2013 Annual Report - Information Technology Committee

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The South Bend Common Council Annual Report for the Information Technology Committee Date: 12/24/2013 To: The South Bend Common Council, The Office of the Clerk From: Tim Scott, 1st District Common Council Representative - Chairperson I am pleased to file this 2013 Annual Report of the Council Information & Technology in order to comply with Section 2 -10 (i) of the South Bend Municipal Code; which Code provision requires all Standing Committee Chairpersons to file an Annual Report with the Office of the City Clerk by the 2nd Monday of December. Duties: The Council Information & Technology Committee oversees the various activities related to the dissemination of Information & the implementation of Technology for the improvement of the Council, the City and how its Citizens access information and communicate with the City. 2013 Committee Members Dr. Dave Varner - Vice Chairperson, 5th District Common Council Gavin Ferlic, - At -Large Common Council Henry Davis, Jr., 2nd District Common Council Committee Meetings and Highlights: To date the IT Committee met three times in 2013 and held public hearings on the following issues: February 4, 2013. At this meeting the council received training on their Pads. The council members present were trained on getting email and downloading the meeting packets and how to do more with less paper. To date 6 council members use their Pads on a consistent basis. This report was prepared on my council Pad. This report was written on my Council Pad. March 6, 2013 the IT Committee kicked off the year discussing any legislative issues around IT issues for the city. The committee also collaborated with Keith Crain, City Information & Technology Director about how IT can better serve the Council as well as Citizens access to the city. Crain announce the IT department would develop a master plan for the city's IT department as it moves through 2013 and beyond. The goal was to have policies and procedures in place for the future of the city. In the kick off meeting it was discussed the future of Laser Fishce, its cost and return as well as limitations and the possible need for upgrades to the city's public data offered through the Laser Fishce program. The Committee discussed the need for IT improvements in Code. Also, it was discussed the budgetary costs for improvements. As Chair I stressed the need for more time and money within the budget to train city personnel on programs and how to improve through IT education and implementation. Through the IT committee Pads were distributed to each Council Members for official use. The intent to reduce paper by using electronic files and well as newer technology. With the