COMMUNITY COUNCIL

Nebraska Information Technology Commission

Monday, August 16, 2004, 10:30 a.m.

Videoconference Sites:

Lincoln – Executive Building, Suite 101, 521 South 14th Street

Chadron – Chadron State College Student Center, Scottsbluff Room, 10th and Main

Kearney – Public Library, Information Center-2nd Floor, 2020 First Avenue

Norfolk – NECC MaClay Building, Room 122, 801 Benjamin Avenue

North Platte – McKinley Education Center, Room 1, 301 West F Street

South Sioux City – City Hall, 1615 1st Avenue

MINUTES

Members Present: Chris Anderson, John Jordison (for Tim Armstrong), Len Benson, Carol Brandl, John Dale, Lisa Dominisse, Norene Fitzgerald, Lance Hedquist, Pat Langan, Georgia Masters Keightley, Michael Nolan, Jeanne Saathoff, Ted Smith, and Bob Sweeney

Members Absent:  K.C. Belitz, Donna Hammack, Roger Keetle, Harold Krueger, Max Thacker, Jerry Vap

Guests:  Roger Hahn, Kit Keller, Steve Williams

Staff:  Anne Byers

ROLL CALL, INTRODUCTIONS, NOTICE OF POSTING

Mr. Sweeney called the meeting to order at 10:40 a.m., Mr. Sweeney noted that the meeting announcement was posted on the NITC and Nebraska Public Meeting web sites on July 14, 2004 and that the agenda was posted on August 9, 2004.  There were fourteen members present at the time of roll call.  A quorum existed to conduct official business.

APPROVAL OF FEBRUARY MINUTES

Mr. Langan moved to approve the May 17, 2004 minutes as presented.  Mr. Hedquist seconded the motion.  Roll call vote: Anderson-Yes, Jordison-Yes, Benson-Yes, Brandl-Yes,  Dale-Yes, Dominisse-Yes, Fitzgerald-Yes, Hedquist-Yes, Langan-Yes,  Keightley-Yes, Nolan-Yes, Saathoff-Yes, Smith-Yes,  Sweeney-Yes .  Results: Yes-14, No-0.  The motion was carried by unanimous vote.

PUBLIC COMMENT

There was no public comment.

NEBRASKA STATEWIDE TELEHEALTH NETWORK

Dave Glover

The Nebraska Hospital Association, in partnership with the Nebraska Public Service Commission, Nebraska Health and Human Services System, Nebraska Information Technology Commission and Office of the Chief Information Officer, Nebraska Division of Communications, University of Nebraska, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Nebraska hospital telehealth hubs and hospitals, Central Nebraska Area Health Education Center, telecommunications providers, the Nebraska Information Network, and the Universal Services Administrative Company (Federal Universal Service Fund Administrator),  is leading an effort to create a statewide telehealth network.  A test will be done in September to connect the 30-40 hospitals in the state with videoconferencing capabilities.   Arrangements are being made to secure funding through bioterrorism funds to purchase video conferencing equipment for health departments and hospitals without this equipment.  The Federal Universal Service Fund will provide support for telecommunications line charges to $250 per line.    The Public Service Commission is expected to approve plans for providing further support for the Nebraska Statewide Telehealth Network through the Nebraska Universal Service Fund in September, 2004.  With Nebraska Universal Service Fund support, hospitals are expected to pay $200 per line.  

IT PLANNING AND MINI GRANT UPDATE

Ms. Byers announced that applications for the IT Planning and Mini Grant program were due on Friday, August 13.  Applications from Chappell, Cuming County, Hartington, Kearney, and Nemaha County were received.    Ms. Byers suggested that the Council discuss next steps for the program at the next meeting.  

Ms. Byers briefly noted changes made to the 2004-2005 IT Planning Workbook, including a new section on 5 technology trends for communities.   She also noted that the TANgents newsletter received positive reader evaluations and is providing a valuable service to communities.      

E-COMMERCE COORDINATION UPDATE

Last spring, a meeting of e-commerce training providers was organized by the Rural Development Commission, Nebraska Rural Initiative and the Nebraska Information Technology Commission.  As a follow-up, Ms. Byers  has compiled a more in-depth inventory of e-commerce training programs in the state and has summarized research on the use of e-commerce by small businesses.   She is waiting for evaluation results from the Nebraska Electronic Main Street program before sharing the document with Sandy Scofield and Lisa Dominisse.   Connie Hancock is developing a handout for businesses with tips on how to choose an Web designer.  Ms. Byers asked Council members to provide feedback on the handout. 

NITC STRATEGIC INITIATIVES

Ms. Byers explained that in order to emphasize the importance of selected initiatives to policymakers, the NITC has identified a number of strategic initiatives.  The two strategic initiatives which deal the most directly with the Community Council are the Nebraska Statewide Telehealth Network and IT Planning and Development.   A gap analysis is being prepared for each initiative.  Drafts of the gap analyses will be presented to the NITC for their approval.   

Ms. Byers asked the Council to discuss the gap analyses for the Nebraska Statewide Telehealth Network and IT Planning and Development and to consider approving them for submission to the NITC at their Sept. 9 meeting.  

IT Planning and Development.  Ms. Byers explained that Glen Cox had suggested including an explanation of the connections between the IT Planning and Mini Grant program and the Nebraska Rural Initiative's internship program.  Ms. Keightley urged that the document include information on the gender gap in enrollments in advanced technology courses in high school.  The Nebraska Commission on the Status of Women sponsored a recent study on the topic.   Ms. Keightley also urged that the document should draw attention to the needs of other special populations such as senior citizens and Hispanics that have historically lagged behind in their use of technology.  

Carol Brandl made a motion to approve the gap analysis for IT Planning and Development, incorporating the changes suggested by Mr. Cox and Ms. Keightley.   The motion was seconded by Ted Smith.   

Roll call vote: Anderson-Yes, Jordison-Yes, Benson-Yes, Brandl-Yes,  Dale-Yes, Dominisse-Yes, Fitzgerald-Yes, Hedquist-Yes, Langan-Yes,  Keightley-Yes, Nolan-Yes, Saathoff-Yes, Smith-Yes,  Sweeney-Yes .  Results: Yes-14, No-0.  The motion was carried by unanimous vote.

Nebraska Statewide Telehealth Network.  Ms. Byers noted that Dave Glover had suggested several changes to the Nebraska Statewide Telehealth Network gap analysis including adding additional sites in the objective section, adding the Northern Nebraska AHEC in paragraph two of the current state section, changing the connection date to September, and including the amount of funding anticipated from the Nebraska Universal Service Fund in funding year 2004-2005.  

Mr. Jordison left the meeting.

John Dale made a motion to approve the gap analysis for the Nebraska Statewide Telehealth Network, incorporating the changes suggested by Mr. Glover.  The motion was seconded by Ted Smith.   

Roll call vote: Anderson-Yes,  Benson-Yes, Brandl-Yes,  Dale-Yes, Dominisse-Yes, Fitzgerald-Yes, Hedquist-Yes, Langan-Yes,  Keightley-Yes, Nolan-Yes, Saathoff-Yes, Smith-Yes,  Sweeney-Yes .  Results: Yes-12, No-0, abstaining-1.  The motion was carried by unanimous vote.

NEXT MEETING DATE AND ADJOURNMENT

The next meeting will be in the winter.  With no further business, Mr. Sweeney adjourned the meeting at 12:15 p.m.

Meeting Minutes