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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023/05/18 - ADMIN - Agenda Packets - Community Technology Advisory Commission - Regular Community technology advisory commission m eeting May 18, 2023 6 p.m. If you need special accommodations or have questions about the meeting, c ontact Jacque Smith at jsmith@stlouisparkmn.gov or 952.924.2632, or the administration department at 952.924.2525. Community technology advisory commission The St. Louis Park Community Technology Advisory Commission is meeting in person in the Westwood Room on the third floor of St. Louis Park City Hall, 5005 Minnetonka Blvd. Members of the public may attend the meeting in person. Agenda 1. Call to order – roll call 2. Approval of minutes – Jan. 19, 2023 3. Presentation: race, equity and inclusion 4. Staff updates • Hennepin County Broadband Grant • Boards and commissions study • US Internet 2023 activity • Climate equity map 5. Discussion 6. Updates from commission members 7. Next meeting s • July 20 o Vote for new chair, vice chair (following council appointments in May) • Sept. 21 • Nov. 16 8. Adjournment Community technology advisory commission m eeting January 19, 2023 6 p.m. Minutes Community technology advisory commission Members present: Rudyard Dyer, Drew Keogh, Michael Siegler, Konnor Slaats Members absent: Kelly Heitz, Cindy Hoffman, Rolf Peterson Staff present: Jacque Smith Guests: None 1. Call to order – roll call Meeting called to order at 6:04 p.m. Kelly Heitz, Cindy Hoffman, Rolf Peterson absent. 2. Approval of minutes – Sept. 15, 2023 Dyer moved, Siegler seconded, all approved the minutes as written. 3. Staff updates Smith reported that John McHugh, city employee who attended CTAC meetings, retired Jan. 13. Smith handed out Hennepin County broadband expansion grant information to attendees. She recapped that she had sent out to members the framework in October for feedback; the grant information was issued in November. Smith pointed out the categories and sai d the city wasn’t interested in the broadband deployment portion. She suggested the broadband adoption and community engagement plan was the place to focus the application. She suggested funding for a survey about what access people have, awareness of Affo rdable Connectivity Program, etc. and that CTAC could help with developing questions. Smith explained that this grant could help with providing services at the Lenox Community Center or other locations, based on the feedback from the survey. Commission mem bers agreed this approach made sense. Siegler said these two bullets were the missing pieces in the discussions commission members have had over the past year or so. He thought this was exactly what we should be doing. Smith said the grant application is due Jan. 31 and she will send to Siegle r for review; a smaller group could review and provide feedback. She also suggested a subcommittee that could help with survey questions, etc. if the grant is received. Keogh also expressed support for education for seniors and others in how to guard against online scams and use other technologies. Siegler suggested adding something in the grant for stipends or staffing rather than volunteers. Smith agreed but thought it might be important to get the data first, then apply for other grants if it seems staffing is needed. Slaats pointed out the minimum grant request is $25,000. Smith provided an update on the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill and the Cybersecurity Improvement Act that was part of that bill. She shared that members of the LOGIS consortium are being represented by the League of Minnesota Cities CIO on the state task force. Siegler asked about cybersecurity at the city. Smith shared some initiatives staff is considering. Siegler offered his services as he has experience running managed services. Hoffman joined the meeting around 6:15 p.m. Community technology advisory commission meeting January 19, 2023 Smith provided an update on US Internet that progress in 2022 was slower than expected. Deployment is still planned to be completed citywide in the next two years. Hoffman asked if multidwelling units could decline having US Internet; Smith confirmed that HOAs or management does have to approve. Smith mentioned some new apartments are including high speed internet; Siegler reminded commission members there is a building ordinance that requires new multifamily buildings to have ability to offer high -speed internet. Smith gave a recap of the city’s transition of its website and emails to stlouisparkmn.gov. External switchover went smoothly in December. IT is finishing up the internal transition required for this switch. 4. Discussion – 2023 work plan Smith asked the group what they would like to work on in 2023. She said the Hennepin County grant is a good one for the list. Siegler said his perspective is where can we help, either staff or city council. He’d like to figure out how to ask that question, or have visibility on what’s coming up soon. Smith expressed that commission member feedback on the Hennepin County grant is and will be very helpful. Slaats asked if work has been completed with the outside consultant who is working with boards and commissions. Smith said she didn’t have an update as this process was still in its beginning phases. Siegler asked if Smith was aware of any big initiatives. She shared that she is hiring a communications manager to backfill her previous position which will free up her time. She also discussed an upcoming video production coordinator position. Keogh brought up how to inform residents ahead of time of events, or to group events about what might be coming up for the weekend. Smith asked how Keogh might suggest getting the information out differently than what is happening now. Keogh suggested an app. Smith reminde d the commission members of the mystlouispark app which links to the city website, and also GovDelivery which allows sign up for close to 100 topics to receive emails and for some, texts. Slaats said he likes the Park Perspective for infor mation. Smith said that’s why the city continues to offer a variety of ways to communicate. Dyer said more information about how to get the app would be helpful. Siegler suggested adding info about the app in snow emergency notifications. Siegler thought adding some 5. Updates from commission members None. 6. Adjournment - Siegler moved, Slaats seconded a motion to adjourn. All voted in favor. Meeting adjourned 6:36 p.m. Next meeting is March 16, 2023. ______________________________________ ______________________________________ Jacque Smith, liaison Mike Siegler, chair