Nebraska Information Technology Commission: Meeting Minutes

TECHNICAL PANEL

Nebraska Information Technology Commission
Tuesday, December 11, 2001, 9:00 a.m.
Varner Hall, Board Room
3835 Holdrege Street, Lincoln, Nebraska

APPROVED MINUTES

MEMBER PRESENT:

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

OTHERS PRESENT:

Rick Golden, University of Nebraska
Sid McCartney, State of Nebraska, Division of Communications
Dennis Linster, Chief Information Officer, Wayne State College
Galin Karpisek, Cisco Systems
Kathy Tenopir, State of Nebraska, Legislative Fiscal Office
Mirta Hansen, FUTUREKIDS
Dick Palazzolo, Public Service Commission
Bob Huber, NETC
Ron Woener, Department of Roads
Tom Rolfes, Rick Becker, and Lori Lopez Urdiales, Office of the CIO/NITC

CALL TO ORDER, ROLL CALL, MEETING NOTICE

The Chair, Walter Weir, called the meeting to order at 9:10 a.m. Three members were present at the time of roll call. A quorum existed to conduct official business. The meeting notice was posted to the NITC and Nebraska Public Meeting Calendar Web sites on November 8, 2001. The meeting agenda was posted to the NITC Web site on December 4, 2001.

APPROVAL OF THE OCTOBER 11, 2001 MINUTES

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

STATE ENTERPRISE ARCHITECTURE, STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES - INCIDENT REPORTING
Steve Schafer, Chief Information Officer, State of Nebraska

The Incident Reporting Guidelines (PDF 140k) have been out for the 30-day comment period. The comments (PDF 69k) received recommended a clarification that the guidelines are intended for incidences with malicious intent and that the appropriate authority should handle punitive actions. Mr. Schafer would like State Government Council to formally review and take a position on the document. The Council will be meeting tomorrow. Approval and adoption of the Incident Reporting Guidelines was tabled until next month’s meeting.

Ms. Horn arrived at 9:13 a.m.

VIDEO AND AUDIO STANDARDS FOR DISTANCE EDUCATION (PDF 102k)
Mike Beach, Nebraska Educational Telecommunications Commission

Mr. Beach began by thanking persons who volunteered to assist with the testing. A revised document that included Education Council recommendation was distributed to the Technical Panel members. The Work Group was commissioned to study and make recommendations on synchronous distance learning video and audio standards. Mr. Beach proceeded to provide a summary of the testing procedures, charts and results of the report. The Work Group had discussed migration, gateways and current contracts. It was recommended that existing consortia upgrade to the standard when their contracts are renewed. The Work Group addressed next steps and felt there that needed to be a Work Group to address the network environment – the middle ground between transport and applications.

The Work Group unanimously voted on the following: “It is the recommendation of the standard work group that Nebraska adopt a dual standard. For higher data rate application intending to use full-motion video MPEG 2 should be adopted. For those applications that do not have a need for full motion, H.263 with G.722 audio should be adopted.” The Education Council made the following recommendation on November 30th: “The Education Council recommends that any contract renewal or expenditure of new state funds for interactive distance learning services shall comply with the Technical Panel standards of H.263 video/G.722 audio or MPEG2.”

Ms. Horn left at 10:30. Ms. Decker arrived at 11:00 a.m.

Mr. Beach moved to endorse the video standards with the caveat to include a statement regarding how often standards are to be reviewed and to include a statement from Education Council that if state funds are being requested that these standards also be adopted. Ms. Decker seconded the motion. After discussion on the motion, Mr. Beach withdrew the motion. Staff will develop wording of the motion for the January meeting.

NEBRASKA DIGITAL NETWORK WORKGROUP (PDF 124k)
Steve Schafer, Chief Information Officer, State of Nebraska

At the October 31st NITC meeting, the Commission passed a resolution to explore the concept of a Nebraska Education Network. The group preparing the report to the NITC has proposed a work group be formed to explore the issue. Proposed membership in the work group is as follows:

Education: Two members each from K-12 and Higher Education, as determined by the NITC Education Council;
Communities: One member each from telehealth, public libraries, and local government, as determined by the NITC Community Council;
State Government: The Chief Information Officer; and
Technical Panel: One member each from Nebraska Educational Telecommunications, University of Nebraska Computing Services Network, DAS Division of Communications, and DAS Information Management Services, as determined by the NITC Technical Panel.

The Technical Panel discussed the following members: Rick Golden (Walter Weir, alternate) for the University of Nebraska Computing Services Network and Mike Beach (Bob Huber, alternate) for NET. The Division of Communications and IMServices will provide recommendations for representatives at the January meeting.

UPDATES:

Wireless, Brenda Decker. The bids have been received. Questions and oral presentations will begin today with Group 1 and Group 2 will occur next week. Recommendations to the legislature are due January 14th. The Project is on track.

NETCOM, Brenda Decker. Lieutenant Governor Dave Heineman, Steve Schafer, Brenda Decker and others met with representatives of the telecommunications industry to discuss issues, concerns and receive input regarding NETCOM. Representatives from K12 and the Public Service Commission were also present. In January, the Workgroup will decide on how to proceed.

Security, Steve Schafer. Most of the report was provided earlier in the meeting. For discussion at a future meeting, Mr. Schafer asked the members to consider if the policies should remain broad. IMServices has hired a consultant to review security in state government. The consultant will provide a recommendation to the State Government Council. Mr. Weir distributed info on bio-terrorism and informed the panel that the University of Nebraska has organized a committee. For future discussion, Mr. Weir asked the members to consider whether the NITC should host a web site on terrorism with information links.

Accessibility. Ms. Horn was not available for a report. Mr. Schafer is working with Mark Shultz regarding training.

E-government, Steve Schafer. The State Government Council has been exploring forms automation. Mr. Schafer will be attending the NASCIO regional meeting on E-government Architecture.

ELECTION – 2002 TECHNICAL PANEL CHAIR:

Mr. Schafer moved that Walter Weir serve as chair of the Technical Panel for 2002. Ms. Decker seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Beach-Yes, Decker-Yes, Schafer-Yes, and Weir-Abstained. The motion was carried by majority vote.

With no further business, Mr. Weir adjourned the meeting at 11:55 a.m.

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

Meeting Minutes