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TECHNICAL PANEL
NEBRASKA INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY COMMISSION
Tuesday, June 12, 2007, 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Varner Hall - Board Room
3835 Holdrege St., Lincoln, Nebraska
APPROVED MINUTES

MEMBERS PRESENT:

Brenda Decker, CIO, State of Nebraska
Christy Horn, Compliance Officer, University of Nebraska
Kirk Langer, Technology Director, Lincoln Public Schools
Walter Weir, CIO, University of Nebraska
Mike Winkle, Assistant GM, Nebraska Educational Telecommunications

ROLL CALL, MEETING NOTICE & OPEN MEETINGS ACT INFORMATION

Mr. Weir called the meeting to order at 9:10 a.m. Roll call was taken.  There was a quorum present.  The meeting notice was posted to the NITC Website and the Nebraska Public Meeting Calendar on May 2,  2007.  The meeting agenda posted to the NITC Website on June 8, 2007.

PUBLIC COMMENT

There was no public comment.

APPROVAL OF APRIL 10, 2007 MINUTES*

Ms. Decker move to approve the APRIL 10, 2007 minutes as presented.  Mr. Langer seconded.  Roll call vote:  Decker-Yes, Horn-Abstain, Langer-Yes, Weir-Yes, and Winkle-Abstain.  Results: Yes-3, No-0, Abstain-2.  Motion carried.

PROJECT REVIEWS

Ongoing Reviews - Retirement Systems - Jerry Brown

  • Proposal opening was April 18th at 2:00 p.m.  The bids ranged from approximately $6 million to $9.7 million
  • The Letter of Intent to Award to Saber Software Inc. was posted to the Purchasing website on April 26, 2007.   The Saber application is a browser based system, utilizing JAVA programming language and SQL database.
  • The total cost, which includes the State applied costs, for each fiscal year was included in the appropriations bill and approved as requested.  The totals are:

 

    • FY07-08       $4,833,395
    • FY08-09       $2,036,295
    • FY09-10       $   321,693           
    •   TOTAL        $7,191,383
  • Purchasing has reviewed and responded to all of the necessary license agreements, and the requested Alternative Terms and Conditions and Assumptions.  This was sent to Saber on June 7, 2007 for their first review.  The project is anticipating being able to begin the project by July 2, 2007.
  • The project has coordinated with the OCIO and IBM to acquire a number of software items released from other agencies that will be re-instated, for a Project software savings of approximately $225,000.  Also, all appropriate software has been included in the Enterprise License Agreement, which will provide additional savings.
  • The Project Steering Committee members have been identified, except for someone from the NPER Board who will be determined soon.
  • The Independent Verification & Validation (Quality Assurance) function will be provided through the Office of the CIO.  They are working with the UNL Office of the CIO to identify someone that could provide this service to the project.


Government Technology Collaboration Fund - GIS - Nebraska Geospatial Data Sharing and Web Services Network

Steve Henderson provided a brief history. Since the early 90’s, creation and management of geospatial data has been the committee's challenge.  The committee is submitting a proposal for a collaborative statewide geospatial information sharing network.  Some of the justification for the request included:

  • More and more agencies using GIS
  • Technology is advancing
  • Organizational dynamics is more mature and there is more collaboration and cooperation
  • Structure of the OCIO blends policy and operational functions
  • GIS is a classic example of a shared service

In addition to the Government Technology Fund, the GIS Steering Committee is also seeking funding from the State Records Board.  GIS committee members will also seek funding from their agencies.

Panel members were given an opportunity to ask questions.  The project proposal will go to the State Government Council for review.  There is no mandate for agencies to be part of the enterprise effort.  If funded, it was recommended that the committee provide the Technical Panel with updates. 

Ms. Horn moved that the Technical Panel, having reviewed the GIS Steering Committee GTCF grant application entitled Nebraska Geospatial Data Sharing and Web Services Network project and based on the technical information provided, finds that:

  • The project is technically feasible.
  • The proposed technology is appropriate for the project.
  • The technical elements can be accomplished within the proposed time frame and budget.

Mr. Winkle seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Decker-Abstain, Horn-Yes, Langer-Yes, Weir-Yes, and Winkle-Yes. Results: Yes-4, No-0, and Abstain-1. The motion was carried.

STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES-RECOMMENDATION TO THE NITC*
Remote Administration of Internal Devices Standard | Comments Received

Steve Hartman, Security Officer, Office of the CIO, State of Nebraska

One comment was received during the public comment period.  This standard is developed primarily for internal administrators.

Ms. Horn moved to recommend approval of the "Remote Administration of Internal Devices Standard" to NITC with the addition of a definition section for “concept of least privilege.” Ms. Decker seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Decker-Yes, Horn-Yes, Langer-Yes, Weir-Yes, and Winkle-Yes. Results: Yes-5 and No-0. The motion was carried.

REGULAR INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND WORK GROUP UPDATES (as needed)

Accessibility of Information Technology Work Group, Christy Horn.  Plans are to reconvene the work group to discuss the work groups scope and have a recommendation for the September meeting.
 
Learning Management System Standards Work Group, Kirk Langer.  The work group held their first meeting on May 30, 2007.  Meetings notes were distributed to the panel members.  It was stressed that the responsibility of the work group was to research information related to course management and content management systems and then to discuss, develop, and recommend to the NITC Technical Panel a standard or standards, or guidelines guiding the future growth of, and investment into, learning management systems across the State, especially if using Network Nebraska or investing state funds.  The group members come from diverse perspectives and backgrounds.  Two sub-groups were organized:  Course Management Task Group and a Content Management Task Group.  Mr. Langer is encouraging the groups to use a more inductive approach – what are the key standards/guidelines needed for the state, and have each group analyze what works for their system and budget. 

Security Architecture Work Group. Steve Hartman.  The work group has been developing a data security standard, password standard and an information security standard that will brought to the Technical Panel within the next 1-2 months.

OTHER BUSINESS

There was no other business

NEXT MEETING DATE ADJOURNMENT

The next meeting of the NITC Technical Panel will be held on July 10, 2007, 9:00 a.m. at Varner Hall, 3835 Holdrege in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Mr. Weir moved to adjourn.  Ms. Horn seconded.  All were in favor.  Motion carried.

The meeting was adjourned at 10:25 a.m.

The meeting minutes were taken by Lori Lopez Urdiales and reviewed by Rick Becker, of the Office of the CIO.

Technical Panel Minutes