COMMUNITY COUNCIL
July 16, 2007, 1:30 p.m.
Governor's Residence, Lower Level Meeting Room,
1425 H St., Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska
MINUTES
MEMBERS PRESENT
Chris Anderson, City of Central City
Mitch Arnold, Preferred Partners, LLC
Jason Barelman, Wayne State College
Scott W. Bovick, City of Nebraska City
Linda Fettig, Rural Development Commission
Dean Folkers, Department of Education
Darla Heggem, Twin Cities Development, Scottsbluff-Gering
Brad McPeak, AIM Institute
Joan Modrell, Department of Labor
Michael Nolan,City of Norfolk
Caleb T. Pollard, Nebraska Department of Economic Development
Angie Ramaekers, Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce
Dan Shundoff, Intellicom
Ted Smith,Norfolk Public Library
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Don Costello, University of Nebraska, Lincoln; Norene Fitzgerald, York County Development Corporation; John Jordison, Great Plains Communications; Bethanne Kunz, Valley County Economic Development; Lynn Manhart, Central City Public Library; Rivkah Sass, Omaha Public Library; Jerry Vap, Public Service Commission; and Steve Williams, Nebraska Department of Economic Development
ROLL CALL, NOTICE OF POSTING OF AGENDA, NOTICE OF NEBRASKA OPEN MEETINGS ACT POSTING
Ted Smith called the meeting to order at 1:35 p.m. Roll call was taken. There was a quorum of 14 members present. Mr. Smith stated that the meeting announcement was posted on the NITC Web site and on the Nebraska Public Meeting Web site on June 7, 2007. The meeting agenda was posted on July 3, 2007. A copy of the Nebraska Open Meetings Act was located on the table.
APPROVAL OF MAY 18, 2007 MINUTES
Mr. McPeak moved to approve the May 18, 2007 minutes as presented. Mr. Bovick seconded. All were in favor. Motion carried.
PUBLIC COMMENT
There was no public comment.
INTRODUCTIONS AND SHARING OF INFORMATION
Members introduced themselves and provided brief biographical information.
COMMUNITY COUNCIL OVERVIEW:
Anne Byers, Community I.T. Manager
Ms. Byers provided a brief overview of the council’s history since it’s inception in 1998, as well as its current Mission, Responsibilities, and Goals and Accomplishments.
BRAINSTORMING TO IDENTIFY COMMUNITY TECHNOLOGY NEEDS
Members identified serveral community technology needs and then prioritized the needs by using the dot voting method. The needs identified included:
- Make technology available to all consumers/Universal technology and Internet access—16
- Direct, efficient link between job seekers and employers and other community information/ Connecting the Pieces/Coordinate access efforts among community engagements—11
- Consolidate community resources to reduce duplication and overlap—9
- Cell phone coverage—9
- New generation workforce training for adults—8
- Competitive business class broadband—6
- People first—Get the people to drive the infrastructure—3
- Soft skills development-1
- Video conference sites
UPDATE COMMUNITY COUNCIL MISSION
Current mission statement reads: The mission of the Council is to foster the collaborative and innovative use of technology through partnerships between public and private sectors, to improve teleliteracy, and to support community and economic development for Nebraska citizens.
After discussion, the council recommended the following wording:
The mission of the Council is to foster the collaborative, innovative, and effective use of technology through partnerships between public and private sectors to support community and economic development for Nebraska citizens.
Mr. Nolan moved to approve the revised Community Council mission statement. Ms. Barelman seconded. All were in favor. Motion carried.
UPDATE COMMUNITY COUNCIL RESPONSIBILITIES
After discussions, the Council members agreed on the following Community Council Responsibilities with the understanding that these may be revised as the council progresses:
- Assist the Commission in developing, reviewing and updating the statewide technology plan.
- Identify specific community information technology needs in Nebraska.
- Develop strategies to address the unique circumstances of rural areas with sparse population.
- Establish such subcommittees and task forces as necessary and appropriate to advise the Council on specific issues.
- Recommend policies, guidelines and standards that promote economic opportunities, innovation, and entrepreneurship to improve quality of life in communities through the use of information technology.
- Recommend policies and initiatives that promote awareness, access, training, partnerships, and planning for the use of information technology in communities.
- Review and make recommendations to the Commission on requests for funds from the Community Technology Fund.
UPDATE COMMUNITY COUNCIL CHARTER
The charter was reviewed. The updated mission statement and responsibilities would be revised in the charter. The telehealth sector will be omitted in the membership section.
Ms. Fettig moved to recommend the revised Community Council Charter for approval by the NITC. Mr. McPeak seconded. All were in favor. Motion carried.
UPDATING COMMUNITY COUNCIL GOALS
By group consensus, the council recommended to table this agenda item until the next Community Council meeting.
Members were reminded to provide articles for TAN newsletter.
NEXT MEETING DATE AND ADJOURNMENT
Ms. Byers will poll the council members as to the availability for a September meeting.
With no further business, Mr. Smith adjourned the meeting at 4:30 p.m.
Minutes were taken by Lori Lopez Urdiales and reviewed by Anne Byers of the Office of the CIO.