TECHNICAL PANEL

Tuesday, April 16, 2002, 9:00 a.m.
Clifford Harding Center for Continuing Education-North Platte Room
33rd & Holdrege
Lincoln, Nebraska

APPROVED MINUTES

MEMBERS PRESENT:

Mike Beach, Nebraska Educational Telecommunications Commission
Steve Henderson, alternate for Brenda Decker, Department of Administrative Services
Steve Schafer, Chief Information Officer, State of Nebraska
Walter Weir, Chief Information Officer, University of Nebraska
MEMBERS ABSENT: Christy Horn, University of Nebraska, Compliance Officer

CALL TO ORDER, ROLL CALL AND NOTICE OF MEETING

The Chair, Walter Weir, called the meeting to order at 9:05 a.m. There were three members present at the time roll call. A quorum existed to conduct official business. The meeting notice was posted to the NITC and Public Meeting Calendar Websites on March 13, 2002. The meeting agenda was posted to the NITC Website on April 10, 2002.

APPROVAL OF MARCH 12, 2002 MINUTES

Mr. Schafer moved to approve the minutes as presented. Mr. Beach seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Schafer-Yes, Weir-Yes, and Beach-Yes. Motion was carried by unanimous vote.

NIS (NEBRASKA INFORMATION SYSTEM) UPDATE
Tom Conroy, Project Director

Mr. Henderson arrived at 9:10 a.m.

The project is behind schedule. IBM has brought in two more people with project management experience. A total project management assessment is currently underway. Resources and time frames are being re-evaluated. The results will go to the Steering Committee tomorrow. The proposed timeline changes are as follows:

11/4/02 - Finance, Projects, Grants, Fixed Assets and Budget Management
10/14/02 – Human Resources
1/3/03 – Human Resources/Payroll
2/3/03 - Purchasing and Inventory
FY 2005-05 - Biennial Budget Preparation

The analysis and design of the interfaces are becoming more difficult. A state project manager, Skip Philson, has been assigned to assist Mr. Conroy. A Change Order will need to be negotiated with the consultant.

Mr. Conroy entertained questions and comments regarding the following:

• Discussion of penalties for IBM’s delay in project
• Decision making processes
• Interfaces
• Technical Panel assistance to the NIS project was offered
• Ongoing support after go-live date

COMMUNITY TECHNOLOGY FUND GRANT REVIEWS (PDF 188k)
Anne Byers, Community Information Technology Manager

Mr. Beach moved to approve the technical reviews of the Community Technology Fund grant applications. Mr. Henderson seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Weir-Yes, Schafer-Yes, Henderson-Yes, and Beach-Yes.The motion was carried by unanimous vote.

Mr. Weir requested that thank you letters be sent to the reviewers. Staff will follow-up.

INCIDENT REPORTING (PDF 208k)
Steve Schafer, Chief Information Officer

The Incident Reporting Procedure had previously been recommended by the panel for the NITC’s approval. Mr. Schafer withdrew the document in order to incorporate information and forms utilized by the federal government.

Mr. Henderson moved to approve the revised Incident Reporting Procedures for the 30-day comment period. Mr. Beach seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Henderson-Yes, Beach-Yes, Weir-Yes and Schafer-Yes. The motion was carried by unanimous vote.

Mr. Weir commended Mr. Schafer for his work and efforts.

STATEWIDE TECHNOLOGY PLAN – SECTION 3 (PDF 494k)

Mr. Schafer reviewed proposed changes to Section 3-Technical Infrastructure. Members made the following comments/suggestions:

• Utilize graphics, pictures, charts, etc.
• Include a statewide data dictionary
• Explore the possibility of a statewide data warehouse
• Development of a business plan is needed.
• Focus on vision in first part of paragraph.

Section 3 will be discussed further at the May meeting.

The State Government Council is developing standards for state government that will be presented to the Technical Panel at a later date.

MEMBERSHIP

Assistive Technology Alternate. Mr. Schafer withdrew his nomination. At last month’s meeting, Ms. Horn nominated Lance Perez as the Assistive Technology alternate.

Alternative for CIO. No nomination was made.

K-12 Representative and Alternate. The Education Council tasked the Educational Service Unit’s Network Operations Committee to make the recommendations for Technical Panel members. They are Kurt Langer, Network Specialist for ESU 18 and Ron Cone, Systems Engineer for ESU 10, as his alternate.

Mr. Schafer moved to approve the recommendations of Lance Perez, Assistive Technology Alternate, Kurt Langer, as the K-12 member and Ron Cone, as the K-12 alternate. Mr. Henderson seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Schafer-Yes, Weir-Yes, Beach-Yes and Henderson-Yes. The motion was carried by unanimous vote.

UPDATES

Wireless, Brenda Decker. Ms. Decker was not available to report. Mr. Becker stated that the wireless bill, LB1211, is on Final Reading and that several amendments have been adopted.

NETCOM, Brenda Decker. Ms. Decker was not available to report. Mr. Schafer stated that the responses for the pilot project were due on April 15th. Mr. Weir stated that Kearney is also very interested in being a pilot location.

Security, Steve Schafer. The committee has worked on incident reporting procedures. There is interest in discussing contingency procedures.

Accessibility, Christy Horn. Ms. Horn was not available to report. Mr. Weir commented that Kearney has an extensive program for deaf children. A facility has been built for the program. They are very anxious to get high-speed network services.

Nebraska Network Group, Steve Schafer. The work group has had several meetings. An interim report for the NITC is being drafted. Mr. Weir commented that there is concern by some of the members about timing with the biennial budget and e-rate deadlines.

OTHER BUSINESS

There was no other business.

NEXT MEETING DATE AND ADJOURNMENT

Mr. Beach moved to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Henderson seconded the motion. All were in favor. Motion was carried by voice vote. The meeting was adjourned at 10:50 a.m.

Meeting minutes were taken by Lori Lopez Urdiales and reviewed by Rick Becker of the Office of the CIO/NITC.

Meeting Minutes