCIL REPORT, Steve Schafer

Some of the other projects the council has undertaken include the development of an enterprise architecture for all of state government and an online business registration portal. Next Tuesday, the council will be meeting with a NASCIO team with representatives from Georgia, Kansas and North Dakota to discuss enterprise architecture. Nebrask@Online is assisting with the online business registration portal. The primary focus for the past months has been the recommendation of an email standard for state government to the Technical Panel. Mr. Schafer commended Rick Becker for his efforts in this endeavor.

OTHER REPORTS - TECHNICAL PANEL REPORT, Rick Golden

The Technical Panel has met twice since the last NITC meeting. The work groups continue to meet. Technical reviews were done for the State Records Board grant applications. The State Government Council has been working on an Email Standard for State Government Agencies. The standard will help unify email systems in state government and provide greater security. The Technical Panel has reviewed the standard and it has already gone out for public comment. The Technical Panel is recommending approval of the E-mail Standard for State Government Agencies

Commissioner Aerni moved to approve the Email Standard for State Government Agencies (PDF 143k) as presented. Commissioner Peterson seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Bryan-Yes, Peterson-Yes, Heineman-Yes, Adams-Yes, Brown-Yes, and Aerni-Yes. Results: 6-Yes, 0-No. The motion was carried by unanimous vote.

Commissioners discussed centralized administration of email systems.

OTHER BUSINESS

Lieutenant Governor Heineman announced that, Susan Heider, Chief Information Officer for Regional West Medical Center in Scottsbluff, will be replacing Hod Kosman on the Nebraska Information Technology Commission. She will be attending the September meeting.

Commissioner Peterson moved to pass a resolution thanking the Columbus Community Hospital for the tour, Wayne State College for their presentation, and Central Community College for their presentation, as well as for hosting the meeting. Commissioner Bryan seconded. Roll call vote: Adams-Yes, Aerni-Yes, Brown-Yes, Bryan-Yes, Heineman-Yes, and Peterson-Yes. Results: 6-Yes, 0-No. The motion was carried by unanimous vote.

Commissioner Peterson will work on the wording of the resolution and get to staff to include in a thank you letter.

NEXT MEETING DATE, TIME AND ADJOURNMENT

The next meeting of the Nebraska Information Technology Commission will be on Thursday, September 9th, 2004 at the Union Pacific headquarters in Omaha. The meeting may begin earlier in the morning with a working lunch. The November 10th meeting will be held in Lincoln with the location to be determined. Lieutenant Governor Heineman thanked the commissioners for their work and stressed the importance of upcoming meetings.

Commissioner Bryan moved to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Adams seconded. All were in favor. The motion was carried by unanimous voice vote.

The meeting was adjourned at 3:00 p.m.

Meeting minutes were taken by Lori Lopez Urdiales and reviewed by the Office of the CIO/NITC staff.

Meeting Minutes