03-06-13 Information & Technology Committee

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Information and Technology Committee South Bend Common Council 2013 The March 6, 2013 meeting of the Information and Technology Committee was called to order by its Chairperson, 1" District Council Member Tim Scott, at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Informal Meeting Room. Persons in attendance included Council Members Gavin Ferlic and Tim Scott; IT Director Keith Crane, City Controller Mark Neal and Council Attorney Kathleen Cekanski- Farrand. Council Member Scott noted that the topic for today was for an "IT Committee Kick - Off ". He said that the Committee members include Dr. Varner who is the Vice - Chairperson, Council Member Gavin Ferlic and Council Member Henry Davis, Jr. He noted that a quorum was not present, and indicated that he would not be appointing a citizen member to the Committee at this time. He also indicated that Dr. Varner was in earlier and stated that the Committee is "doing a good job ". Council Member Scott stressed that the Committee is aiming to help implement policies, programs and procedures so that the City government is more paperless. He sees the need for more training sessions overall, and especially on the Ipads and upcoming Apple TV. Council Member Scott noted that Council Member Henry Davis, Jr. would like the Committee to look into streamlining Committee and Common Council meetings live on the Internet. Updates on the public access channel as well as from WHIT should also take place. Council Member Gavin Ferlic suggested that a single source data base which highlights items which are "unresolved" and items which are "resolved" might be helpful. IT Director Keith Crane noted that the City is looking into a program called "SharePoint ". [ "SharePoint' is shorthand to refer to one or more Microsoft SharePoint products or technologies. It provides collaborative sites to share information with others, manage documents from start to finish, and publish reports to help everyone make better decisions. Council Member Scott noted that Council Member Schey brought up pursuing ways of improving ways for Council Members to brainstorm and share information. Council Member Gavin Ferlic noted that often blogs are dominated by certain interests and that the information does not always flow well; however overall it is a form of communication. He also noted that with regard to payment on line for various City Utilities that currently a person cannot make an automatic payment without having to log on each time, and that this may also be worth pursuing. IT Director Keith Crane noted that the City is looking into PayGov.Now which was budgeted for this year. [ "PayGOV.US facilitates electronic payment for government and utility payments. The system allows for use of a credit card to pay government or utility obligations! Payment can be taken for: taxes; utility bills; tuition; licenses; times and fees. It has a four - tiered system allows a payment: Online; through an IVR; via our LIVE operators; or at the agencies counter "