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COMMUNITY COUNCIL

NEBRASKA INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY COMMISSION
November 17, 1998
Executive Building, Lower Level Conference Room
521 South 14th Street, Lincoln, Nebraska

MINUTES

MEMBERS PRESENT

Donna Hammack, Good Samaritan Foundation

Tim Hammelman, AIM Institute

Lance Hedquist, League of Municipalities

Jim Lowe, Midwest Microsystems

Tim Lowenstein, NACO

Russ Pankonin, Wauneta Breeze

Jeanne Saathoff, Nebraska Library Association

Craig Schroeder, Nebr. Rural Development

Gary Warren, Hamilton Telecommunications

Tyler French, Inacom

Michael Nolan, City of Norfolk

Gerry Kluch, Kaystar Seed

Chris Hoy, Office of the CIO/NITC

MEMBERS ABSENT

Jim Beatty, NCS International

Anne Boyle, Public Service Commission

Gary Kiel, PKS System

Judi Morgan, Indian Affairs

OTHERS PRESENT

Michael Winkle, NITC Executive Director

Lori Lopez Urdiales, Office of the CIO/NITC

Tom Rolfes, Office of the CIO/NITC

Leslie Perry, Community

Anne Byers, University of Nebraska

CALL TO ORDER AND MINUTES

The meeting was called to order at 1:30 p.m. by the Chair, Chris Hoy.

LEADERSHIP TRANSITION

Chris will be retiring December 2nd. Mr. Winkle discussed with the group leadership transition options and shared with the group that it would be in the best interest of the group to have leadership come from within the council rather than a staff member. Information was provided to the members about the leadership structure of the Education and Government Councils.

It was group consensus to have co-chairs for the council. Nominations were solicited. Donna Hammack and Lance Hedquist were nominated. Mr. Kluch moved and it was seconded by Mr. Schroeder to close the nominations. All were in favor. Motion was carried. Discussion followed regarding alternates to the council. Ms. Saathoff moved and it was seconded by Mr. Kluch that each council member assign an alternate and bring this information to the next meeting. All were in favor. Motion was carried.

JOINT PROPOSAL FROM THE COMMUNITY & EDUCATION COUNCILS REGARDING CHANGES IN THE LAW GOVERNING PUBLIC ACCESS TO ESU FACILITIES

This proposed change deals with internet service. The question of including "non-profit organizations", in addition to the "nonpublic school systems", in the new proposed language was brought to the table. After discussion it was decided that it would be best to leave the language as is so it coincides with the rest of the language in the bill. Ms. Hammack moved and it was seconded by Ms. Saathoff to approve the language as written to the NITC. All were in favor. Motion was carried. Mr. Schroeder asked if the council should solicit the help of a senator to help introduce it to the floor in addition to having the NITC support. Mr. Winkle felt that it would be appropriate and beneficial to do so.

CROSS INTRODUCTIONS OF ALL COMMUNITY COUNCIL MEMBERS

There was not enough time in the meeting to conduct this agenda item so it will be carried forward to the next meeting.

REVIEW OF COUNCIL'S MISSIONS, GOALS AND OTHER MATTERS OF IMPORTANCE TO COUNCIL MEMBERS

Throughout the meeting several issues and matters were presented by the council members for further discussion. These items included the following:

  1. Communications - Getting information out to all sectors of the public regarding collaboration funds must improve
  2. Community feedback - need to explore avenues of how to get this done
  3. Connectivity - needed for community purposes as well as educational
  4. Connectivity - affordable, comparable services
  5. Public Forums - would like to have more of these across the state for focus groups
  6. Public Forums - conduct "application" information focus group so citizens are informed
  7. Assessing community needs - is a continual process to explore points of strength, weakness and next steps
  8. Public/private partnerships - need to explore and utilize
  9. Network of contacts - explore, develop and target
  10. Sector needs - possibly have this as an agenda item at every meeting. Get input from external sources within each sector
  11. Council sector representation - must be conscientious, do we need to include other sectors
  12. Information Clearinghouse - need to have this in place for citizens
  13. Proposal Evaluation Process - members would like to be involved in the evaluation review process of the other councils for next funding cycle

OTHER

Survey: Tyler French distributed copies of a survey he developed for council members' input and suggestion. The survey would be used to gather information about users and needs. Mike Nolan will speak with John Allen, University of Nebraska, about working with the Community Council, in conjunction with the Education council, to conduct the survey. Mr. Nolan will report back to the group.

Tri-Council Subcommittee: At the November NITC meeting, it was voted by the Commissioners to form a tri-council subcommittee to facilitate communication among the councils and to make recommendations for the Statewide Infrastructure and Technology Plan. Four representatives from each of the councils would serve on the committee and meet monthly. Volunteers were solicited to serve on the committee. Representatives to serve on the Tri-Council Subcommittee are Donna Hammack, Craig Schroeder, Mike Nolan and Tyler French. It was suggested that meetings be held in the evenings or weekends if at all possible. Mr. Winkle will share this request with the other members involved.

Next meeting date will be in January in Kearney. Chris will poll the members as to a meeting date.

Meeting was adjourned at 4:30 p.m.

Minutes taken by Lori Lopez Urdiales, and reviewed by Chris Hoy, Office of the Chief Information Officer/NITC.

Meeting Minutes

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