COMMUNITY COUNCIL MEETING

Friday, March 2, 2001, 1:00 p.m.
Video Conference Sites: Lincoln, Omaha and North Platte
APPROVED MINUTES

MEMBERS PRESENT

Ron Heezen, Libraries

Lincoln Site: Chris Anderson, Local Government; Sue Finkral, Agriculture; Donna Hammack, Health; Gene Hand, Resource; Lance Hedquist, Local Government (via phone); Harold Krueger, Health; Craig Schroeder, Resource; Ted Schultz, Health; Bob Sweeney, Business; Gary Warren, Resource; and Mary Wernke, Business; Ron Heezen, Libraries

North Platte Site: Gerry Kluch, Agriculture

MEMBERS ABSENT: Tyler French, Business; Gary Kiel, Business; Michael Nolan, Local Government; Ted Smith, Libraries; Ann Stephens, Libraries; Max Thacker, Health; and Clyde Tyndall, Resource

ROLL CALL, INTRODUCTIONS, NOTICE OF POSTING OF AGENDA

Co-chair, Craig Schroeder, called the meeting to order at 1:35 p.m. Roll call was taken. There were eleven members present at the time of roll call. A quorum existed to conduct official business. Mr. Schroeder stated that the meeting notice was posted on the NITC web site on February 15th and the Nebraska Public Meeting web site on February 26th. The agenda was posted on the NITC web site on February 27th and the Nebraska Public Meeting web site on February 26th.

Mr. Sweeney shared information regarding the Nebraska Business Use of Information Technology (PDF) report. The report will be available on the NITC Community Council web site.

APPROVAL OF JANUARY MINUTES

Mr. Kluch moved to approve the minutes as presented. Ms. Finkral seconded the motion. All were in favor. Motion was carried by voice vote.

PUBLIC COMMENT

There was no public comment.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

Ms. Byers shared information on upcoming legislation and legislative hearings. Members provided their perspectives and input.

COMMUNITY TECHNOLOGY FUND

Ms. Byers reported that twenty-eight (28) eligible applications were received. Four were denied: one because of a late postmark and three because they did not provide a match of at least 20% of the total project cost. problems. Steve Schafer explained that amount available for the 2001 Community Technology Fund has been reduced to approximately $225,000. The office of the NITC/CIO was informed that $48,000 which had been returned from a grant in the first Community Technology Fund cycle could not be carried over to this year's fund.

Project reviews are due MArch 23rd. Many members have been asked to review applications.

NEW BUSINESS

A question was raised regarding the NETCOM RFP and local competition. Mr. Winkle reported that there is nothing currently in the RFP that would restrict local competition.

Mr. Heezen arrived at the Lincoln site at 1:46 p.m.

Mr. Warren invited members to attend the Info Tech Survivor Camp-Forming an Alliance with Technology conference, Saturday, March 24, 8-11:30 a.m. at Aurora Middle School in Aurora, Nebraska.

COMMUNITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES AND ACTION PLANS

After discussion, the following suggestions were given for the Council's priorities (PDF 8k):

• Developing a workforce knowledgeable of and fluent in the use and applications of information technology. Efforts should be made to promote the recruitment and retention of IT professionals within the state.

The council wanted this statement strengthened. It was recommended to use the terminology of "intellectual infrastructure".

Action Plan Items:

Ms. Byers reviewed the Action Plan Items (PDF 170k) with the Council. Many of the them have been completed and a couple of items were on-going.

Ms. Wernke arrived at the Lincoln site at 2:05 p.m.

Ms. Byers reported that the Telehealth Subcommittee is bringing in telehealth grantees to discuss telehealth in Nebraska and get input for the Telehealth Action Plan Items (PDF 9k). Mr. Hand receives a monthly one-page spreadsheet report on the University Service Fund. He offered to share this with the members.

The Council had a brainstorming session and will further develop the following topics and issues:

• Dialog with resource providers/Build connections with other groups
• Bring in business IT entrepreneur speakers into communities
• Focus on telehealth policies (reimbursement and licensure)
• Develop a resource manual and case studies for communities
• Conduct a Governor’s Conference on "Business Success". There is a need for statewide education on e-commerce and business.
• Hold a series of listening sessions
• Work with University of Nebraska's Technologies Across Nebraska initiative
• Conduct an inventory of individuals and IT companies in the state that provide communities assistance with business information technology.

Ms. Byers will rewrite and sent out the list of priorities and the list of ideas generated to members. Members are to indicate which areas they would be willing to help further develop. Mr. Kluch will provide the office with a list of mainstreet groups. The action items will be an item of discussion for the next few Council meetings.

NEXT MEETING DATE AND LOCATION

The next meeting of the Community Council will be held on Friday, April 6th. The location will be determined.

Mr. Schroeder adjourned the meeting at 3:50 p.m.

Minutes were taken by Lori Lopez Urdiales and reviewed by Anne Byers, Office of the CIO/NITC.

Meeting Minutes