COMMUNITY COUNCIL
July 24, 2006, 1:30 PM - 3:30 CT
Lincoln:Executive: Lincoln Executive Bldg.-Suite 103, 521 S 14th St.
Columbus: Columbus Public Library-Columbus Rm., 2nd Fl., 2504 14th St.;
Norfolk: NECC (Northeast Community College) MaClay Bldg.-Rm. 122, 801 East Benjamin Ave.
North Platte: Educational Service Unit #16, Distance Learning Rm., 1221 W 17th St.
MINUTES
Members and Alternates Present: K.C. Belitz, Norene Fitzgerald, Donna Hammack, Lance Hedquist, Brandon Kelliher, Lynn Manhart, Michael Nolan, Ted Smith, Bob Sweeney, Jerry Vap, and Steve Williams
Members Absent: Chris Anderson, Len Benson, Linda Fettig, and John Jordison
CALL TO ORDER, ROLL CALL/INTRODUCTIONS, NOTICE OF POSTING OF AGENDA, NOTICE OF OPEN MEETINGS LAW POSTING
Mr. Sweeney called the meeting to order at 1:35 p.m. There were 10 members present at the time of roll call. A quorum existed to conduct official business. The meeting announcement was posted on the NITC and Nebraska Public Meeting Web sites on June 28, 2006. The agenda was posted on July 17, 2006. Open meetings law was available for anyone interested.
APPROVAL OF JANUARY 17, 2006 MINUTES
Mr. Vap moved to approve the January 17, 2006 minutes as presented. Mr. Williams seconded. All were in favor. Motion carried by majority voice vote.
PUBLIC COMMENT
There was no public comment.
Mr. Smith arrived at the Norfolk site.
MEMBERSHIP - APPROVAL OF NEW MEMBER NOMINATIONS
Below is the slate of new nominees to serve on the Community Council:
Stacey Aldrich, Omaha Public Library
Brad McPeak, AIM Institute
Don Costello, University of Nebraska
Scott Bovick, City of Nebraska City
Delane A. Wycoff, M.D.
Ms. Hammack moved to recommend the slate of new nominees to the NITC for final approval. Mr. Vap seconded. Roll call vote: Belitz-Yes, Fitzgerald-Yes, Hammack-Yes, Hedquist-Yes, Kelliher-Yes, Manhart-Yes, Smith-Yes, Sweeney-Yes, Vap-Yes, and Williams-Yes. Results: Yes-10, No-0. Motion carried.
Mr. Nolan arrived at the meeting.
MEMBERSHIP - APPROVAL OF MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS
Ms. Hammack moved to recommend Ted Smith and Michael Nolan for membership renewals to the NITC for final approval. Mr. Williams seconded. Roll call vote: Belitz-Yes, Fitzgerald-Yes, Hammack-Yes, Hedquist-Yes, Kelliher-Yes, Manhart-Yes, Nolan-Yes, Smith-Abstain, Sweeney-Yes, Vap-Yes, and Williams-Yes. Results: Yes-10, No-0. Abstain-1. Motion carried.
MEMBERSHIP - Recognition of Departing Members
Bob Sweeney, Lance Hedquist, Mary Wernke, and Roger Keetle were recognized for their work and efforts on the Community Council.
RECOMMENDATION OF COMMUNITY TECHNOLOGY FUND SPECIAL PROJECT PROPOSAL - Podcasting across Nebraska--Anne Byers
The Community Technology Fund has $20,000 available to fund I.T. projects. The funding comes from 2 cents of cigarette sales tax dollars. At past meetings, council members indicated that communities were interested in using podcasting. Below is information about the Podcasting Across Nebraska Project:
Project Goal: To foster the effective use of podcasting to promote tourism, events, recreation in three Nebraska communities or regional groups.
Project Description: Podcasting across Nebraska consists of two components:
- Train the Trainer. Training on podcast production will be provided to approximately 30 University of Nebraska Extension, State of Nebraska, and Nebraska Lied Main Street staff on podcast production. The New Media Center at the University of Nebraska will conduct the training on August 16 and 17. The first session will be a half-day session for staff members with an interest in podcasting. The second session will provide one and a half days of training for staff who will be involved in podcast production or training community and regional groups to produce podcasts.
- Community Podcasting Pilot. Community or regional groups will be invited to submit applications to participate in the pilot podcasting program. Three communities or regional groups will be selected by a selection committee comprised of representatives of the project partners. Criteria will include strength of local or regional partnerships, youth/school involvement, and planned use of regularly updated podcasts and stand alone audio or videocasts. Every effort will be made to select communities or regional groups from various parts of the state.
Members recommended that podcast training be made available at a reasonable cost to communities interested in podcasting but not selected to participate in the Podcasting Across Nebraska program. This is a pilot project and if it is successful, the NITC may be able to provide this project again to other communities.
Ms. Hammack moved to approve the special project with additional comments to provide additional training to communities by trained trainers, and to encourage repititon of training at a moderate cost. Mr. Nolan seconded. Roll call vote: Belitz-Yes, Fitzgerald-Yes, Hammack-Yes, Hedquist-Yes, Kelliher-Yes, Manhart-Yes, Smith-Yes, Sweeney-Yes, Vap-Yes, and Williams-Yes. Results: Yes-10, No-0. Motion carried.
UPDATES
Public Service Commission Study on Broadband Availability, Jerry Vap. The commission conducted a study 3 years ago and initiated an update in January. The report will be released at the tomorrow’s Public Service Commission meeting. Some independent Internet providers did not complete the survey, so the report may understate the availability of broadband services in the state. The Public Service Commission is holding a workshop to discuss ways to improve the data collection process and survey data. The workshop will be held the afternoon of August 22. Community Council members were invited to attend.
Broadband Services Task Force, Anne Byers. The next task force is scheduled for Wednesday morning and has been meeting on a regular. The task force is currently collecting information and will be receiving the Public Service Commission’s report as well.
Nebraska Statewide Telehealth Network. Ms. Hammack reported that all hospitals in Nebraska and Public Health departments are now connected. A test of the Health Alert Network was successful. In June, a hearing was held and the Public Service Commission approved the recommended change to include funding for hubs that do not currently have bridges.
K-12 Distance Education Network (LB 1208 Implementation), Brenda Decker. The Distance Education Enhancement Task Force was created by the Legislature to study distance education in Nebraska and make recommendations to the Legislature. As a result of the recommendations of the task force, LB 1208 was proposed and passed, creating a statewide K-12 distance education network. Schools are encouraged to participate in Network Nebraska. The Office of the CIO is charged with bidding for equipment (codecs, routers, switches, etc). The Education Council of the NITC has taken the lead on LB 1208 and is working collaboratively with other agencies and educational institutions. Incentive monies are tied to sharing of courses. The federal eRate program will be utilized as much as possible. The first schools will be connected in the summer of 2007. Mr. Vap stated that this will be a benefit to all students in Nebraska because at all schools will be able to provide the same services and capabilities through the same or similar formats.
TIGER MINI GRANTS 6 month report, Anne Byers. Last fiscal year, the NITC approved the five projects. Three of the five projects have been completed. The remaining two projects are making progress. The grant award period ends January 15, 2007.
Job Creation and Workforce Development Joint Committee, Anne Byers. Last August there was a meeting of the Technical Panel held with the all the NITC advisory councils. Ms. Byers will be organizing this committee and invited any interested members to participate.
NEW BUSINESS AND NEXT MEETING DATE, ADJOURN
There was no new business.
NEXT MEETING AND MEETING ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Sweeney adjourned the meeting at 2:40 p.m.
Ms. Byers will contact members regarding a next meeting date.
Minutes were taken by Lori Lopez Urdiales and reviewed by Anne Byers of the Office of the CIO.