HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021/11/18 - ADMIN - Minutes - Community Technology Advisory Commission - Regular Community technology advisory commission meeting
November 18, 2021
6 p.m.
Minutes
Community technology advisory commission
Members present: Abe Levine, Michael Siegler, Bruce Browning, Konnor Slaats
Members absent: Cindy Hoffman, Rolf Peterson, Kelly Heitz
Staff present: Clint Pires, Jacque Smith
Guests: None
1. Call to order – roll call
Meeting called to order at 5:58 p.m.
2. Approval of minutes – Oct. 7, 2021
Browning moved, Siegler seconded, all approved the minutes as written.
3. Smart cities initiative committee check ins
a. Connected communities
Siegler reported they are meeting Friday, Nov. 19, with social services manager at STEP
regarding building awareness about emergency broadband services. Browning said they are
receptive and want to hear. Pires said they would have a good sense of who is in need. Pires
also reminded the commission of the program that is a continuation of the emergency
broadband program. Browning said he reached Nicole Morris at the University of Minnesota
who is doing a study on crosswalk safety; she had been a guest on Almanac. She said she
would come and talk to the group about the topic in spring 2022. Siegler suggested putting
it on a list of future agenda topics.
b. Environment
Peterson is absent; nothing to report.
c. GIS-enabled applications
I. Housing
Pires showed the current housing dashboard at
https://stlouispark.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=2d159ec28
b1a4f2cb5618fcc73df0d0e and provided some explanation of the data presented on
the dashboard. Levine asked who the audience is for the dashboard; Pires said it’s a
combination of external and internal.
II. Police department use of force
Levine said there wasn’t much to report. Meeting with the police advisory
commission was in early October; everyone had reviewed other cities’ use of force
websites. They agreed they liked Evanston, IL; Lt. Garland was going to contact them
to have a meeting but to date has not been able to make arrangements. Levine
thinks this effort should be led by the PAC and not CTAC as they know what should
be included for data. Slaats agreed with this approach. Pires said it’s reasonable to
look to business side to determine business needs. Levine asked if staff would
contact Lt. Garland for a meeting with Levine and Slaats on further direction. Smith
will contact.
Community technology advisory commission meeting
November 18, 2021
III. Race equity
Pires showed a draft of information that could be included on the dashboard.
Categories include community engagement, workforce, livability and Just Deeds.
Draft shows data sets that will help show progress in each area. There are several
next steps, including gathering data, reconnecting with CTAC and hosting a meeting
between CTAC and the human rights commission.
4. US Internet update
Pires reported he met with US Internet recently and they intend to expand significantly in St.
Louis Park in 2022. They have purchased a property on Gorham Avenue to serve as a central
office. Pires arranged for USI to meet with city manager and with city council and will invite
them to CTAC.
Siegler said this emphasizes that it’s about making sure people can take advantage of existing
and planned programs through volunteers and marketing. Pires agreed, and said for example
the partnership with STEP will help. Computer literacy is also important and Pires said we should
try to get dollars and support for digital literacy. He suggested the commission consider taking a
role in that. Siegler said the current infrastructure bill is a historic opportunity to put as much
thought into technology infrastructure as physical structure. Pires asked that everyone provide
input as he puts together proposal. He also mentioned the concept that was suggested as a
media center with cable funding. Siegler was emphatic that the plan should be as bold as those
for Connect the Park and environmental issues, for example. He suggested that the changes to
the world are permanent, and it will be important to have technology as an attractive reason for
people to choose to live in St. Louis Park.
5. Officer elections
Motion by Browning to nominate Mike Siegler as chair and Kelly Heitz as vice chair for 2022;
seconded by Levine. All voted in favor. Motion carried. Browning thanked Levine for his service
the past two years and everything he’s done.
6. 2022 meeting date options
The group agreed to go with the six dates and add others as needed. Dates will be Jan. 20,
March 17, May 19, July 21, Sept. 15, Nov. 17.
7. Adjournment: Siegler moved, Browning seconded. Meeting adjourned 7:04 p.m.
______________________________________ ______________________________________
Jacque Smith, liaison Abe Levine, chair member