HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025/07/23 - ADMIN - Agenda Packets - Community Technology Advisory Commission - Regular Community technology advisory commission meeting
July 23, 2025
6 p.m.
If you need special accommodations or have questions about the meeting, contact 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
community room on the first 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
• June 25, 2025
3. Work session
• Each member share 1-3 ideas for potential projects or initiatives related to the city’s
digital services and technology.
• Members discuss and select which ideas to suggest to council
4. Updates on workplan items
5. Next scheduled meeting:
• Thursday, Sept. 25, 6 p.m.
• Discuss meeting Aug. 27
6. Communications and announcements
7. Adjournment
Community technology advisory commission meeting
June 25, 2025
6 p.m.
Community technology advisory commission
Minutes
Members present: Rudyard Dyer, Shane Leverenz, Rolf Peterson, Kayla Stautz,
Benjamin Straus
Members absent: Nat Johnson, Konnor Slaats
Staff liaison: Jacque Smith, communications and technology director
1. Call to order – roll call
Meeting was called to order at 6:01 p.m. with Dyer, Leverenz, Peterson and Stautz in
attendance. Peterson volunteered to serve as chair in absence of a chair or vice chair.
2. Welcome new members
Peterson and Dyer and new members Shane Leverenz and Kayla Stautz traded
introductions. Ben Straus later joined and introduced himself.
3. Chair/vice chair positions
A nominated slate of Konnor Slaats for chair and Rudyard Dyer for vice chair was
approved 4-0 by commission members in attendance.
4. Approval of minutes – May 21, 2025
Dyer was unclear about the item under staff updates that stated Straus would host a
meeting at his apartment complex. Peterson clarified that referred to a Vision 4.0
meeting. Smith said she’d edit the minutes to make that clear. Dyer moved, Stautz
seconded approval with that change included. Motion was approved 4-0 by members in
attendance.
5. Work session
Members discussed the commission’s evolution from the Telecommunications Advisory
Commission that was tightly focused on the city’s cable franchise, to the Community
Technology Advisory Commission that has much broader potential. They reviewed past
work focusing on smart cities, including committees that focused on geographic
information systems (GIS), connected community and sustainability.
Members discussed ideas for new work such as using AI responsibly and helping boost
resident awareness and engagement with city technology tools such as the website and
the mystlouispark app, to enhance service delivery and accessibility.
Smith shared that generative AI guidelines are in place for city staff, based on state of
Minnesota and League of Minnesota policies. She showed navigation for the mystlouis
park app and shared how it is used to report and resolve issues.
Other discussion was around free city WiFi and affordable internet service for residents
Smith shared the website page showing locations of city-hosted WiFi access points
around the city. She also noted the equipment was upgraded last year, and additional
access points added at The Rec Center, ROC and Aquatic Park to accommodate larger
crowds who gather there.
Leverenz reported that USI offers a reduced-cost internet plan. Dyer noted that Xfinity
continues to offer an Internet Essentials plan despite the sunsetting of the Affordable
Connectivity Program.
Members agreed on next steps:
• Each member should develop 1-3 ideas for potential projects or initiatives
related to the city’s digital services and technology.
• Bring those ideas to the July 23 CTAC meeting. They’ll be posted and members
will vote on which proposed ideas to pursue.
Smith reminded commission members to submit the paperwork that was sent to them,
or will be sent, by Pat Coleman, community engagement coordinator.
6. Next meeting: July 23, 2025
7. Adjournment
Dyer moved, Straus seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting, all voted in favor.
Meeting ended at 6:58 p.m.
These minutes were created with the assistance of a generative AI transcript service, then
edited, reviewed and finalized by a human.
1
Advisory communication to council
City Council has provided direction that the primary purpose of advisory boards and commissions is to assist/advise city council in the policy decision-making process on behalf of the public. Boards and commissions may also be asked to provide community advice and feedback in a systematic manner.
Please use this form to submit a board or commission-related topic for city council consideration. Note that
use of this advisory communication to council requires a majority vote of a city board or commission prior to
submission.
Decisions on whether to take up an issue will be made by council.
Use the sections below as a guide and omit sections that may be extraneous.
Date:
To:
From:
Subject:
Strategic priority (if applicable):
Approved work plan item? ☐Yes
☐No
Council request: ☐ Review and comment or reply
☐Review and decide (e.g., new work plan item)
☐Informational only – no response needed
Action requested:
What is the commission asking Council to do? For non-work plan items, no action will be taken unless Council
chooses to provide direction or otherwise discuss at a future meeting. If requesting a new work plan item, make
explicit.
1
Background:
Explain the exact circumstances of the situation and provide general information about the topic/issue.
Assessment:
Explanation of the Commission's stance on a particular topic/issue, how it supports existing strategic priorities
and how it advances the purpose of boards and commissions. Include information about whether cross-
collaboration with other boards or commissions is recommended. If action from the council is requested,
provide the justification.
Recommendation:
Recommendations should be included for “review and decide” initiatives. Include clear explanation of
recommendation(s). This section can include a bulleted list of each individual recommendation, etc. Staff will
provide their recommendations on the staff report.
Board and Commission
Annual work plan
Presented to council: February 18, 2025
Approved by council:
1
2025 work plan │ Communications and Technology Commission
1
Initiative name: Support citywide Vision 4.0 process
Initiative type:
☒ Staff support (review project,
policy or program and provide
feedback)
☐ Independent research project
☐ Gather community feedback
☐ Lead community event
Initiative origin:
☐ Applicant-initiated
☒ Staff-initiated
☐ Commission-initiated
☐ Council-initiated
Legally required (e.g. response to
Legislative changes or Judicial decisions)?
☐ Yes
☒ No
Commissioner lead(s) name(s):
None, all will be involved.
If joint commission initiative, list other board or commission:
Is this an established work group?
☐ Yes
☒ No
Initiative description: Support the citywide Vision 4.0 process by participating directly and/or encouraging others to participate, and by
sharing information with other community members about the process.
Strategic Priority: ☐ 1 ☐ 2 ☐ 3 ☐ 4 ☒ 5 ☐ N/A
Deliverable: ☐ Research report ☐ Summary of community input ☒ Other ☐ N/A
Target completion date: 3Q 2025
This section to be completed by staff:
Council request (if applicable): ☐ Review and comment or reply ☐ Review and decide ☒ Informational only – no response needed
Budget required: None
Staff support required: Communication from staff liaison about opportunities with Vision 4.0
Liaison comments: Plan to keep the commission informed about opportunities to assist with the citywide Vision 4.0 process.
Board and Commission
Annual work plan
2
2
Initiative name: Participate in city website redesign review process
Initiative type:
☒ Staff support (review project,
policy or program and provide
feedback)
☐ Independent research project
☐ Gather community feedback
☐ Lead community event
Initiative origin:
☐ Applicant-initiated
☒ Staff-initiated
☐ Commission-initiated
☐ Council-initiated
Legally required (e.g. response to
Legislative changes or Judicial decisions)?
☐ Yes
☒ No
Commissioner lead(s) name(s):
None, all members or a small group will be involved.
If joint commission initiative, list other board or commission:
Is this an established work group?
☐ Yes
☒ No
Initiative description: While the exact process for the redesign has yet to be determined, we plan to draw on the expertise of the CTAC by
involving members, or a small group of members, in potential user group testing or other review of a draft redesign of the city website.
Strategic Priority: ☒ 1 ☐ 2 ☐ 3 ☐ 4 ☒ 5 ☐ N/A
Deliverable: ☐ Research report ☐ Summary of community input ☒ Other ☐ N/A
Target completion date: 3Q 2025
This section to be completed by staff:
Council request (if applicable): ☐ Review and comment or reply ☐ Review and decide ☒ Informational only – no response needed
Budget required: None
Staff support required: Staff liaison
Liaison comments: The primary goals of the redesign are to ensure compliance with upcoming ADA requirements, ensure mobile
accessibility and improve search function. CTAC will be asked to focus on these items in its review.
Board and Commission
Annual work plan
3
3
Initiative name: Stay informed about pending legislation affecting cable and technology
Initiative type:
☒ Staff support (review project,
policy or program and provide
feedback)
☐ Independent research project
☐ Gather community feedback
☐ Lead community event
Initiative origin:
☐ Applicant-initiated
☒ Staff-initiated
☐ Commission-initiated
☐ Council-initiated
Legally required (e.g. response to
Legislative changes or Judicial decisions)?
☐ Yes
☒ No
Commissioner lead(s) name(s):
None, all will be involved
If joint commission initiative, list other board or commission:
Is this an established work group?
☐ Yes
☒ No
Initiative description: CTAC is asked to stay informed about pending legislation that may affect the city’s cable franchise, or other
technologies vital to the community such as broadband.
Strategic Priority: ☐ 1 ☐ 2 ☐ 3 ☐ 4 ☒ 5 ☐ N/A
Deliverable: ☐ Research report ☒ Summary of community input ☐ Other ☒ N/A
Target completion date: Ongoing
This section to be completed by staff:
Council request (if applicable): ☐ Review and comment or reply ☐ Review and decide ☒ Informational only – no response needed
Budget required: None
Staff support required: Information and updates from staff liaison
Liaison comments: Staff liaison will stay informed of pending legislation through contact with state and national advocacy organizations,
as well as through the city’s legislative staff and lobbyists. Information affecting cable and technology will be shared with CTAC members.
Board and Commission
Annual work plan
4
4
Initiative name:
Initiative type:
☐ Staff support (review project,
policy or program and provide
feedback)
☐ Independent research project
☐ Gather community feedback
☐ Lead community event
Initiative origin:
☐ Applicant-initiated
☐ Staff-initiated
☐ Commission-initiated
☐ Council-initiated
Legally required (e.g. response to
Legislative changes or Judicial decisions)?
☐ Yes
☐ No
Commissioner lead(s) name(s):
If joint commission initiative, list other board or commission:
Is this an established work group?
☐ Yes
☐ No
Initiative description:
Strategic Priority: ☐ 1 ☐ 2 ☐ 3 ☐ 4 ☐ 5 ☐ N/A
Deliverable: ☐ Research report ☒ Summary of community input ☐ Other ☒ N/A
Target completion date:
This section to be completed by staff:
Council request (if applicable): ☐ Review and comment or reply ☐ Review and decide ☒ Informational only – no response needed
Budget required:
Staff support required:
Liaison comments:
Board and Commission
Annual work plan
5
5
Initiative name:
Initiative type:
☐ Staff support (review project,
policy or program and provide
feedback)
☐ Independent research project
☐ Gather community feedback
☐ Lead community event
Initiative origin:
☐ Applicant-initiated
☐ Staff-initiated
☐ Commission-initiated
☐ Council-initiated
Legally required (e.g. response to
Legislative changes or Judicial decisions)?
☐ Yes
☐ No
Commissioner lead(s) name(s):
If joint commission initiative, list other board or commission:
Is this an established work group?
☐ Yes
☐ No
Initiative description:
Strategic Priority: ☐ 1 ☐ 2 ☐ 3 ☐ 4 ☒ 5 ☐ N/A
Deliverable: ☐ Research report ☐ Summary of community input ☐ Other ☒ N/A
Target completion date:
This section to be completed by staff:
Council request (if applicable): ☐ Review and comment or reply ☐ Review and decide ☒ Informational only – no response needed
Budget required:
Staff support required:
Liaison comments:
Initiative Origin Definitions
Board and Commission
Annual work plan
6
• Applicant-initiated – Project initiated by 3rd party (statutory boards)
• Staff-initiated – Project initiated by staff liaison or other city staff
• Commission-initiated – Project initiated by the board or commission
• Council-initiated – Project tasked to a board or commission by the city council
Strategic Priorities
1. St. Louis Park is committed to being a leader in racial equity and inclusion in order to create a more just and inclusive community for all.
2. St. Louis Park is committed to continue to lead in environmental stewardship.
3. St. Louis Park is committed to providing a broad range of housing and neighborhood oriented development.
4. St. Louis Park is committed to providing a variety of options for people to make their way around the city comfortably, safely and
reliably.
5. St. Louis Park is committed to creating opportunities to build social capital through community engagement
Modifications
• Work plans may be modified, to add or delete items, in one of three ways:
• Work plans can be modified by mutual agreement during a joint work session.
• If immediate approval is important, the board or commission can work with their staff liaison to present a modified work plan for city
council approval at a council meeting.
• The city council can direct a change to the work plan at their discretion.
Board and Commission
Annual work plan
7
Future ideas
Initiatives that are being considered by the board or commission but not proposed in the annual work plan. Council approval is needed if the
board or commission decides they would like to amend a work plan.
Initiative Comments