COMMUNITY COUNCIL
Nebraska Information Technology Commission
Friday, September 28, 2001, 9:30 p.m.
State Office Building, Conference Room 6Z, 301 Centennial Mall, South
Lincoln, Nebraska
MINUTES
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Gene Hand (for Anne Boyle), Public Service Commission
Donna Hammack, St. Elizabeth Foundation
Ron Heezen, Omaha Public Libraries
Michael Nolan, City of Norfolk
Jeanne Saathoff, Kearney Public Library and Information Center
Jo Lowe (for Craig Schroeder), Rural Development Commission
Chad Ebbens for Jim Lowe, Midwest MicroSystems
Ted Schultz, Nebraska Association of Hospitals and Health Systems
Ted Smith, Norfolk Public Library
Max Thacker, UNMC
Gary Warren, Hamilton Communications
Lance Hedquist, City of South Sioux City (via phone bridge)
Len Benson, Faith Regional Health System (via phone bridge)
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Chris Anderson, Harold Krueger, Bob Sweeney, Mary Wernke, Bruce Thiel
OTHERS PRESENT:
Anne Byers, NITC Community Council IT Manager; Roger Hahn, Nebraska Information Network, Myrta Hansen, Future Kids
ROLL CALL, INTRODUCTIONS, NOTICE OF POSTING OF AGENDA
Members and visitors introduced themselves. The meeting was called to order at 9:35 by Co-Chair Jeanne Saathoff and roll call was taken. Twelve members were present at the time of roll call. A quorum existed to conduct official business. Ms. Saathoff noted that the meeting announcement was posted on the NITC Web site on August 23 and was posted on the Nebraska Public Meeting site on Sept. 10, 2001. The agenda was posted on the NITC Web site and the Nebraska Public Meeting Web site on September 10, 2001.
APPROVAL OF JUNE 1, 2001 MINUTES
Mr. Schultz moved to approve the minutes as presented. Mr. Heezen seconded the motion. All were in favor. Motion was carried by voice vote.
PUBLIC COMMENT
There was no public comment.
COMMUNITY TECHNOLOGY FUND GUIDELINES (PDF 119k) AND APPLICATION
Anne Byers, Community Information Technology Manager
Ms. Byers thanked Craig Schroeder, Jeanne Saathoff, Chris Anderson, Jim McKenzie, Harold Krueger and Ted Schultz for working on the Community Technology Fund Guidelines. Ms. Byers pointed out that several changes were made to guidelines.
Three funding priorities were identified:
· Projects which use information technology to address community needs related to community and economic development, the delivery of local government and library services, and health care.
· Projects which use information technology to address community needs in innovative ways or projects in which communities are initiating the use of information technology to address community needs.
· Projects which demonstrate strong collaboration within a community or region in addressing IT development.
The guidelines also included a hard limit of $25,000 per award. Other changes included having all applicants submit applications electronically.
Ms. Byers asked for questions and comments regarding the guidelines. Mr. Nolan asked if the funding for the Community Technology Fund could be cut. Ms. Byers responded that it was certainly a possibility.
Mr. Heezen moved to approve the Community Technology Fund guidelines. Mr. Schultz seconded the motion. Motion was carried by unanimous voice vote.
COMMUNITY IT TOOLKIT AND UPDATE ON RURAL AND COMMUNITY IT PLANNING GROUP
Ms. Byers reported that the toolkit is progressing nicely. Presentations on the toolkit have been given at the August Technologies Across Nebraska meeting, the Nebraska Rural Institute and the League of Nebraska Municipalities annual meeting. Feedback has been positive.
Ms. Byers asked those who have volunteered to write success stories to get them in by October 15 if at all possible. Sections on Telehealth and Local Government and Libraries will hopefully be added by Dec. 31.
Mr. Hand asked if it was possible to tell how many people are viewing the toolkit. Ms. Byers promised to visit with Nebraska Online about getting statistics for the toolkit Web site.
Ms. Byers went over the goals and activities of the Rural and Community IT Planning Group.
She asked the group to consider hosting a conference on community IT development. The group expressed interest in hosting a conference. Mike Nolan mentioned that a group was working on plans for a Nebraska Futures Conference next year in November. He suggested that we might be able to work with them. It was suggested that there may also be other conferences that we could partner with, including the League of Nebraska Municipalities Annual meeting, the Nebraska Rural Institute and the NEDA conference.Mr. Smith suggested showcasing the successes of Nebraska communities as poster sessions.
The group discussed the importance of intellectual infrastructure and the relationship between intellectual infrastructure and the availability of jobs in rural communities. It was suggested a joint meeting of the Community Council and the Education Council might be helpful to begin addressing this issue.
The following people volunteered to work on planning a future conference: Lance Hedquist, Mike Nolan, Pat Langan. Jo Lowe volunteered Tanner Graham and Craig Schroeder.
TELEHEALTH UPDATE
Ms. Byers reported that the Telehealth Subcommittee met yesterday. She asked Ms. Hammack to give an update on reimbursement of services provided via telehealth. Ms. Hammack reported that beginning October 1, Medicaid coverage for services provided via telehealth will be greatly expanded. Most third-party payers are also providing reimbursement for services provided via telehealth, with the exception of Mutual of Omaha and Conseco.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND LIBRARIES
Ms. Byers asked for the names of any individuals who may be interested in working on the local government and libraries subcommittee. Mr. Heezen and Mr. Smith suggested Jeff Gilderson-Duwe.
NEXT MEETING DATES AND LOCATIONS AND ADJOURNMENT
The next meeting of the NITC Community Council was tentatively scheduled for Friday, January 4, 9:30-12:00. Ms. Byers will check into arrangements for videoconference sites.
Ms. Saathoff adjourned the meeting at 11:25 a.m.
Meeting Minutes