COMMUNITY COUNCIL
Nebraska Information Technology Commission
March 20, 2000, 1:30 p.m.
Southeast Community College Board Room, 1st Floor
1111 O Street, Lincoln
APPROVED MINUTES
MEMBERS PRESENT |
||
| Reba Benschoter Health-UNMC |
Gary Kiel Business-PKS Systems |
Ted Schultz Health-Nebr. Hospital Assc. |
| Len Benson Health-Faith Regional |
Darl Nauman Resource-Econ. Dev. |
Ann Stephens Libraries-Fremont |
| Anne Boyle Resource-Public Serv. Com. |
Michael Nolan Local Govt-City of Norfolk |
Bob Sweeney Business-AIM Institute |
| Donna Hammack Health-Good Samaritan |
Jeanne Saathoff Libraries-Kearney |
Clyde Tyndall Indian Affairs Commission |
| :Lance Hedquist Local Govt-South Sioux City |
Craig Schroeder Resource-Nebr. Rural Dev. |
Sue Volk Business-Midwest Microsystems |
| Ron Heezen Libraries-Omaha |
Ted Smith Libraries-Norfolk |
Gary Warren Resource-Info. Tech. Com. |
MEMBERS ABSENT |
||
| Tyler French Business-Inacom |
Gerry Kluch Agriculture-Ogallala |
Russ Pankonin Business-Imperial |
NOTICE OF POSTING OF AGENDA:
The meeting called to order at 1:45 p.m. by co-chair, Craig Schroeder. Roll call and business items were delayed until a quorum was present. Some members indicated they would be arriving late to the meeting. Mr. Schroeder stated that the meeting announcement was posted on NITC Web site and the Nebraska Public Meeting Web site on February 23, 2000. The agenda posted on NITC Web site March 14, 2000. Mr. Schroeder requested that the CDBG Fund Guideline informational presentation be moved up on the agenda.
CDBG FUND GUIDELINES:
Mark Werthman, from the Department of Economic Development, provided information on the Community Development Block Grants. The primary objective is to fund projects which benefit moderate to low-income populations. Planning projects are eligible. Council member suggestions and ideas for changes for the next funding cycle included:
- Eligibility of libraries. HUD and some other federal programs have no problem with libraries applying for monies But State of Nebraska does not allow libraries to apply for CDBG funds.
- Explore synergistic base type projects for businesses
- Develop Technology Center satellite sites across the state similar to the Technology Center in Lincoln
Ms. Byers will coordinate a meeting with Mr. Werthman and any Council members who are interested in providing more input regarding the CDBG process and changes.
ROLL CALL/INTRODUCTIONS:
Mr. Schroeder asked members to introduce themselves as part of the roll call. There were seventeen (17) members present. A quorum existed to conduct official business.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Ms. Boyle moved to approve the minutes as presented. Mr. Warren seconded. All were in favor. Motion carried by voice vote.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
There was no public comment.
MANAGING CONFLICTS OF INTEREST:
Several members of the Community Council have submitted applications for the Community Technology Fund. Mr. Winkle explained the grant review process. Reviewers with expertise in a number of areas have been identified. Two individuals will provide a technical review. Three individuals will provide a programmatic review. An aggregate score will be compiled to determine awarding of grants. In order to avoid a conflict of interest, the Council will not need to approve the awarding of grants.
COMMUNITY TECHNOLOGY FUND UPDATE:
Twenty-one (21) applications were received. Ms. Byers distributed a spreadsheet indicating the types of proposals submitted. A majority of the applications were for training and access projects. There is approximately $200,000 available to fund projects. Grant reviews will be completed by the end of the week. At which time, a report will be compiled. Staff will solicit feedback from reviewers on the process. The Council will discuss collaboration of projects at April's meeting.
FEDERAL-STATE JOINT CONFERENCE ON ADVANCED SERVICES:
Mr. Hand provided information on the Federal-State Joint Conference on Advance Services to be held on April 19-20, in South Sioux City. This is a joint effort between Nebraska and Iowa. Mr. Hedquist has been assisting with the arrangements. There will be a hearing on Wednesday, April 19th at 1 p.m. The FCC chair, William Kennard, and Senator Robert Kerrey will be in attendance. Panels on telehealth, wireless, and broadband will be conducted. Lt. Governor Maurstad has been invited to participate in the broadband panel. Mr. Nolan plans to testify during the final hour of the hearing. Tours (with limited seating) are being planned on the April 20th to Hawarden and Orange City. Arrangements will be finalized this afternoon. The final agenda will be posted on the Public Service Commission Web site. Mr. Nolan will testify at the hearing.
COMMUNITY IT TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT:
Mr. Winkle provided a Community IT Training and Development Grid developed by staff and recommended that the Council form a subcommittee to work on a "gap analysis" – who is doing what, how can these be coordinated through collaboration. Council members who volunteered to serve on the subcommittee were Mr. Hedquist, Mr. Schroeder, Mr. Sweeney, and Ms. Volk.
Mr. Heezen arrived at 2:42 p.m.
ACTION PLAN ITEMS:
Mr. Byers distributed a document indicating the 13 Community Council Action Items within the Statewide Plan that the Council has part or whole responsibility. Recent developments on some of the action items are as follows:
- TINA Study. Brenda Decker, Division of Communications will provide an update and next month's meeting.
- Telehealth Feasibility Study. Keith Mueller, UNMC, will be conducting the study and has met with the Telehealth subcommittee.
- Determine regulatory barriers to IT development and universal service. The FCC joint conference meeting on April 19th is a beginning. It was suggested that Mr. Hand provide information on the amount and framework of USF in Nebraska prior to the April 19th meeting. The follow-up meeting with Mr. Werthman on CDBG will provide another opportunity.
- Develop a coordinated plan for addressing the information technology needs of Nebraska's rural communities. Mr. Warren wanted it stated that this is a very important action item and estimated that this will take 80% of the council's efforts.
PROCESS TO PRIORITIZE 2001-2003 BIENNIUM BUDGET REQUESTS:
Mr. Winkle alerted that the Council will need to discuss how to prioritize any state appropriations projects at their May or June meeting. The NITC Commissioners want a prioritized list from the councils. Budget requests for any new or additional dollars must be submitted by September 15th. Agency technology plans must be submitted by July 1st. By November 15th, the NITC must submit their recommendations to the Governor and Legislature. Staff and the Technical Panel will have their reviews by October 10th. The Councils are encouraged to have their October meeting after October 10th. The Council agreed to move the meeting to October 13th.
FUTURE MEETING DATES/TIMES/LOCATIONS:
Videoconference sites will be available for the April 7th meeting. Mr. Warren offered to host the meeting on May 5th meeting providing a lunch and tour prior to the Council meeting courtesy of the Aurora Information Technology Committee. Tours to the leadership center, a software firm recruited to the community, and Hamilton Communications, to begin at 11:00 a.m. with a working lunch following.
The meeting was adjourned at 3:35 p.m. by co-chair, Mr. Schroeder.
Minutes taken by Lori Lopez Urdiales and reviewed by Anne Byers of the Office of the CIO/NITC.
Meeting Minutes