COMMUNITY COUNCIL

Monday, March 17, 2003, 1:30 P.M.

Executive Building, Conference Room 103

Lincoln, Nebraska

Minutes

MEMBERS PRESENT

Alliance Site: Mary Wernke, Letter Perfect Communications
Lincoln Site: Chris Anderson, City of Central City; Donna Hammack, St. Elizabeth Foundation; Gene Hand, Public Service Commission; and, Lance Hedquist, City of South Sioux City, Craig Schroeder, Rural Development Commission, Bruce Thiel, Bryan-LGH East, Norfolk Site: Len Benson, Faith Regional Health System; Michael Nolan, City of Norfolk.
Phone Bridge: Max Thacker, UNMC

MEMBERS ABSENT

Roger Keetle, Nebraska Hospital Association, Harold Krueger, Chadron Community Hospital, Pat Langan, Nebraska Department of Economic Development, Jeanne Saathoff, Kearney Public Library, Ted Smith, Norfolk Public Library, Bob Sweeney, AIM Institute

CALL TO ORDER, ROLL CALL, NOTICE OF POSTING AGENDA

Ms. Byers, Community Information Technology Manager, called the meeting to order at 1:33 PM at the main site in Lincoln. Eight duly authorized members were present; therefore, a quorum was present to conduct business. The meeting announcement was posted on the NITC Web site on February 6, 2003 and the Nebraska Public meeting site on March 10, 2003

APPROVAL OF JANUARY MINUTES

Mr. Hand moved to approve the January minutes. Mr. Hedquist seconded the motion. Roll Call Vote: Anderson – yes, Benson – yes, Hammack – yes, Hedquist – yes, Schroeder – yes, Thacker – yes, Thiel – yes, Hand – yes. The motion was carried by majority vote.

PUBLIC COMMENT

There was no public comment.

MEMBERSHIP

New Member Nominations – All prospective member biographies were made available for review by Council members.

• Tim Armstrong, Economic Development/Community Relations Manager, Great Plains Communications
• K.C. Belitz, President, Columbus Area Chamber
• John Dale, Assistant Library Director, Lincoln City Libraries.
• Norene Fitzgerald, Executive Director, York County Development Corporation
• Georgia Masters Keightley, Mayor, Crawford

The Community Council Charter says that the Council may have up to 24 members and is currently down to sixteen. Therefore, all of the prospective members could be approved. It would, however, leave the Council slightly heavy in terms of economic community development representation.

Mr. Hedquist moved to approve membership for all five nominees. Mr. Thiel seconded the motion. Roll Call Vote: Anderson – yes, Benson – yes, Hammack – yes, Hedquist – yes, Schroeder – yes, Thacker – yes, Thiel – yes, Hand – yes. The motion was carried by majority vote.

The final step in the selection process will be for the NITC to approve the nominations.

ELECTION OF THE NEW CO-CHAIR

Ron Heezen has moved to another opportunity. Bob Sweeney volunteered to serve as co-chair but was not present to speak. Mr. Hedquist moved to elect Bob Sweeney as co-chair. Mr. Schroeder seconded the motion. Roll Call Vote: Anderson – yes, Benson – yes, Hammack – yes, Hedquist – yes, Schroeder – yes, Thacker – yes, Thiel – yes, Hand – yes. The motion was carried by majority vote.

COMMUNITY IT DEVELOPMENT

Community Technology Special Project Application. The first eight communities selected to receive mini-grants have nearly completed their initial assessments. Their plans should be available by mid May. Because of its success, Ms. Byers proposed continuing the mini grant program, extending the program to eight new communities. Funding is not available to fund competitive grants through the Community Technology Fund. Enough funding is available for one special project of $20,000. The Technical Panel has reviewed and endorsed this project and it will now be reviewed and approved by the NITC.

There was discussion about potentially making the $20,000 mini grant money available to participating communities for implementation. There are, however, other sources of funding available and communities need to be encouraged to move in that direction.

Mr. Schroeder moved to approve the proposal to continue the community mini grant project for a second year, using the same process as last year to select eight new communities. Mr. Thiel seconded the motion. Roll Call Vote: Anderson – yes, Benson – yes, Hammack – yes, Hedquist – yes, Nolan – yes, Schroeder – yes, Thiel – yes, Hand – yes, Wernke – yes. The motion was carried by majority vote.

Technologies Across Nebraska Progress Report and Action Plan. The next Technology Across Nebraska meeting will be held Thursday, March 20 at 2 pm. A draft action plan and progress report was distributed. The action plan has not been finalized yet. The action plan will be finalized next week. There was concern that communities might be unaware of potential funding opportunities via CDBG. Making them aware of alternative resources is a part of the planning process.

Community IT Committee Survey. Ms. Byers is preparing to send out a survey to communities to hopefully attain some idea of what type of workshops are needed and where they should be held.

NETWORK UPDATES

Telehealth Network. Don Udel has been hired to help develop a state telehealth network plan. The Public Service Commission has requested a response by April 1. There will likely be a request for a one-month extension. Don Udel has already issued a first draft. The Telehealth Network Steering Committee will meet on Thursday, March 20 to discuss the plan.

NETCOM. Meetings with providers have taken place and the RFP should be issued this week.

NITC UPDATE

An all day meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 24 to discuss the NITC’s vision and future directions.

Mr. Schroeder expressed some excitement about the IT strategy they are putting together. The commission was the only non-telephone company involved in drafting communications legislation in 1996. Currently, they are evaluating what can be done on the private sector side to enhance what has already been done as well as doing research to see what has been done by other states and seeking partners to help provide staff support to work on project. The Commission includes fifteen sectors and is working to ensure their direction fits into the NITC's plan. More information will be available in April or May.

NEXT MEETING DATE AND LOCATION

The next meeting will be set following the NITC meeting.

ADJOURN

The meeting was adjourned.

Meeting Minutes